Patent
1992-12-17
1997-01-21
McElheny, Jr., Donald E.
G06F15300
Patent
active
055964931
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method for classifying sale amount characteristics, a method for predicting the sale volume, a method for ordering for restocking, a system for classifying sale amount characteristics and a system for ordering for restocking, designed for classifying sale amount characteristics of individual goods and predicting the sale amount. More particularly, it relates to a method for classifying sale amount characteristics, a method for predicting the sale amount, a method for ordering for restocking, a system for classifying sale amount characteristics and a system for ordering for restocking whereby the sale amount may be predicted easily with high accuracy by statistic analyses.
BACKGROUND ART
The sale amounts of individual articles of commerce or goods may be recited as important information for store management. The sale amounts of individual goods significantly influence the laying-in quantity of articles and inventory and hence the store management.
Thus the chief or manager of a store is concerned with how to predict the inventory and the laying-in quantity for tomorrow, one week ahead or one month ahead, and formulates a daily, weekly or monthly schedule based on such estimation or prediction of the sale amounts.
That is, if the sale amounts of the individual articles could be estimated with more or less precision, it becomes possible to map out a plan for stocking a proper quantity of articles or to maintain proper inventory with certain efficacy to contribute to cost saving or efficient store management.
At present, sale amount estimation by a store or chief is generally unscientific and inaccurate because it is made in a majority of cases based on experiences, that is, by taking account of various factors possibly influencing the sale volume of the individual articles, such as day of the week, entertainments, weather, temperature, distribution of advertisements or price changes.
However, an advanced artifice in mathematical statistics and analytic skill are required if sale volume estimation is to be made by scientific methods. If, for example, a pre-existing statistic software is used, since computer software packages now on the market are intended for expert users and sold as a software package premised on general application, such as a statistic package or a multi-variable analytic package, the operation is specialized and difficult while it is necessary to employ plural packages in combination. Consequently, it is very difficult for an amateur having no specialized knowledge in statistics, such as store foremen or manager, to master the packages easily. If a model formulation for sale volume estimation of individual articles is left to specialized consultants, it is necessary to take account of the difference in postulates from store to store or modifications imposed by environmental changes for one and the same store. Besides, model maintenance is also difficult to achieve and, if such maintenance is neglected, estimation accuracy is necessarily lowered because of failure in model adaptation.
The JP Patent KOKAI Publication 2-155067 discloses an inventory warning method and system for estimating the sale progress for each article, finding an index for evaluating inventory surplus or deficit at the current time based on the estimated results, and rearraying the information concerning the articles based on the indices, as well as deciding validity of the information concerning the articles based on the hysteresis of measures taken in connection with the inventory or the contents of contracts with customers. This prior-art method, however, lacks in statistical analyses, and is simply based on transition patterns as found from the relation between the time and the total sale volume ratio. On the other hand, estimation is not fully automated because estimation of the sale volume as a function of weather or possible entertainments is subject to decisions by store foremen.
Besides, store personnel not having a specialized knowledge in statistics frequently ar
REFERENCES:
patent: 3876863 (1973-04-01), Boone
patent: 4025766 (1977-05-01), Ng et al.
patent: 4355372 (1982-10-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4521677 (1985-06-01), Sarwin
patent: 4771383 (1988-09-01), Takahashi
patent: 4825045 (1989-04-01), Humble
patent: 4833308 (1989-05-01), Humble
patent: 4833608 (1989-05-01), Aya
patent: 4843546 (1989-06-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 4920488 (1990-04-01), Filley
patent: 4951196 (1990-08-01), Jackson
patent: 4953113 (1990-08-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 4972504 (1990-11-01), Daniel, Jr. et al.
patent: 5101352 (1992-03-01), Rembert
patent: 5128861 (1992-07-01), Kagami et al.
patent: 5168445 (1992-12-01), Kawashima et al.
patent: 5315093 (1994-05-01), Stewart
Ditro Forecasting 1.1; Jan. 1974; Dialog Acc#1254553.
IMREX Demand Forecasting System; 1984; Dialog Acc#01016166.
Ooba et al; Jun. 7, 1989; Patent Abstracts of Japan; #01-145765 The Number Of Customers and Sales Predicting System.
Nikkei Computer, Nov. 15, 1982, "Pos New Age? To A General Information Management", pp. 48-61.
Measurement and Control, vol. 28, No. 1, Jan. 1989, "Sales Analysis", pp. 17-22, Information System Strategy by Pos, pp. 37-42.
Fujitsu, vol. 41, No. 1, Jan. 1990, "Support System for Decision-Making of Marketing: Manasus", pp. 54-60.
Fujitsu, vol. 36, No. 3, May 1985, "Sauler Office's General System Using Sales Terminals in Prima Meat Packers, Ltd." pp. 217-223.
Kei Takeuchi, "Mathematical Statistics", Jul. 1963, Toyo Keizai Shinpo Shia (Tokyo).
Snyder, R. D.; "Inventory Control with Gamma Probability Distribution"; European Dialog File (15) Journal of Operational Research, v. 17 n3 Abstract only; Sep. 1984; 00256246.
Nelson, Stephen L; "Determining reorder points . . . "; Lotus v. 6 n6 p. 50; Jun. 1990; Dialog file 275 #01361134.
Schwartz; David J; Marketing Today A Basic Approach; 1981; pp. 472-481.
Tashman, Leonard J & Kathleen R Lamborm; 7 The Ways & Means of Statistics; 1979 pp. 5-46 & 49-54.
Okazaki Toshikazu
Tanaka Hiroyuki
Tone Kaoru
Tone Michiko
McElheny Jr. Donald E.
Meiji Milk Products Co. Ltd.
Tone Kaoru
Verdun Hayward A.
LandOfFree
Method for classifying sale amount characteristics, method for p does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for classifying sale amount characteristics, method for p, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for classifying sale amount characteristics, method for p will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2329203