System and method for performing assortment planning

• US 20050197850A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Fotteler, Christine, Busch, Hergen, Kopecz, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 8,370,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A system, method and program product are provided for performing assortment definition/planning (i.e., matching the right articles with the right stores at the right times). The method comprises assigning a first article to the assortment via a first intermediate link, and assigning a first validity period to the first intermediate link to determine a first time period during which the first article is in the assortment.

Claims

1. A method of planning an assortment, comprising:

assigning a first article to the assortment via a first intermediate link; and

assigning a first validity period to the first intermediate link to determine a first time period during which the first article is in the assortment.

2. The method of claim 1, further including assigning a second article to the assortment via the first intermediate link, whereby the second article is in the assortment during the first time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first intermediate link is an assortment version.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a second article to the assortment via a second intermediate link; and

assigning a second validity period to the first intermediate link to define a second time period during which the second article is in the assortment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second time periods are consecutive.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is defined by a starting time and an ending time.

7. The method of claim 1, further including:

assigning a first store to the assortment; and

defining a first temporary period during which the assignment of the first store to the assortment is active.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first store is assigned directly to the assortment.

9. The method of claim 7, further including:

assigning a second store to the assortment; and

defining a second temporary period during which the assignment of the second store to the assortment is active.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein first and second temporary periods are the same.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein first and second temporary periods are different.

12. A system for planning an assortment, comprising:

means for assigning a first article to the assortment via a first intermediate link; and

means for assigning a first validity period to the first intermediate link to determine a first time period during which the first article is in the assortment.

13. The system of claim 12, further including assigning a second article to the assortment via the first intermediate link, whereby the second article is in the assortment during the first time period.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first intermediate link is an assortment version.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

assigning a second article to the assortment via a second intermediate link; and

assigning a second validity period to the first intermediate link to define a second time period during which the second article is in the assortment.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second time periods are consecutive.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the first time period is defined by a starting time and an ending time.

18. The system of claim 12, further including:

means for assigning a first store to the assortment; and

means for defining a first temporary period during which the assignment of the first store to the assortment is active.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first store is assigned directly to the assortment.

20. The system of claim 18, further including:

means for assigning a second store to the assortment; and

means for defining a second temporary period during which the assignment of the second store to the assortment is active.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein first and second temporary periods are the same.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein first and second temporary periods are different.

23. A program product for planning an assortment, the program product comprising machine-readable program code for causing, when executed, one or more machines to perform the following method steps:

assigning a first article to the assortment via a first intermediate link; and

assigning a first validity period to the first intermediate link to determine a first time period during which the first article is in the assortment.

24. The program product of claim 23, further including assigning a second article to the assortment via the first intermediate link, whereby the second article is in the assortment during the first time period.

25. The program product of claim 23, wherein the first intermediate link is an assortment version.

26. The program product of claim 23, further comprising:

assigning a second article to the assortment via a second intermediate link; and

assigning a second validity period to the first intermediate link to define a second time period during which the second article is in the assortment.

27. The program product of claim 26, wherein the first and second time periods are consecutive.

28. The program product of claim 23, wherein the first time period is defined by a starting time and an ending time.

29. The program product of claim 23, further including:

assigning a first store to the assortment; and

defining a first temporary period during which the assignment of the first store to the assortment is active.

30. The program product of claim 29, wherein the first store is assigned directly to the assortment.

31. The program product of claim 29, further including:

assigning a second store to the assortment; and

defining a second temporary period during which the assignment of the second store to the assortment is active.

32. The program product of claim 31, wherein first and second temporary periods are the same.

33. The program product of claim 31, wherein first and second temporary periods are different.