Convenience store effectiveness model (CSEM)
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of quantitatively evaluating alternative convenience store and alternative financial services center operations using a simulation model, comprising:
- inputting parameter values describing the alternative convenience store and the alternative financial services center operations into the simulation model wherein the operations represent complex interactions between customers, staff and convenience store service points;
running the simulation model by the computer wherein the parameter values describing the alternative convenience store and the alternative financial services center operations are transformed into performance results where the transformation is performed in either an unlimited arrival mode or a limited arrival mode; and
outputting the results from the simulation model where the results predict the effect of the alternative financial services center'"'"'s operations on the alternative convenience store.
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Abstract
Convenience Store Effectiveness Model (CSEM) is a self-contained PC application to quantitatively predict operational and financial impact of changes to Convenience Store (CStore) and Financial Services Center (FSC) operations. CSEM includes Simulation Analysis Module and Financial Analysis Module. Simulation Analysis Module includes FSC model and CStore model. CStore model predicts the effect of an unlimited number of changes in store design, customer demand patterns, and checkout procedures on store performance. Financial Analysis Module creates a Profit and Loss (P&L) statement showing cash flows, Net Present Value (NPV), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for deploying FSCs using simulation results or user input values. An analyst can use CSEM to provide a sound and quantified basis for developing a business case for investing in new technologies, i.e., FSC, or other design and procedure changes in a convenience store environment.
45 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of quantitatively evaluating alternative convenience store and alternative financial services center operations using a simulation model, comprising:
- inputting parameter values describing the alternative convenience store and the alternative financial services center operations into the simulation model wherein the operations represent complex interactions between customers, staff and convenience store service points;
running the simulation model by the computer wherein the parameter values describing the alternative convenience store and the alternative financial services center operations are transformed into performance results where the transformation is performed in either an unlimited arrival mode or a limited arrival mode; and
outputting the results from the simulation model where the results predict the effect of the alternative financial services center'"'"'s operations on the alternative convenience store. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- inputting parameter values describing the alternative convenience store and the alternative financial services center operations into the simulation model wherein the operations represent complex interactions between customers, staff and convenience store service points;
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21. A computer-implemented method of quantitatively evaluating alternative convenience store and financial services center operations using a simulation model and a financial analysis model, comprising:
- inputting parameter values describing the alternative convenience store operations into the simulation model and the financial analysis model, wherein the simulation model comprises a financial services center model and a convenience store simulation model and wherein the operations represent complex interactions between customers, staff and convenience store service points;
running the simulation model by the computer;
running the financial analysis model;
transforming the parameter values describing the alternative convenience store operations into performance results where the transforming step is performed in either an unlimited arrival mode or a limited arrival mode and uses both the simulation model and the financial analysis model;
outputting the results from the financial analysis model; and
outputting the results from the simulation model wherein the results from the two models predict the effect of the alternative convenience store and financial services center operations. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
- inputting parameter values describing the alternative convenience store operations into the simulation model and the financial analysis model, wherein the simulation model comprises a financial services center model and a convenience store simulation model and wherein the operations represent complex interactions between customers, staff and convenience store service points;
Specification