Budget planner for softlines

US9189816B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Paul J. Walsh · Salt Lake City, US
• Paul J. Gardner · Shoreline, US
• Lars H. Liden · Seattle, US
• Samuel Ytzhak Donnelley · Auburn, US
• Graham T. Rosser · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 14, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/12
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Various approaches described herein enable various types of users, such as finance managers, vendors, and vendor managers to access up-to-date information in a retail environment that can assist with obtaining and tracking various items to be offered through that environment. A budget planner can analyze information such as historical performance, projection, and vendor data to establish a budget plan for various providers for a particular period. The budget information is fed to an assortment planner, which can use similar and other types of information to allocate that budget across various types and styles of item for each provider. A commitment tracker enables a user to commit to at least some portion of the allocation for various items, and track how well the orders are filled. Information at each level is fed back into the system to be almost instantly available and to adjust allocations for current or future periods.