WO2003021380A2 - Methods and systems for tracking store level data - Google Patents

Methods and systems for tracking store level data Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003021380A2
WO2003021380A2 PCT/US2002/025745 US0225745W WO03021380A2 WO 2003021380 A2 WO2003021380 A2 WO 2003021380A2 US 0225745 W US0225745 W US 0225745W WO 03021380 A2 WO03021380 A2 WO 03021380A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
accordance
files
data
store
bipad
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PCT/US2002/025745
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French (fr)
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WO2003021380A3 (en
WO2003021380A9 (en
Inventor
Melissa L. Harmon
Jason Flegel
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Source Interlink Companies
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Application filed by Source Interlink Companies filed Critical Source Interlink Companies
Priority to AU2002361526A priority Critical patent/AU2002361526A1/en
Publication of WO2003021380A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003021380A2/en
Publication of WO2003021380A9 publication Critical patent/WO2003021380A9/en
Publication of WO2003021380A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003021380A3/en

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a scan based magazine trading and information flow system and more particularly to a scan based magazine trading system based on scan based sales records collected from a retailer.
  • Electronic commerce deals with business entities providing business information to one another in a trading (buying/selling) process.
  • Electronic data interchange (EDI) is used in electronic commerce and is an electronic business information interchange using a public format. (Electronic Commerce at the UCC, Nersion 1.0, May 12, 1999, http://www.uc-council.org). EDI is one of several methods of payments and transactions which can be used in magazine trading (buying/selling).
  • UPC bar codes are applied on magazines.
  • a UPC code originates with the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) in that a publisher pays an annual fee to obtain UPC bar codes.
  • UPC bar codes are assigned by the publisher to a magazine issue based on a price for a magazine issue.
  • UPC bar codes facilitate trading communication between trading partners in the process of trading (buying/selling) magazines.
  • Many bar coded magazines are sold in retail store checkout lines to consumers. The scanning of bar codes on magazines allows retail businesses to greatly speed up the process of magazine checkout since the sales checkout clerks are able to input data with more speed by scanning. Further such scanning allows for collection of sales data.
  • Figure 1 is a flow chart of a known exemplary system for magazine preparation, printing, distribution and retailing.
  • Figure 2 is a hardware system diagram.
  • Figure 3 is data diagram showing files types stored in the system of Figure 2.
  • Figure 12 is an exemplary user screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 14 is an exemplary daily scan screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 16 is an exemplary chain selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 18 is an exemplary top sales selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 20 is an exemplary top sales display screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 22 is an exemplary search criteria screen for a chain for a store level data system.
  • Figure 24 is an exemplary bipad selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 26 is an exemplary issue selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 30 is an exemplary issue summary screen, for a chain, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 32 is an exemplary issue selection screen, further selecting individual retail units, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 36 is an exemplary issue summary screen, for selected stores within a chain, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 38 is an exemplary store detail screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 40 is an exemplary store detail screen, showing both draw and sale for a store level data system.
  • Figure 44 is an exemplary store detail screen, summarized and averaged by chain, for multiple issues and multiple retail outlets, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 46 is an exemplary store detail screen, summarized by date, for a single retail outlet, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 48 is an exemplary issue covers screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 50 is another exemplary bipad selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 52 is an exemplary transaction date selection screen, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 54 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 56 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen, summarized by store, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 58 is an exemplary point of sale detail screen, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 60 is an exemplary point of sale chain summary by transaction date detail screen, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 62 is another exemplary chain selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 64 is another exemplary bipad selection screen, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 66 is an exemplary bipad comparison selection screen, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 68 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen, summarized by title, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 70 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen, compared by individual outlet, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 72 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen, summarized by individual outlet and issue of bipad, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 74 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen summarized by bipad and issue.
  • Figure 76 is another exemplary chain selection screen for a store level data system.
  • Figure 78 is another exemplary bipad selection screen, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 80 is an exemplary allocation parameters screen, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 82 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen, summarized by title of bipad and issue.
  • Figure 84 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen summarized by chain, by store, by bypad, by issue.
  • Figure 86 is an exemplary sales ratio screen, comparing a primary bipad to a comparative bipad.
  • Figure 88 is a full allocation model analysis for a future issue of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Figure 90 is an exemplary allotment selection screen for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Figure 92 is an exemplary store expansion form screen for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Figure 94 is an exemplary order regulation form screen for a primary bipad.
  • Figure 96 is an exemplary allotment parameters screen for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Figure 102 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales summaries by issue screen.
  • Figure 104 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales detail, by store, by issue screen.
  • Figure 106 is an exemplary cover data user screen.
  • Figure 108 is an exemplary cover search style selection screen.
  • Figure 110 is an exemplary cover bipad selection screen.
  • Figure 112 is an exemplary cover data issue selection screen.
  • Figure 114 is an exemplary cover sales data display screen.
  • Figure 116 is an exemplary detailed sales for a selected cover screen.
  • Figure 118 is an exemplary select bipad by number selection screen.
  • Figure 120 is an exemplary issue selection screen.
  • Figure 122 is another exemplary selected issue cover display screen.
  • Figure 124 is an exemplary subject analyzer selection screen.
  • Figure 126 is an exemplary subject analyzer selection screen showing additional topics that a user may select.
  • Figure 128 is an exemplary subject analyzer selection screen showing additional selections available after a user has selected a "personalities" topic.
  • Figure 130 is an exemplary selected subject cover display screen.
  • Figure 132 is an exemplary daily sales totals screen for a selected cover.
  • a magazine trading system comprising a magazine trading system for tracking store level data.
  • a method for tracking store level data comprising a method for trading store level data; said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
  • store management system comprising a store management system having a system for tracking store level data, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
  • an enhanced magazine and trading system comprising an enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
  • Figure 1 is a flow chart of a known exemplary system for a magazine scanned based trading showing several entities involved in the trading process.
  • Printing Plant 2 symbolizes a facility printing one or more magazines or other periodicals. Magazines and other periodicals are identified by a number optionally embedded in their UPC code, the optionally embedded number being referred to herein as a bipad.
  • Publisher 4 symbolizes an entity producing editorial content for a magazine.
  • National Distributor 6 symbolizes a company distributing magazines for multiple magazine publishers. As used herein the term "distributor" includes national distributors.
  • Supplier 8 symbolizes an entity supplying magazines to individual stores by direct shipment via common carrier to a store or by delivering magazines with its fleet.
  • CPH Central Processing Hub 10): entity collecting pertinent data including magazine shipment information, scamied sales data and title information for processing invoices for scanned based trading.
  • Retail Corporate 12 symbolizes a corporate headquarters for magazine data processing for a retailer.
  • Store 14 symbolizes a store location(s) where magazines are sold through a scanning based sale system.
  • Store 14 is a part of the corporate structure of retail corporate 12.
  • Sales Clearing House 16 symbolizes an entity that could collect scanned based sale magazine data on behalf of a retailer.
  • FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a hardware system 50 used to gather and analyze data from bipads sales, bipads which are optionally embedded in UPC codes and are scanned at retailer checkouts.
  • System 50 includes a Unix server 52 which is connected to an application server 54 and a storage unit 56.
  • Application server 54 includes an interface to the Internet 58.
  • user computers 60 Also connected to Internet 58 are user computers 60 which are used to update and access sales data as further described below.
  • Computer users (not shown) update data directly through a website or by use of a sales data collection device 62 which interfaces to and communicates with user computer 60.
  • Store Level Data System 50 encompasses magazine sales data reported on a daily basis at a store level for each item scanned for magazines within one or more retail stores. This data is received daily from different sources, for example, some direct from retailers and others througli third party vendors that collect the data, for example, using devices 62, on behalf of the retailers. This data allows users (retailers, publishers, national distributors, suppliers) to analyze sales infomiation and make business decisions based on this information to create better allotments (draws) for each store within a chain, or for the chain as a whole. By creating better allotments by chain, typically higher sales volume and higher sales efficiencies result, which benefits all parties involved in the magazine production and sales process.
  • Figure 3 is data diagram 70 showing how data collected through system 50 (shown in Figure 2) is stored in storage unit 56.
  • Stored data includes security files 72, point-of-sale sales files 74, invoice files 76, retail chain files 78, dealer files 80, agency files 82, magazine title files 84, magazine issue files 86, TJPDA full files 88, alternate bipad files 90, frequency files 92, magazine cover image files 94, point-of-sale sales exception files 96, invoice exception files 98 and historical sales files 99.
  • queries There are several types of queries that can be run to access the Store Level Data information and adjust allotments. Some are preset queries, while the user defines others. The queries and allotments adjust screens described below are exemplary only. Other embodiment of screens are contemplated to be within the scope ofthe invention.
  • the Store Level Data Application is hosted on application server 54 and is accessed through an "ICN" website, which is described in pending WO 01/93059A1 (PCT/USOO/15456) published 6 December 2001, which is inco ⁇ orated herein it its entirety by reference.
  • ICN International Community Network
  • FIG. 1 See http ://www. sourceinterlink.com, www.sourc-info.com redirects to www.sourceinterlink.com.
  • Contact Source Interlink Companies 27500 Riverview Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, telephone (239) 949-4450.
  • Users are assigned a secure username and password for access the store level data system. Users are setup into groups with securities set for chains (retail chains) and titles that can be viewed for that group.
  • a group is typically a publisher, national distributor, retailer or supplier.
  • Figure 12 is an exemplary user screen 100 for a store level data system which is presented to a user upon a successful login.
  • Screen 100 in the embodiment shown, includes total records stored for point of sale - invoices and point of sale - sales.
  • Figure 14 is an exemplary daily scan screen 110 for a store level data system.
  • Screen 110 includes selections for publishers to track top magazine sales, track point of sale data comparisons for both single titles and multiple titles.
  • Screen 110 further includes links to an allotment model, both to create and review a model, as further described below. Included are links to allotment model instructions.
  • Figure 16 is an exemplary chain selection screen 120 for a store level data system.
  • Figure 18 is an exemplary top sales selection screen 130 for a store level data system which is presented to a user that has selected the top sales link shown in screen 110 (shown in Figure 14).
  • a user is able to select a start date and an end date (a sales date range) for the tracking of sales, and further, in the embodiment shown, the user can select a number of records to be viewed, for example, the top ten magazines, in retail dollars. Further and as shown in Figure 16, the user is allowed to select a chain.
  • the items are displayed in descending order based on retail dollar sales.
  • An exemplary example of such a report is top sales display screen 140 shown in Figure 20.
  • Retail dollar sales is calculated by the unit sales for the time period multiplied by the retail price of the title.
  • the columns on the report are: Ranking, Bipad, Title, Units Sold, and Retail Dollars.
  • Figure 22 is an exemplary search criteria screen 150 for a chain for a store level data system. Via screen 150, a user is able to select a retail chain from a pull down menu, and further initiate a search by one of title, bipad, and UPC code.
  • Figure 24 is an exemplary bipad selection screen 160 for a store level data system, which is presented to a user that has selected a search by bipad through screen 150 (shown in Figure 22).
  • screen 160 a user is able to select bipads (which are associated with a magazine title), and further select issues and transaction data for the selected bipad.
  • Single Title queries allow the user to select a chain then they can choose to select a title to review based on a title search by title name, a search on the bipad number of the title which is the unique identifier for the title (5 digit code), or they can search by the UPC code for the magazine.
  • the users selects the magazine they want to work with, they then decide whether they want to review the title for specific issues ofthe magazine or by a date range of sales activity. If the user selects by issue they can choose multiple issues. If the user selects by transaction date they choose a beginning date and an ending date. Once this selection is made the user has the ability to limit items on the report based on the sales levels.
  • Figure 26 is an exemplary issue selection screen 170 for a store level data system.
  • Screen 170 is configured so that a user can select one or more issues of a bipad. Further, the user is able to restrict the search to one of no restrictions, search where the bipad unit sales were more than a particular number which is user entered and a search where the bipad unit sales were less than a particular number which is user entered.
  • individual store numbers for example, within a chain can be entered. The user is able to choose the format of summaries to be presented, which can be one of by issue, by issue/store, by store/averages, by covers, by date, or by replenished stores.
  • Figure 30 is an exemplary issue summary screen 180, for a chain, for a store level data system which is presented to a user who has selected multiple issues of a single bipad within a chain through screens 160 and 170 (shown in Figures 24 and 26 respectively).
  • Figure 32 is an exemplary bipad issue selection screen 190, further selecting individual store numbers within a chain, as described above, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 36 is an exemplary issue/store summary screen 200, for selected stores within a chain, for a store level data system, presented to a user who has entered one or more store numbers into screen 190.
  • Screen 200 includes data for each store number, store address, for each selected bipad. For displayed are the draw, or allotment for each store, the number of units sold of each bipad and the efficiency (a ratio of sales to allotment).
  • Each store number, which is duplicated for each issue ofthe bipad, is configured as a selectable link, as further described below.
  • Figure 38 is an exemplary store detail screen 210 for a store level data system which is presented to a user that has selected an individual store link, and therefore issue, of a magazine, identified by a previously selected bipad.
  • Screen 210 provides a user with daily sales data for a bipad for a range of dates, within a single store of a chain. The store number and address is also provided.
  • Figure 40 is an exemplary store detail screen 220, showing both draw and sale, for a range of dates, for a single issue of a selected bipad. As in screen 210, screen 220 includes the store number and address.
  • Figure 42 is an exemplary store detail screen 230, showing both draw, sale, average invoice, average sales and efficiency for a number of issues of a selected bipad, for multiple stores within a chain.
  • screen 220 includes the store number and address.
  • Figure 44 is an exemplary store detail screen, summarized and averaged by chain, for multiple issues and multiple retail outlets, for a store level data system.
  • Figure 46 is an exemplary store detail screen 240, summarized by date, for a range of transaction dates, sales for a single chain, hi the embodiment shown data is summarized for multiple issues of a bipad. Screen 240 further provides a user with data relating to number of sales within the chain for each day and the number of stores within the chain that received the selected bipad.
  • Figure 48 is an exemplary issue covers screen 250 for a store level data system. Screen 250 is displayed when a user has selected view covers using screen 190 (shown in Figure 32).
  • Figure 50 is exemplary bipad selection screen 260 for a store level data system.
  • Screen 260 is used to select a primary bipad for review of allotment and sales data.
  • Selection of a primary bipad, as shown in screen 260, may include selection of a particular issue and transaction date (or range of dates).
  • Figure 52 is an exemplary transaction date selection screen 270, for the selected primary bipad.
  • the user is able to select a range of dates to be summarized.
  • the selected transaction date or range of dates for the primary bipad may be summarized by one of chain, store and sales data. Further, the user is able to restrict the search to one of no restrictions, search where the bipad unit sales were more than a particular number which is user entered and a search where the bipad unit sales were less than a particular number which is user entered.
  • individual store numbers for example, within a chain can be entered.
  • Figure 54 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen 280, for a transaction date selection, for a primary bipad.
  • Screen 280 provides a user a number of unit sales and the number of stores which carried the bipad.
  • Figure 56 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen 290, summarized by individual store, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad. Included in screen 290 are store numbers configured as links, addresses for each store and the number of units ofthe primary bipad sold at each store.
  • Figure 58 is an exemplary point of sale detail screen 300, for a transaction date range selection, within a chain, for a primary bipad. Included are the store address, transaction dates, days of the week, a draw and a number of sales for each date.
  • Figure 60 is an exemplary point of sale chain summary by transaction date detail screen 310, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system. Further included are a number of sales for each date and a number of stores within the chain to which the bipad was sold.
  • FIG. 62 is an exemplary chain selection screen 320 for a store level data system. Screen 320 is identical to screen 150, shown in Figure 22 and is presented for completeness in describing multiple title queries and comparisons.
  • Re-allotment modeling using the store level data system enables a user to review suggested changes to their current allotment of a specific magazine title.
  • the user may take re-allotment model presented by the store level data system and implement the changes at distribution. Once the distribution changes have been implemented by the user, the user may then review the results of the changes through the store level data system.
  • Figure 64 is an exemplary bipad selection screen 330, configured to allow a user to select or enter a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for determination of allotment and comparison of sales data. The user is further able to select issues and transaction dates for comparison.
  • Figure 66 is an exemplary bipad comparison selection screen 340, indicating that a user can select multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad for comparison.
  • restrictions on the data retrieved can be placed according to efficiency, unit sale and unit draw, and results are selectable as respect a comparison by title, by store, by store/average and by issue.
  • the user is able to restrict the search to one of no restrictions, search where the bipad unit efficiency, sales and draw were more than a particular number which is user entered and a search where the bipad unit efficiency, sales and draw were less than a particular number which is user entered.
  • Figure 68 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen 350, summarized by title, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system. Included in screen 350 are the draw, sales and efficiency for the primary and comparative bipad for a selected chain.
  • Figure 70 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen 360, compared by individual store number within a chain, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, including address information, draw, sales and efficiency data for both the primary bipad and the comparative bipad.
  • Figure 72 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen 370, presented to a user who has selected store/average from screen 340 (shown in Figure 66). Sales for the two bipads are summarized by individual outlet and issue of bipad, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad. Included address information for each store and total draw, total sales, average draw, average sales and efficiency for each bipad.
  • Figure 74 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen 380.
  • Screen 380 provides a user a summary by title of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for multiple issues of the bipads. Included in screen 380 are information relating to draw, sales and efficiency for each issue of each bipad.
  • system 50 stores a total number of allotted copies currently being distributed which can be reallocated.
  • a user enters an overall percentage increase or decrease, and a new net draw is the total draw that should be allocated, more or less copies than the publisher wants distributed can be allocated.
  • system 50 is configured to recalculate the net draw for each store according to:
  • System 50 is further configured to apply a test for a "high draw limit" which has been input by the user. If the resulting New Store Draw, as calculated above, exceeds the "high draw limit", the New Store Draw should default to the "high draw limit”. Otherwise, the computed New Store Draw as calculated above is used.
  • variable table is setup so that the limit parameters can be changed across the board if necessary.
  • hard coded variables configured the model and system 50 to help out stores with smaller sales volumes, so those stores would not loose distribution to certain stores.
  • One embodiment of such a model is as follows:
  • the else statement creates a factor to apply to each store to allocate the additional copies created by the low and high limits.
  • One embodiment of a user interface for the above described allotment model is described using the screens described below.
  • Figure 76 is an exemplary chain selection screen 390 for a store level data system.
  • Figure 78 is another exemplary bipad selection screen 400, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, to be used for allocation.
  • Figure 80 is an exemplary allocation parameters screen 410, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
  • a user accessing screen 410 selects one or more issues ofthe primary and comparative bipad, and further enters allotment parameters. Such parameters include effective issue of the to be calculated allotment, a high draw limit, a low draw limit, and a total draw increase or decrease in percent for the chain. Further a desired sales ratio of primary versus comparative bipad is entered. After entry of the data a user is able to select a modeling of the entered data to determine a new draw, as previously described. The draw, sales and efficiency of the selected issue(s) can be viewed, by title, by issue or by store.
  • Figure 82 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen 420, summarized by title of bipad, for two issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system. The draw, sales and efficiency ofthe selected issue(s) are shown
  • Figure 84 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen 430, by chain, comparing a primary bipad to a comparative bipad, for multiple store units of the chain. Included in screen 430 are address information for each store, a bipad number, and a draw, sales, and efficiency for each bipad, for each store location.
  • Figure 86 is an exemplary sales ratio screen 440, comparing sales of multiple issues of a primary bipad to the sales of a comparative bipad.
  • Screen 440 includes total sales of the multiple issues and a ratio of the sales of the primary bipad to the comparative bipad.
  • Figure 88 is a screen 450 showing full allocation model analysis for a future issue of a primary bipad within a chain.
  • Screen 450 includes, for each of multiple stores within the chain, store numbers, address information, primary bipad average draw, primary bipad average sales, primary efficiency, comparative bipad average draw, comparative bipad average sales, comparative efficiency, a primary draw reallocation, a difference (+ or -) in allocation, a primary and comparative draw reallocation, a difference (+ or -) in allocation.
  • Figure 90 is an exemplary allotment selection screen 460 for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Screen 460 helps a user in determination of an allocation of a bipad new to the store, based upon sales of the comparative bipad. The allocation is based upon previously modeled allocations, one of which is selected by the user, for use in the allocation determination for the new store.
  • Figure 92 is an exemplary store expansion form screen 470 for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Listed in screen 470 are the ratio ofthe primary (new) bipad to the comparative bipad, the average sales of the comparative bipad for each store expecting to newly carry the primary bipad, and projected sales, calculated draw, and estimated efficiency ofthe primary bipad.
  • Figure 94 is an exemplary order regulation form screen 480 for a primary bipad.
  • Screen 480 provides a user with a reallocation of a primary bipad, according to the model described above, based upon average draw, average sales, and efficiency. Further displayed are a draw reallocation and a difference between the previous draw and the reallocated draw.
  • Figure 96 is an exemplary allotment parameters screen 490 for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
  • Screen 490 provides a user with a summary report which includes the issue for which allocation has been determined, the primary and comparative bipads (single or multiple issues, which were used in determining the allocation). Further shown are the user entered high and low draw limits per store that have been entered, percent change in total draw and the sales ratio ofthe primary to comparative bipad.
  • Figure 102 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales summaries by issue screen 500.
  • Screen 500 includes bipad and issue data, and further includes a draw, sales and efficiency for each selected issue ofthe primary and comparative bipad, within the chain.
  • Figure 104 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales detail, by store, by issue screen 510.
  • Screen 510 includes bipad and issue data, and further includes a draw, sales and efficiency for each selected issue of the primary and comparative bipad, for each individual store address.
  • Figure 106 is a cover insight user screen 520 which is accessed by selecting a Covers Insight link from the left side of screen shown in Figure 14. By selecting a link on screen 520, the user is presented with search style screen 530, shown in Figure 108.
  • Figure 110 is a bipad selection screen 540 which is presented to a user that has selected the "Magazine Title(s) by Issue” link on screen 530 (shown in Figure 108). Through screen 540, the user can select a single title or multiple titles for viewing of cover data. After selecting the title(s) that the user is interested in, a "Submit" button is selected.
  • Figure 112 is a issue selection screen 550 presented to a user that has selected the "Submit” button as shown on screen 540.
  • Screen 550 allows a user to select one issue or multiple issues of the previously selected title(s) for viewing of cover data. Once issues are selected, the user clicks on the "Submit” button on screen 550 to view the actual cover data.
  • Figure 114 is a screen 560 which displays cover data for the issues selected using screen 550. All covers for the selected titles and issues are displayed for the user.
  • the cover images are stored in cover image files 94 on application server 54 (both shown in Figure 2).
  • the image file names include the bipad number and issue code for linking pu ⁇ oses.
  • the title is stored in the bipad table.
  • a cover price is stored in IPDA full file 88.
  • An On-Sale date is determined based on a date where at least 100 copies of the cover have sold. Change as compared to average information compares the sales for the selected issue to the average for the title across the entire database. In one embodiment, sales increases are displayed in green while sales decreases are displayed in red.
  • the total sales include all sales in the database across all chains and stores where there is at least one full year of consistent data from the chain.
  • screen 570 By selecting one ofthe cover images on screen 560, the user is presented with a screen 570, shown in Figure 116 to retrieve detailed sales data by date. Screen 570 provides detailed sales by day for the cover selected from screen 560 (shown in Figure 114).
  • Figure 118 is a bipad selection screen 580 presented to a user that has selected the "Magazine by Bipads" link from screen 530 (shown in Figure 108).
  • Screen 580 allows a user to key in any number of bipads separated by a comma to view the cover data for those selected bipads.
  • the "Submit” button on screen 580 the user is presented with a issue selection screen 590 which includes issue select drop down boxes as shown in Figure 120.
  • Screen 590 allows the user to select the issues for each title for which they wish to view cover data. After selecting a "Submit" button on screen 590, the user is able to view the cover and sales detail.
  • Figure 122 is such a cover detail screen 600 and is similar to screen 560 (shown in Figure 114). The covers for the selected bipads and issues are displayed including the same data as described in screen 560. The user can view sales data by selecting the cover from screen 600.
  • Figure 124 is screen 610 presented to a user that has selected the "Subject Analyzer" link on screen 530 (shown in Figure 108). All covers stored in system 50 (shown in Figure 2) are categorized based on the basic natural of the magazine, for example, Automotive, Astrology, Women's General, as well as by subject matter, for example, Personalities, World Events. They are further detailed to specific items within the general topic, for example, Presidential Election, a particular personality. Through screen 610, the user can select a broad or narrow focus for the viewing of covers.
  • the user has selected "All Categories," "Personalities" as a topic, then a specific personality, and a date range for covers which contain the personality's name or photograph, for example.
  • a user can narrow or broaden, for example a personality search by selecting one of three radio buttons, both, primary, and non-primary.
  • items, such as a particular personality are noted as Primary if they are the primary focus of the cover or secondary if they are a by-line or smaller mention on the cover for internal content matter.
  • the user may select a date range of cover data to search, indicating what sales activity to view by transaction date. For any titles/issues that have sales activity during that time period, the covers are shown.
  • Figure 126 is a screen 620 which indicates an exemplary list of topics from which the user can choose, including, but not limited to, all topics, business economics, personal recreation, personalities, political, religion, science, seasonal, self improvement, sports events, and world events.
  • Figure 128 is a screen 630, which indicates an example list of subjects from which the user can choose, in the embodiment shown the topic selected is personalities.
  • Figure 130 is a screen 640 displaying results of a particular personality search submitted as described above.
  • three title/issues were accessed. The issues all happen to be for the same title in this particular case shown.
  • Two ofthe titles where the personality was found are primary subjects, while the other title is a non-primary cover for the personality.
  • the user is presented with the sales data shown in screen 650, in Figure 132, which is the same sales data as described in screen 570 (shown in Figure 116).

Abstract

Enhanced methods and systems for tracking store level sales of periodicals, for example, magazines, to improve efficiencies in allotment between individual outlets based on re-allotment. Sales data is merged with cover data for periodicals to provide a mechanism for publishers to track, for example, personalities on the periodical cover which enhance or detract from magazine sales.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRACKING STORE LEVEL DATA
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 60/313,946 filed August 13, 2001, which is incoφorated herein in its entirety by reference.
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone ofthe patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a scan based magazine trading and information flow system and more particularly to a scan based magazine trading system based on scan based sales records collected from a retailer.
[0003] Electronic commerce deals with business entities providing business information to one another in a trading (buying/selling) process. Electronic data interchange (EDI) is used in electronic commerce and is an electronic business information interchange using a public format. (Electronic Commerce at the UCC, Nersion 1.0, May 12, 1999, http://www.uc-council.org). EDI is one of several methods of payments and transactions which can be used in magazine trading (buying/selling).
[0004] Magazines are published on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis called issues. Universal Product Code (UPC) bar codes are applied on magazines. A UPC code originates with the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) in that a publisher pays an annual fee to obtain UPC bar codes. UPC bar codes are assigned by the publisher to a magazine issue based on a price for a magazine issue. UPC bar codes facilitate trading communication between trading partners in the process of trading (buying/selling) magazines. Many bar coded magazines are sold in retail store checkout lines to consumers. The scanning of bar codes on magazines allows retail businesses to greatly speed up the process of magazine checkout since the sales checkout clerks are able to input data with more speed by scanning. Further such scanning allows for collection of sales data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a known exemplary system for magazine preparation, printing, distribution and retailing.
[0006] Figure 2 is a hardware system diagram.
[0007] Figure 3 is data diagram showing files types stored in the system of Figure 2.
[0008] Figure 12 is an exemplary user screen for a store level data system.
[0009] Figure 14 is an exemplary daily scan screen for a store level data system.
[0010] Figure 16 is an exemplary chain selection screen for a store level data system.
[0011] Figure 18 is an exemplary top sales selection screen for a store level data system.
[0012] Figure 20 is an exemplary top sales display screen for a store level data system.
[0013] Figure 22 is an exemplary search criteria screen for a chain for a store level data system. [0014] Figure 24 is an exemplary bipad selection screen for a store level data system.
[0015] Figure 26 is an exemplary issue selection screen for a store level data system.
[0016] Figure 30 is an exemplary issue summary screen, for a chain, for a store level data system.
[0017] Figure 32 is an exemplary issue selection screen, further selecting individual retail units, for a store level data system.
[0018] Figure 36 is an exemplary issue summary screen, for selected stores within a chain, for a store level data system.
[0019] Figure 38 is an exemplary store detail screen for a store level data system.
[0020] Figure 40 is an exemplary store detail screen, showing both draw and sale for a store level data system.
[0021] Figure 44 is an exemplary store detail screen, summarized and averaged by chain, for multiple issues and multiple retail outlets, for a store level data system.
[0022] Figure 46 is an exemplary store detail screen, summarized by date, for a single retail outlet, for a store level data system.
[0023] Figure 48 is an exemplary issue covers screen for a store level data system.
[0024] Figure 50 is another exemplary bipad selection screen for a store level data system. [0025] Figure 52 is an exemplary transaction date selection screen, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
[0026] Figure 54 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
[0027] Figure 56 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen, summarized by store, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
[0028] Figure 58 is an exemplary point of sale detail screen, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
[0029] Figure 60 is an exemplary point of sale chain summary by transaction date detail screen, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system.
[0030] Figure 62 is another exemplary chain selection screen for a store level data system.
[0031] Figure 64 is another exemplary bipad selection screen, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
[0032] Figure 66 is an exemplary bipad comparison selection screen, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
[0033] Figure 68 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen, summarized by title, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
[0034] Figure 70 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen, compared by individual outlet, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system. [0035] Figure 72 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen, summarized by individual outlet and issue of bipad, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
[0036] Figure 74 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen summarized by bipad and issue.
[0037] Figure 76 is another exemplary chain selection screen for a store level data system.
[0038] Figure 78 is another exemplary bipad selection screen, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
[0039] Figure 80 is an exemplary allocation parameters screen, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system.
[0040] Figure 82 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen, summarized by title of bipad and issue.
[0041] Figure 84 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen summarized by chain, by store, by bypad, by issue.
[0042] Figure 86 is an exemplary sales ratio screen, comparing a primary bipad to a comparative bipad.
[0043] Figure 88 is a full allocation model analysis for a future issue of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
[0044] Figure 90 is an exemplary allotment selection screen for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
[0045] Figure 92 is an exemplary store expansion form screen for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad. [0046] Figure 94 is an exemplary order regulation form screen for a primary bipad.
[0047] Figure 96 is an exemplary allotment parameters screen for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad.
[0048] Figure 102 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales summaries by issue screen.
[0049] Figure 104 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales detail, by store, by issue screen.
[0050] Figure 106 is an exemplary cover data user screen.
[0051] Figure 108 is an exemplary cover search style selection screen.
[0052] Figure 110 is an exemplary cover bipad selection screen.
[0053] Figure 112 is an exemplary cover data issue selection screen.
[0054] Figure 114 is an exemplary cover sales data display screen.
[0055] Figure 116 is an exemplary detailed sales for a selected cover screen.
[0056] Figure 118 is an exemplary select bipad by number selection screen.
[0057] Figure 120 is an exemplary issue selection screen.
[0058] Figure 122 is another exemplary selected issue cover display screen.
[0059] Figure 124 is an exemplary subject analyzer selection screen. [0060] Figure 126 is an exemplary subject analyzer selection screen showing additional topics that a user may select.
[0061] Figure 128 is an exemplary subject analyzer selection screen showing additional selections available after a user has selected a "personalities" topic.
[0062] Figure 130 is an exemplary selected subject cover display screen.
[0063] Figure 132 is an exemplary daily sales totals screen for a selected cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0064] In an aspect a magazine trading system is provided comprising a magazine trading system for tracking store level data.
[0065] In another aspect, a method for tracking store level data is provided comprising a method for trading store level data; said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
[0066] hi another aspect, with store management system is provided, said system comprising a store management system having a system for tracking store level data, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
[0067] In another aspect, an enhanced magazine and trading system is provided, said system comprising an enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0068] More in particular, Figure 1 is a flow chart of a known exemplary system for a magazine scanned based trading showing several entities involved in the trading process. Printing Plant 2 symbolizes a facility printing one or more magazines or other periodicals. Magazines and other periodicals are identified by a number optionally embedded in their UPC code, the optionally embedded number being referred to herein as a bipad. Publisher 4 symbolizes an entity producing editorial content for a magazine. National Distributor 6 symbolizes a company distributing magazines for multiple magazine publishers. As used herein the term "distributor" includes national distributors. Supplier 8 symbolizes an entity supplying magazines to individual stores by direct shipment via common carrier to a store or by delivering magazines with its fleet. CPH (Central Processing Hub 10): entity collecting pertinent data including magazine shipment information, scamied sales data and title information for processing invoices for scanned based trading. Retail Corporate 12 symbolizes a corporate headquarters for magazine data processing for a retailer.
[0069] Store 14 symbolizes a store location(s) where magazines are sold through a scanning based sale system. Store 14 is a part of the corporate structure of retail corporate 12. Sales Clearing House 16 symbolizes an entity that could collect scanned based sale magazine data on behalf of a retailer.
[0070] Present systems includes drawbacks as to how a publishers bipads are allocated amongst various retailers, referred to in the industry as a draw or allotment. In addition, no sales-centric systems are known which use sales data to drive magazine content.
[0071] Figure 2 is one embodiment of a hardware system 50 used to gather and analyze data from bipads sales, bipads which are optionally embedded in UPC codes and are scanned at retailer checkouts. System 50 includes a Unix server 52 which is connected to an application server 54 and a storage unit 56. Application server 54 includes an interface to the Internet 58. Also connected to Internet 58 are user computers 60 which are used to update and access sales data as further described below. Computer users (not shown) update data directly through a website or by use of a sales data collection device 62 which interfaces to and communicates with user computer 60.
[0072] Store Level Data System 50 encompasses magazine sales data reported on a daily basis at a store level for each item scanned for magazines within one or more retail stores. This data is received daily from different sources, for example, some direct from retailers and others througli third party vendors that collect the data, for example, using devices 62, on behalf of the retailers. This data allows users (retailers, publishers, national distributors, suppliers) to analyze sales infomiation and make business decisions based on this information to create better allotments (draws) for each store within a chain, or for the chain as a whole. By creating better allotments by chain, typically higher sales volume and higher sales efficiencies result, which benefits all parties involved in the magazine production and sales process.
[0073] Figure 3 is data diagram 70 showing how data collected through system 50 (shown in Figure 2) is stored in storage unit 56. Stored data includes security files 72, point-of-sale sales files 74, invoice files 76, retail chain files 78, dealer files 80, agency files 82, magazine title files 84, magazine issue files 86, TJPDA full files 88, alternate bipad files 90, frequency files 92, magazine cover image files 94, point-of-sale sales exception files 96, invoice exception files 98 and historical sales files 99.
[0074] There are several types of queries that can be run to access the Store Level Data information and adjust allotments. Some are preset queries, while the user defines others. The queries and allotments adjust screens described below are exemplary only. Other embodiment of screens are contemplated to be within the scope ofthe invention.
[0075] The Store Level Data Application is hosted on application server 54 and is accessed through an "ICN" website, which is described in pending WO 01/93059A1 (PCT/USOO/15456) published 6 December 2001, which is incoφorated herein it its entirety by reference. (See http ://www. sourceinterlink.com, www.sourc-info.com redirects to www.sourceinterlink.com.) Contact Source Interlink Companies, 27500 Riverview Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, telephone (239) 949-4450. Users are assigned a secure username and password for access the store level data system. Users are setup into groups with securities set for chains (retail chains) and titles that can be viewed for that group. A group is typically a publisher, national distributor, retailer or supplier.
[0076] Figure 12 is an exemplary user screen 100 for a store level data system which is presented to a user upon a successful login. Screen 100, in the embodiment shown, includes total records stored for point of sale - invoices and point of sale - sales.
[0077] Figure 14 is an exemplary daily scan screen 110 for a store level data system. Screen 110 includes selections for publishers to track top magazine sales, track point of sale data comparisons for both single titles and multiple titles. Screen 110 further includes links to an allotment model, both to create and review a model, as further described below. Included are links to allotment model instructions.
[0078] Figure 16 is an exemplary chain selection screen 120 for a store level data system.
[0079] Figure 18 is an exemplary top sales selection screen 130 for a store level data system which is presented to a user that has selected the top sales link shown in screen 110 (shown in Figure 14). A user is able to select a start date and an end date (a sales date range) for the tracking of sales, and further, in the embodiment shown, the user can select a number of records to be viewed, for example, the top ten magazines, in retail dollars. Further and as shown in Figure 16, the user is allowed to select a chain.
[0080] Once the user submits the query, the items are displayed in descending order based on retail dollar sales. An exemplary example of such a report is top sales display screen 140 shown in Figure 20. Retail dollar sales is calculated by the unit sales for the time period multiplied by the retail price of the title. The columns on the report are: Ranking, Bipad, Title, Units Sold, and Retail Dollars.
[0081] Figure 22 is an exemplary search criteria screen 150 for a chain for a store level data system. Via screen 150, a user is able to select a retail chain from a pull down menu, and further initiate a search by one of title, bipad, and UPC code.
[0082] Figure 24 is an exemplary bipad selection screen 160 for a store level data system, which is presented to a user that has selected a search by bipad through screen 150 (shown in Figure 22). Using screen 160, a user is able to select bipads (which are associated with a magazine title), and further select issues and transaction data for the selected bipad.
[0083] Single Title queries allow the user to select a chain then they can choose to select a title to review based on a title search by title name, a search on the bipad number of the title which is the unique identifier for the title (5 digit code), or they can search by the UPC code for the magazine. Once the users selects the magazine they want to work with, they then decide whether they want to review the title for specific issues ofthe magazine or by a date range of sales activity. If the user selects by issue they can choose multiple issues. If the user selects by transaction date they choose a beginning date and an ending date. Once this selection is made the user has the ability to limit items on the report based on the sales levels. They can choose to have no restrictions or they can limit items by selecting a number and requesting items greater than or less than that number of units within a store. The user can then select to see particular stores. There are three report options from this report type: Summarized by Chain, Summarized by Store, Summarized by Date. Summarized by Chain gives one total for the chain. Summarized by Store gives the total by store. Summarized by Date gives the totals by each date. Items on these reports include, draw (number of copies going into the store), copies sold, number of stores receiving the magazine. Single title queries are summarized in the screens in Figures 26 - which follow.
[0084] Figure 26 is an exemplary issue selection screen 170 for a store level data system. Screen 170 is configured so that a user can select one or more issues of a bipad. Further, the user is able to restrict the search to one of no restrictions, search where the bipad unit sales were more than a particular number which is user entered and a search where the bipad unit sales were less than a particular number which is user entered. In addition, individual store numbers, for example, within a chain can be entered. The user is able to choose the format of summaries to be presented, which can be one of by issue, by issue/store, by store/averages, by covers, by date, or by replenished stores.
[0085] 'Figure 30 is an exemplary issue summary screen 180, for a chain, for a store level data system which is presented to a user who has selected multiple issues of a single bipad within a chain through screens 160 and 170 (shown in Figures 24 and 26 respectively).
[0086] Figure 32 is an exemplary bipad issue selection screen 190, further selecting individual store numbers within a chain, as described above, for a store level data system.
[0087] Figure 36 is an exemplary issue/store summary screen 200, for selected stores within a chain, for a store level data system, presented to a user who has entered one or more store numbers into screen 190. Screen 200 includes data for each store number, store address, for each selected bipad. For displayed are the draw, or allotment for each store, the number of units sold of each bipad and the efficiency (a ratio of sales to allotment). Each store number, which is duplicated for each issue ofthe bipad, is configured as a selectable link, as further described below.
[0088] Figure 38 is an exemplary store detail screen 210 for a store level data system which is presented to a user that has selected an individual store link, and therefore issue, of a magazine, identified by a previously selected bipad. Screen 210 provides a user with daily sales data for a bipad for a range of dates, within a single store of a chain. The store number and address is also provided.
[0089] Figure 40 is an exemplary store detail screen 220, showing both draw and sale, for a range of dates, for a single issue of a selected bipad. As in screen 210, screen 220 includes the store number and address.
[0090] Figure 42 is an exemplary store detail screen 230, showing both draw, sale, average invoice, average sales and efficiency for a number of issues of a selected bipad, for multiple stores within a chain. As in screen 210, screen 220 includes the store number and address.
[0091] Figure 44 is an exemplary store detail screen, summarized and averaged by chain, for multiple issues and multiple retail outlets, for a store level data system.
[0092] Figure 46 is an exemplary store detail screen 240, summarized by date, for a range of transaction dates, sales for a single chain, hi the embodiment shown data is summarized for multiple issues of a bipad. Screen 240 further provides a user with data relating to number of sales within the chain for each day and the number of stores within the chain that received the selected bipad.
[0093] Figure 48 is an exemplary issue covers screen 250 for a store level data system. Screen 250 is displayed when a user has selected view covers using screen 190 (shown in Figure 32).
[0094] Figure 50 is exemplary bipad selection screen 260 for a store level data system. Screen 260 is used to select a primary bipad for review of allotment and sales data. Selection of a primary bipad, as shown in screen 260, may include selection of a particular issue and transaction date (or range of dates).
[0095] Figure 52 is an exemplary transaction date selection screen 270, for the selected primary bipad. The user is able to select a range of dates to be summarized. The selected transaction date or range of dates for the primary bipad may be summarized by one of chain, store and sales data. Further, the user is able to restrict the search to one of no restrictions, search where the bipad unit sales were more than a particular number which is user entered and a search where the bipad unit sales were less than a particular number which is user entered. In addition, individual store numbers, for example, within a chain can be entered.
[0096] Figure 54 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen 280, for a transaction date selection, for a primary bipad. Screen 280 provides a user a number of unit sales and the number of stores which carried the bipad.
[0097] Figure 56 is an exemplary point of sale - chain summary screen 290, summarized by individual store, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad. Included in screen 290 are store numbers configured as links, addresses for each store and the number of units ofthe primary bipad sold at each store.
[0098] Figure 58 is an exemplary point of sale detail screen 300, for a transaction date range selection, within a chain, for a primary bipad. Included are the store address, transaction dates, days of the week, a draw and a number of sales for each date.
[0099] Figure 60 is an exemplary point of sale chain summary by transaction date detail screen 310, for a transaction date selection, for a single bipad, for a store level data system. Further included are a number of sales for each date and a number of stores within the chain to which the bipad was sold.
[00100] Multiple Title queries are similar to the Single Title queries described above except the user is allowed to select two magazine titles (or bipads) and system 50 (shown in Figure 2) generates and displays comparative reports for the two titles. The generation and display of the comparative reports are summarized in the screen which follow. [00101] Figure 62 is an exemplary chain selection screen 320 for a store level data system. Screen 320 is identical to screen 150, shown in Figure 22 and is presented for completeness in describing multiple title queries and comparisons.
[00102] Re-allotment modeling using the store level data system enables a user to review suggested changes to their current allotment of a specific magazine title. The user may take re-allotment model presented by the store level data system and implement the changes at distribution. Once the distribution changes have been implemented by the user, the user may then review the results of the changes through the store level data system.
[00103] Figure 64 is an exemplary bipad selection screen 330, configured to allow a user to select or enter a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for determination of allotment and comparison of sales data. The user is further able to select issues and transaction dates for comparison.
[00104] Figure 66 is an exemplary bipad comparison selection screen 340, indicating that a user can select multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad for comparison. For both the primary and comparative bipad, restrictions on the data retrieved can be placed according to efficiency, unit sale and unit draw, and results are selectable as respect a comparison by title, by store, by store/average and by issue. Further, the user is able to restrict the search to one of no restrictions, search where the bipad unit efficiency, sales and draw were more than a particular number which is user entered and a search where the bipad unit efficiency, sales and draw were less than a particular number which is user entered.
[00105] Figure 68 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen 350, summarized by title, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system. Included in screen 350 are the draw, sales and efficiency for the primary and comparative bipad for a selected chain.
[00106] Figure 70 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen 360, compared by individual store number within a chain, for multiple issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, including address information, draw, sales and efficiency data for both the primary bipad and the comparative bipad.
[00107] Figure 72 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen 370, presented to a user who has selected store/average from screen 340 (shown in Figure 66). Sales for the two bipads are summarized by individual outlet and issue of bipad, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad. Included address information for each store and total draw, total sales, average draw, average sales and efficiency for each bipad.
[00108] Figure 74 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen 380. Screen 380 provides a user a summary by title of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for multiple issues of the bipads. Included in screen 380 are information relating to draw, sales and efficiency for each issue of each bipad.
[00109] Data relating to sales, draw and efficiency of primary and comparative bipads has spurred development of other applications implemented on system 50 (shown in Figure 2), including an allotment model.
[00110] To reallocate the draw based on a titles own performance, system 50 stores a total number of allotted copies currently being distributed which can be reallocated. A user enters an overall percentage increase or decrease, and a new net draw is the total draw that should be allocated, more or less copies than the publisher wants distributed can be allocated.
[00111] To model a re-allotment process, system 50 is configured to recalculate the net draw for each store according to:
(Store Average Sale / Chain Average Efficiency) x Net Draw Increase (Decrease) = New Store Draw, where the Net Draw Increase(Decrease) comes from an input screen (described below). If the input screen is left blank or zero (0) system 50 is configured to multiply by one (1). [00112] If the New Store Draw is less than a "low draw limit" which is also entered into the input screen, then the New Store Draw is set to zero (0), otherwise the computed New Store Draw is used.
[00113] System 50 is further configured to apply a test for a "high draw limit" which has been input by the user. If the resulting New Store Draw, as calculated above, exceeds the "high draw limit", the New Store Draw should default to the "high draw limit". Otherwise, the computed New Store Draw as calculated above is used.
[00114] Further it is necessary to allocate any excess copies picked up due to the removal of Draw due to the user entered "low draw limit" and "high draw limit" parameters, i one embodiment, a variable table is setup so that the limit parameters can be changed across the board if necessary. These hard coded variables configured the model and system 50 to help out stores with smaller sales volumes, so those stores would not loose distribution to certain stores. One embodiment of such a model is as follows:
If Store Average Efficiency < Chain Average Efficiency
And Store Average Efficiency > 0.25
And Aver Store Unit Sale < 3
And Aver Store Unit Draw < Low Draw Limit,
Then New Store Draw = New Store Draw
Else
(Total Chain Average Draw Increase(Decrease)%) / Current Total Reallocation Draw
[00115] The else statement creates a factor to apply to each store to allocate the additional copies created by the low and high limits. [00116] One embodiment of a user interface for the above described allotment model is described using the screens described below.
[00117] Figure 76 is an exemplary chain selection screen 390 for a store level data system.
[00118] Figure 78 is another exemplary bipad selection screen 400, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, to be used for allocation.
[00119] Figure 80 is an exemplary allocation parameters screen 410, for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system. A user accessing screen 410 selects one or more issues ofthe primary and comparative bipad, and further enters allotment parameters. Such parameters include effective issue of the to be calculated allotment, a high draw limit, a low draw limit, and a total draw increase or decrease in percent for the chain. Further a desired sales ratio of primary versus comparative bipad is entered. After entry of the data a user is able to select a modeling of the entered data to determine a new draw, as previously described. The draw, sales and efficiency of the selected issue(s) can be viewed, by title, by issue or by store.
[00120] Figure 82 is another exemplary bipad comparison screen 420, summarized by title of bipad, for two issues of a primary bipad and a comparative bipad, for a store level data system. The draw, sales and efficiency ofthe selected issue(s) are shown
[00121] Figure 84 is an exemplary bipad comparison screen 430, by chain, comparing a primary bipad to a comparative bipad, for multiple store units of the chain. Included in screen 430 are address information for each store, a bipad number, and a draw, sales, and efficiency for each bipad, for each store location.
[00122] Figure 86 is an exemplary sales ratio screen 440, comparing sales of multiple issues of a primary bipad to the sales of a comparative bipad. Screen 440 includes total sales of the multiple issues and a ratio of the sales of the primary bipad to the comparative bipad.
[00123] Figure 88 is a screen 450 showing full allocation model analysis for a future issue of a primary bipad within a chain. Screen 450 includes, for each of multiple stores within the chain, store numbers, address information, primary bipad average draw, primary bipad average sales, primary efficiency, comparative bipad average draw, comparative bipad average sales, comparative efficiency, a primary draw reallocation, a difference (+ or -) in allocation, a primary and comparative draw reallocation, a difference (+ or -) in allocation.
[00124] Figure 90 is an exemplary allotment selection screen 460 for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad. Screen 460 helps a user in determination of an allocation of a bipad new to the store, based upon sales of the comparative bipad. The allocation is based upon previously modeled allocations, one of which is selected by the user, for use in the allocation determination for the new store.
[00125] Figure 92 is an exemplary store expansion form screen 470 for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad. Listed in screen 470, are the ratio ofthe primary (new) bipad to the comparative bipad, the average sales of the comparative bipad for each store expecting to newly carry the primary bipad, and projected sales, calculated draw, and estimated efficiency ofthe primary bipad.
[00126] Figure 94 is an exemplary order regulation form screen 480 for a primary bipad. Screen 480 provides a user with a reallocation of a primary bipad, according to the model described above, based upon average draw, average sales, and efficiency. Further displayed are a draw reallocation and a difference between the previous draw and the reallocated draw.
[00127] Figure 96 is an exemplary allotment parameters screen 490 for a primary bipad and a comparative bipad. Screen 490 provides a user with a summary report which includes the issue for which allocation has been determined, the primary and comparative bipads (single or multiple issues, which were used in determining the allocation). Further shown are the user entered high and low draw limits per store that have been entered, percent change in total draw and the sales ratio ofthe primary to comparative bipad.
[00128] Figure 102 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales summaries by issue screen 500. Screen 500 includes bipad and issue data, and further includes a draw, sales and efficiency for each selected issue ofthe primary and comparative bipad, within the chain.
[00129] Figure 104 is an exemplary primary and comparative bipad chain sales detail, by store, by issue screen 510. Screen 510 includes bipad and issue data, and further includes a draw, sales and efficiency for each selected issue of the primary and comparative bipad, for each individual store address.
[00130] Data relating to sales, draw and efficiency of primary and comparative bipads has spurred development of other applications implemented on system 50 (shown in Figure 2), including a magazine cover productivity product, h such a product the above described data is linked to an image ofthe cover for the issue of magazine. Coupling such data allows users to determine relative success or failure of a cover for a particular magazine. Covers can be compared at the same time and see real-time sales information for each cover. The comparison benefits publishers so that they can decide whether to bring back a particular personality to a cover to try and increase sales. The publishers can also decide when it is time to stop using a particular .personality. The product is described using the screens described below.
[00131] Figure 106 is a cover insight user screen 520 which is accessed by selecting a Covers Insight link from the left side of screen shown in Figure 14. By selecting a link on screen 520, the user is presented with search style screen 530, shown in Figure 108.
[00132] Via screen 530 a user can select and view the cover information for selected magazines in three ways "Magazine Title(s) by Issue", "Magazines by Bipads" and "Subject Analyzer". [00133] Figure 110 is a bipad selection screen 540 which is presented to a user that has selected the "Magazine Title(s) by Issue" link on screen 530 (shown in Figure 108). Through screen 540, the user can select a single title or multiple titles for viewing of cover data. After selecting the title(s) that the user is interested in, a "Submit" button is selected.
[00134] Figure 112 is a issue selection screen 550 presented to a user that has selected the "Submit" button as shown on screen 540. Screen 550 allows a user to select one issue or multiple issues of the previously selected title(s) for viewing of cover data. Once issues are selected, the user clicks on the "Submit" button on screen 550 to view the actual cover data.
[00135] Figure 114 is a screen 560 which displays cover data for the issues selected using screen 550. All covers for the selected titles and issues are displayed for the user. In one embodiment, the cover images are stored in cover image files 94 on application server 54 (both shown in Figure 2). The image file names include the bipad number and issue code for linking puφoses. The title is stored in the bipad table. A cover price is stored in IPDA full file 88. An On-Sale date is determined based on a date where at least 100 copies of the cover have sold. Change as compared to average information compares the sales for the selected issue to the average for the title across the entire database. In one embodiment, sales increases are displayed in green while sales decreases are displayed in red. The total sales include all sales in the database across all chains and stores where there is at least one full year of consistent data from the chain.
[00136] By selecting one ofthe cover images on screen 560, the user is presented with a screen 570, shown in Figure 116 to retrieve detailed sales data by date. Screen 570 provides detailed sales by day for the cover selected from screen 560 (shown in Figure 114).
[00137] Figure 118 is a bipad selection screen 580 presented to a user that has selected the "Magazine by Bipads" link from screen 530 (shown in Figure 108). Screen 580 allows a user to key in any number of bipads separated by a comma to view the cover data for those selected bipads. By selecting the "Submit" button on screen 580, the user is presented with a issue selection screen 590 which includes issue select drop down boxes as shown in Figure 120.
[00138] Screen 590 allows the user to select the issues for each title for which they wish to view cover data. After selecting a "Submit" button on screen 590, the user is able to view the cover and sales detail. Figure 122 is such a cover detail screen 600 and is similar to screen 560 (shown in Figure 114). The covers for the selected bipads and issues are displayed including the same data as described in screen 560. The user can view sales data by selecting the cover from screen 600.
[00139] Figure 124 is screen 610 presented to a user that has selected the "Subject Analyzer" link on screen 530 (shown in Figure 108). All covers stored in system 50 (shown in Figure 2) are categorized based on the basic natural of the magazine, for example, Automotive, Astrology, Women's General, as well as by subject matter, for example, Personalities, World Events. They are further detailed to specific items within the general topic, for example, Presidential Election, a particular personality. Through screen 610, the user can select a broad or narrow focus for the viewing of covers.
[00140] As shown in screen 610 the user has selected "All Categories," "Personalities" as a topic, then a specific personality, and a date range for covers which contain the personality's name or photograph, for example. A user can narrow or broaden, for example a personality search by selecting one of three radio buttons, both, primary, and non-primary. During the categorization of each cover, items, such as a particular personality, are noted as Primary if they are the primary focus of the cover or secondary if they are a by-line or smaller mention on the cover for internal content matter. As stated above, the user may select a date range of cover data to search, indicating what sales activity to view by transaction date. For any titles/issues that have sales activity during that time period, the covers are shown. If cover is stored, but there has not been sales activity for the cover, the cover is not shown in the output. [00141] Figure 126 is a screen 620 which indicates an exemplary list of topics from which the user can choose, including, but not limited to, all topics, business economics, personal recreation, personalities, political, religion, science, seasonal, self improvement, sports events, and world events.
[00142] Figure 128 is a screen 630, which indicates an example list of subjects from which the user can choose, in the embodiment shown the topic selected is personalities.
[00143] Figure 130 is a screen 640 displaying results of a particular personality search submitted as described above. In the embodiment shown, three title/issues were accessed. The issues all happen to be for the same title in this particular case shown. Two ofthe titles where the personality was found are primary subjects, while the other title is a non-primary cover for the personality. By selecting one of the covers, for example the center cover, the user is presented with the sales data shown in screen 650, in Figure 132, which is the same sales data as described in screen 570 (shown in Figure 116).
[00144] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope ofthe claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A magazine trading system for tracking store level data, based on a re-allotment process, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale to a store.
2. A system in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said magazine sales data is collected on a daily basis.
3. A system in accordance with Claim 2, wherein said data is gathered and analyzed from bipad and sales, and said re-allotment process recalculates a net draw for each store.
4. A system in accordance with Claim 3, wherein said data is received from different sources. And said reallocation is calculated as new store draw as (store average sale/chain average efficiency) x new draw increase (Decrease).
5. A system in accordance with Claim 4, wherein said different sources include at lease one source selected from retailers and third party vendors.
6. A system in accordance with Claim 5, wherein said data collected include at least one or more security files, point of sale files, invoice files, retail chain files, dealer files, agency files, magazine title files, IPDA files, alternate bipad files, frequency files, magazine cover image files, point of sale exception files, invoice exception file and historical sales files.
7. A system in accordance with Claim 5, wherein said system includes using preset queries to obtain retailed data.
8. A system in accordance with Claim 7 wherein sales data is collected for analysis from at lease one of publication, retailer and supplier.
9. A system in accordance with Claim 8 wherein said data is collected from a publisher.
10. A system in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said data is collected from a retailer.
11. A system in accordance with Claim 10, wherein said data is collected from a supplier.
12. A system in accordance with Claim 5 wherein a user of said system selected a start date and an end date and selected a number of records for review.
13. A system in accordance with Claim 12 wherein aid users obtains a response to a query wherein said response comprises a report.
14. A system in accordance with Claim 13 wherein said report comprises at least one of ranking, bipad title, units sold and retail dollars.
15. A method for providing store level data; based on a re- allotment process, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
16. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said magazine sales data is collected on a daily basis.
17. A method in accordance with Claim 15, wherein said data is gathered and analyzed from bipad and sales, and said re-allotment process recalculates a new draw for each store.
18. A method in accordance with Claim 17, wherein said data is received from different sources. And said reallocation is calculated as new store draw as (store average sale/chain average efficiency) x new draw increase (decrease).
19. A method in accordance with Claim 19, wherein said different sources mclude at lease one source selected from retailers and third party vendors.
20. A method in accordance with Claim 19, wherein said data collected include at least one or more security files, point of sale files, invoice files, retail chain files, dealer files, agency files, magazine title files, IPDA files, alternate cover files, frequency files, magazine bipad image files, point of sale exception files, invoice exception file and historical sales files.
21. A method in accordance with Claim 15, wherein said system includes using preset queries to obtain retailed data.
22. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein sales data is collected for analysis from at lease one of publication, retailer and supplier.
23. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said data is collected from a publisher.
24. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said data is collected from a retailer.
25. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said data is collected from a supplier.
26. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein a user of said system selected a start date and an end date and selected a number of records for review.
27. A method in accordance with Claim 15 wherein aid users obtains a response to a query wherein said response comprises a report.
28. A method for trading store level data; in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said report comprises at least one of ranking, bipad, title, units sold and retail dollars.
29. A method in accordance with Claim 28 wherein said report comprises ranking.
30. A store management system having a system for tracking store level data, based on a re-allotment process, said system comprising collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
31. A store management system in accordance with Claim 30 wherein said magazine sales data is collected on a daily basis.
32. A store management system in accordance with Claim 30, wherein said data is gathered and analyzed from bipad and sales. And said re- allotment process recalculates a new draw for each store.
33. A store management system in accordance with Claim 30, wherein said data is received from different sources. And said reallocation is calculated as new store draw as (store aver sale/chain average efficiency) x new draw increase (decrease).
34. A store management system in accordance with Claim 30, wherein said different sources including at least one source selected from retailers and third party vendors.
35. A store management system in accordance with Claim 30 with Claim 5, wherein said data collected include at least one or more security files, point of sale files, invoice files, retail chain files, dealer files, agency files, magazine title files, IPDA files, alternate bipad files, frequency files, magazine cover image files, point of sale exception files, invoice exception file and historical sales files.
36. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35, wherein said system includes using preset queries to obtain retailed data.
37. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35 wherein sales data is collected for analysis from at least one of publisher, retailer and supplier.
38. A store management in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said data is collected from a publisher.
39. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35, wherein said data is collected from a retailer.
40. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35, wherein said data is collected from a supplier.
41. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35 wherein a user of said system selected a start date and an end date and selected a number of records for review.
42. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35 wherein aid users obtains a response to a query wherein said response comprises a report.
43. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said report comprises at least one of ranking, bipad, title, units sold and retail dollars.
44. A store management system in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said report is an analysis of said ranking.
45. An enhanced magazine allotment and trading system based on a re-allotment process, said system comprising means for collecting store level sales data, and analyzing said collected data to provide an allotment of store magazines for sale.
46. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading based on a re- allotment process system, in accordance with Claim 45 for collecting sales data on a daily basis.
47. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said data is gathered and analyzed from bipad and sales.
48. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said data is received from different sources. And said re-allotment process recalculates a new draw for each store.
49. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said different sources include at lease one source selected from retailers and third party vendors.
50. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said data collected include at least one or more security files, point of sale files, invoice files, retail chain files, dealer files, agency files, magazine title files, PDA files, alternate bipad files, frequency files, magazine cover image files, point of sale exception files, invoice exception file and historical sales files.
51. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said system includes using preset queries to obtain retailed data.
52. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45 wherein sales data is collected for analysis from at lease one of publisher, retailer and supplier.
53. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45 wherein said data is collected from a publisher.
54. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said data is collected from a retailer.
55. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45, wherein said data is collected from a supplier.
56. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45 wherein a user of said system selected a start date and an end date and selected a number of records for review.
57. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45 wherein users obtains a response to a query wherein said response comprises a report.
58. An enhanced magazine allocation and trading system, in accordance with Claim 45 wherein said report comprises at least one of ranking, bipad, title, units sold and retail dollars.
PCT/US2002/025745 2001-08-13 2002-08-13 Methods and systems for tracking store level data WO2003021380A2 (en)

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