Retail location services

• US 8,041,648 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate Corporation)
• Inventors: Littlejohn, Kevin, Rossmark, Sharon
• Primary Examiner(s): ALMATRAHI, FARIS S
• Application Number:
  US11/488,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,918 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/314
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/163 Real estate management

Abstract

Methods of preparing retail establishments are disclosed. An area for a retail location may be chosen and an individual may be selected to manage the retail location. The selection of the area may include an evaluation of geographical factors. From the area, a retail location may be selected based on an aggregate score of a set of characteristics of the retail location. The individual may remotely select the layout and furnishing of the retail location and may remotely monitor the progress of the preparation of the retail location. In an embodiment, the individual may be prepared to manage the retail location at a centralized location that is distinct from the area where the retail location is located.

Claims

1. A method of developing an operative retail location with a simultaneous two-track development process, the method comprising:

(a) developing at a data solutions transaction manager computer a retail location in a first track of development, the first track comprising;

(i) determining by a processor of the data solutions transaction manager computer a site for the retail location;

(ii) coordinating by the processor of the data solutions transaction manager computer feedback regarding the progress of a build out of the retail location;

(iii) linking by the processor of the data solutions transaction manager computer the retail location to a company database; and

(iv) determining by the processor of the data solutions transaction manager computer that the retail location has met minimum requirements to be opened to retail business; and

(b) determining at the data solutions transaction manager computer that an agency principal is ready to manage the retail location in a second track of development, the second track comprising;

(i) determining by the processor of the data solutions transaction manager computer that the agency principal has passed a screening process; and

(ii) determining by the processor of the data solutions transaction manager computer the agency principal has met minimum qualifications, and

wherein the first and second track are concluded substantially simultaneously.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first track and the second track are initiated substantially simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the coordinating in (a)(ii) comprises:

(1) receiving updates through a network;

(2) providing a remote view of the progress through a webcam connected to the network; and

(3) providing instructions over the network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first track further includes:

(v) determining a region for locating the site; and

(vi) obtaining a negotiated lease for the site.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining that the agency principal has met the minimum qualifications of (b)(ii) comprises:

(1) verifying that the agency principal has obtained a state license; and

(2) determining that the agency principal has passed a training course.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining that the agency principal has met the minimum qualifications in (b)(ii) comprises:

(1) receiving a first indication that necessary licenses have been granted; and

(2) receiving a second indication that the training is complete.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the site in (a)(i) comprises:

(1) determining a geographical distribution of individuals in a region; and

(2) automatically selecting a portion of the region as being sufficient proximal to a sufficient number of individuals.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining of the site in (a)(i) comprises:

(1) determining that at least two possible sites in a region meet a predetermined minimum criteria;

(2) providing data related to scores for at least three weighted variables for each possible site; and

(3) selecting the preferred site based on a value of a combined score for each of the at least two possible sites.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the linking in (a)(iii) comprises:

(1) linking a computer in the retail location with a company server, whereby proprietary company data may be made available to the computer over a secured network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second tracks are initiated and concluded substantially simultaneously and the first and second tracks are concluded within 4 months.