Patent ID: 7725366
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A supply-chain management system comprising: an Internet-based order aggregation management sub-system executing on a computer system configured to manage activities associated with transfers of items from a plurality of merchants to a plurality of consumers, wherein each of the plurality of consumers purchases at least one item designated for physical aggregation from a different one of the plurality of merchants, and wherein items designated for physical aggregation, purchased by each consumer, are sent to an identified order aggregation facility proximate the consumer to be physically aggregated in one or more batches in accordance with provided aggregation instructions, wherein each batch of physically aggregated items is transferred from the identified order aggregation facility to the consumer who purchased the items at an identified date and time; an Internet-based integrated inventory sharing sub-system executing on a computer system configured to reduce required operating inventories of merchants, balance inventories, reduce inventory costs, and fulfill consumer orders in real time based upon pre-planned regional inventory positions, wherein a plurality of merchants participating in the Internet-based integrated inventory sharing sub-system share inventories to create a virtual inventory, and wherein each merchant is provided access to the Internet-based integrated inventory sharing sub-system to execute an inventory related transaction with another merchant of said plurality of merchants, based at least upon the virtual inventory; an Internet-based predictive ordering consumption forecasting sub-system executing on a computer system configured to support predictive purchase orders placed by a plurality of consumers with a plurality of merchants, wherein a predictive purchase order for an item subject to a predictive price discount is characterized by a consumer receiving the predictive price discount in exchange for placing the predictive purchase order for the item with a merchant at an order date and accepting delivery at a later delivery date, wherein a predictive order delay, representing a time span between the order date and the delivery date, determines the predictive price discount applied to the item, based at least upon cost savings realized by the supply-chain as a result of forecasted consumption rates for the item derived from at least predictive purchase orders booked, and wherein the predictive ordering consumption forecasting sub-system communicates the forecasted consumption rates to an Internet-based supply-chain management sub-system; an Internet-based consumer preference code sub-system executing on a computer system configured for identifying a plurality of sub-classes of items within a class of non-uniform generic items known by consumers by a generic name wherein the items in each sub-class are representative of a different one of a plurality of identified preferences of consumers and wherein the Internet-based consumer preference code sub-system is further configured for a consumer to shop online for an item of a specific sub-class of the class of non-uniform generic items by using a designation comprising the generic name of the item and codes that identify the specific sub-class of the item; an Internet-based window shop management sub-system executing on a computer system configured to provide operational management for a plurality of window shops, wherein a window shop is an inventory-less commercial establishment configured to provide display space and facilities where merchants display, promote, present, and launch items purchased by consumers and where consumers are able to make selections and decisions with respect to items they may be interested in acquiring, and wherein the window shop is staffed with personnel qualified to assist consumers by explaining item features, giving demonstrations, answering consumer inquiries, providing technical support and customer service, providing consumer training, and helping consumers with selection of items and order placement; and an Internet-based supply-chain management sub-system executing on a computer system configured to integrate the order aggregation management sub-system, the integrated inventory sharing sub-system, the predictive ordering consumption forecasting sub-system, the consumer preference code sub-system and the window shop management sub-system to manage a just-in-time distribution of items purchased by the plurality of consumers from the plurality of merchants, wherein the supply-chain management subsystem tracks and manages inventory levels and inventory reductions in the supply-chain and provides consumption statistics and forecasts to the plurality of merchants.