Patent Publication Number: US-2003236694-A1

Title: System and method for generating sales reports using a mobile terminal

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for generating sales reports, and more particularly to a system and method for generating sales reports and displaying the sales reports in execution of mobile commerce. This application relates to two other applications having the same inventors and the same assignee with the invention, of which one has a title of “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REVIEWING DATA IN A MOBILE TERMINAL” and the other has a title of “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING EXECUTING OF MIBILE COMMERCE”.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] Traditional communication means such as letters, telephones, and faxes are used in a typical conventional business model. In such model, many people waste time on data collection and information transfer. Human error leads to serious mistakes being made, which can cause huge damage to an enterprise. There are also other difficulties including providing adequate technical support, high costs, and low customer satisfaction when mistakes occur.  
       [0005] Since the advent of wireless enterprise applications, new business models have appeared on the market. These business models alter the nature of a company&#39;s interactions with outside entities. Today, companies around the globe are realizing the benefits of using small wireless hand-held mobile devices, which have emerged as an ideal mobile sales assistant. With the ability of such mobile devices to access a company&#39;s data system and the advantages of portability and low cost of ownership, mobile electronic commerce is becoming increasingly popular and promises to further change traditional business models. Typically, mobile electronic commerce is conducted using a personal computer connected to the Internet via an Internet service provider. A wide variety of different commercial opportunities are thus made possible.  
       [0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,887 entitled Computer System and Method for Electronic Commerce discloses a business method to promote merchandise via the Internet. Firstly, an enterprise presents product promotion information on its website for customers to access. If a customer visits the website and chooses to view detailed information on a product, the enterprise&#39;s host computer promptly uploads the product&#39;s price and other detailed data to the customer&#39;s computer terminal for viewing. Accordingly, the customer can select a desired product and place orders on line. However, the commercial transaction takes place without any interactive communication between the customer and the enterprise. The customer cannot obtain further information on the product, and the enterprise cannot obtain detailed information on customers&#39; product demands and related needs.  
       [0007] In view of the above, a system and method for execution of mobile commerce is desired; in particular, a system and method that ensures that data on clients is up-to-date so that accurate reports on sales to clients can be generated.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide a system for generating sales reports automatically by using a mobile terminal in execution of mobile commerce.  
       [0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for generating sales reports using a mobile terminal in execution of mobile commerce to assist a sales representative in making decisions on sales orders.  
       [0010] In order to achieve the first above-mentioned objective, a system for generating sales reports automatically in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a database server, a mobile commerce server linked with the database server for generating business schedules, and a plurality of mobile terminals linked with the mobile commerce server for assisting execution of commercial activities in accordance with business schedules downloaded from the mobile commerce server. Each mobile terminal comprises a business schedule storing module for storing downloaded business schedules and for assisting arrangement of business visits, and a data analyzing module for processing data and generating sales reports. The mobile commerce server comprises an application processing module for generating business schedules in accordance with data stored in the database server, and for updating data stored in the database server in accordance with data sent from the mobile terminals.  
       [0011] In order to achieve the second above-mentioned objective, a method for generating sales reports automatically in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) displaying information on commercial promotion activities; (b) processing merchandise distribution data, and generating a merchandise distribution analysis report; and (c) compiling merchandise sales data, and generating a market share analysis report.  
       [0012] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which:  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for generating sales reports using a mobile terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system comprising a database server, a mobile commerce server and at least one mobile terminal;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of detailed structure of the database server of FIG. 1, and shows data communication between the database server, the mobile commerce server and one mobile terminal of the system of FIG. 1;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating function modules of the mobile terminal of FIG. 1;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of executing commercial activities in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of details of one step of FIG. 4, namely assisting execution of commercial activities;  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of generating sales reports in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of details of one step of FIG. 6, namely displaying commercial promotion activities for a client;  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of details of another step of FIG. 6, namely generating and displaying a merchandise distribution analysis report; and  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of details of still another step of FIG. 6, namely generating and displaying a merchandise market share analysis report. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0022] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the present invention in detail.  
     [0023]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for generating sales reports in execution of mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system for generating sales reports comprises a three-tier information system. The three-tier information system comprises a database server  101  (the bottom tier), an application server system  102  (the middle tier), and a plurality of distributed terminal workstations  109  (the top tier, only one shown). The application server system  102  of the preferred embodiment comprises a mobile commerce server  103 . Each terminal workstation  109  of the preferred embodiment is a mobile terminal  109 , which can be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a pocket personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a smart phone or a notebook computer. A client information system  110  is connected with each mobile terminal  109  via a cable, infrared signals, or wireless communications. Each mobile terminal  109  connects with the mobile commerce server  103  via a cable, infrared signals, or wireless communications. The mobile commerce server  103  connects with the database server  101 , and is used for generating business schedules in accordance with data stored in the database server  101 . The mobile terminal  109  downloads a business schedule from the mobile commerce server  103 , for assisting execution of commercial activities. The mobile terminal  109  shows steps of required commercial activities in accordance with the business schedule, records data on execution of commercial activities, and uploads data on transactions and on execution of commercial activities for updating of data stored in the client information system  110 .  
     [0024] The mobile commerce server  103  comprises a connecting module  104 , an identity validating module  105 , an application processing module  106 , a data processing module  107 , and a client serving module  108 . The connecting module  104  connects with the mobile terminal  109 , and is used for transferring data between the mobile terminal  109  and the mobile commerce server  103 . The identity validating module  105  checks identities of personnel such as sales representatives, and distributes various business schedules to various sales representatives. The application processing module  106  creates business schedules for every sales representative in accordance with data stored in the database server  101 , and updates data stored in the database server  101  in accordance with data sent from the mobile terminals  109 . The data processing module  107  connects with the database server  101 , and transfers data between the database server  101  and the mobile commerce server  103 . The client serving module  108  connects with the client information system  110  via the Internet  111 . The client serving module  108  sends information on mobile commerce to clients, and receives data on cooperating with clients and data on requirements of clients.  
     [0025]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of detailed infrastructure of the database server  101 , and shows data communication between the database server  101 , the mobile commerce server  103  and one mobile terminal  109 . The database server  101  is a central database of an entire enterprise. The database server  101  comprises: a client database  201  for storing data on clients; a merchandise database  202  for storing data on merchandise sold by the enterprise; a transaction database  203  for storing transaction data on the enterprise; an employee database  204  for storing employee data including data on all sales representatives; and an information issuing database  205  for storing information issued by the enterprise. The application processing module  106  of the mobile commerce server  103  integrates data stored in the client database  201 , data stored in the merchandise database  202 , and data stored in the transaction database  203  to create transaction data  207  and market analysis data  206 . The transaction data  207  and the market analysis data  206  are stored in the mobile commerce server  103 . The transaction data  207  and data stored in the employee database  204  are processed by the application processing module  106  to create business schedules  208  for sales representatives. The business schedules  208  are stored in the mobile commerce server  103 . During the process of downloading data from the mobile commerce server  103 , the business schedules  208 , market analysis data  206 , data stored in the client database  201 , and data stored in the information issuing database  205  are transferred to the mobile terminal  109  via the connecting module  104  of the mobile commerce server  103 .  
     [0026]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of function modules of one mobile terminal  109 . The mobile terminal  109  comprises: a business schedule storing module  301  which is used to record work flow and clients that a sales representative visits; a merchandise storing module  302  which is used to store all merchandise information on the enterprise as a reference for the sales representative to inquire of; an executing data storing module  303  which is used to record data on execution of commercial activities; an issued information storing module  306  which is used to store information on the enterprise&#39;s current news, merchandise shortage notes, and newly promoted products; a bar code scanning module  307  which is used to scan and identify various clients&#39; bar codes which respectively represent various clients; an order processing module  304  which is used to process data and generate orders; and a data analyzing module  305  which is used to process data and generate analysis reports.  
     [0027] The business schedule storing module  301  comprises a client data storing module  308 , and a pending event storing module  309 . The client data storing module  308  stores commercial activities information on clients, including: client basic data such as name, address and phone number; client ordering data; and accounts receivable. The pending event storing module  309  is used to remind the sales representative of matters that need to be attended to. For instance, such matters may be orders that need conducting, collection of accounts receivable, and market investigation. The merchandise storing module  302  comprises merchandise general data  310  and merchandise storage data  311 . The merchandise general data  310  includes basic merchandise data such as name, serial number and specification, merchandise price data and key merchandise data. The merchandise storage data  311  includes corresponding merchandise inventory volume and distribution information. The executing data storing module  303  stores transaction data  312  and investigation data  313 . The information in the executing data storing module  303  is sent to the mobile commerce server  103 , and is processed by the application processing module  106 . The information in the database server  101  is updated accordingly. The order processing module  304  comprises a data conducting module  314  and an order generating module  315 . The data conducting module  312  is used for processing merchandise data downloaded from the database server  101  and from the client information system  110 . The order generating module  313  is used to generate computer advice orders, sales representative advice orders and formal sales orders in accordance with the data processed by the data conducting module  314 . The data analyzing module  305  comprises a merchandise distribution analyzing module  316  and a market share analyzing module  317 . The merchandise distribution analyzing module  316  is used to analyze merchandise distribution data. The market share analyzing module  317  is used to process market share data and generate market share analysis reports. Subsequently, all data on orders is uploaded to the database server  101  for storing.  
     [0028]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of executing mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, in step S 402 , before a user enters the system, the mobile terminal  109  authorizes access for the user. In step S 403 , if the user cannot successfully enter the system, then the procedure returns to step S 402 . If and when the user successfully enters the system, then in step S 404 , the mobile terminal  109  inquires whether or not the user wants to upload and/or download data. If the user does not want to upload or download data, then the procedure proceeds directly to step S 408  described below. Otherwise, in step S 405 , the mobile terminal  109  downloads data including a business schedule from the mobile commerce server  103 , and/or uploads data on execution of commercial activities already completed to the executing data storing module  303  of the mobile commerce server  103 . These download and upload operations can be performed individually and separately. If the mobile terminal  109  only uploads data, then the procedure proceeds directly to step S 408  described below. If the mobile terminal  109  downloads data, then in step S 406 , when all the data have been downloaded, the mobile terminal  109  displays both data wanted by the user for executing commercial activities and the downloaded data. The user compares the wanted data with the downloaded data, and marks any outstanding wanted data. Then, in step S 407 , the business schedule storing module  301  determines whether the downloaded data are complete having regard to the user&#39;s mark, if any. If the downloaded data are not complete, then the procedure returns to step S 405 , and the outstanding wanted data are downloaded. If the downloaded data are complete, then the procedure proceeds to step S 408 . In step S 408 , the actual commercial activities are performed, and the executing data storing module  303  records corresponding operations during the process of execution of the commercial activities. When the commercial activities are finished, in step S 409  the business schedule storing module  301  determines whether all required visits to clients have been completed. If all required client visits have not been completed, then the procedure returns to step S 408  and the sales representative continues to visit other clients. If and when all required client visits have been completed, then in step S 410 , the executing data storing module  303  collects and analyzes all client visit information on the business schedule, and generates a consolidated report for the sales representative to review.  
     [0029]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of details of step S 408  of FIG. 4, namely assisting execution of commercial activities. Firstly, in step S 502  the mobile terminal  109  validates a client&#39;s identity, and displays corresponding client information. The client&#39;s identity can be validated by either scanning the client&#39;s bar code, or manually entering the client&#39;s name, code or other details. The client information includes basic information on the client.  
     [0030] In step S 503 , the mobile terminal  109  assists the user in inspecting the client&#39;s storefront premises. Matters examined may include verification of the enterprise&#39;s merchandise inventory, checking of the client&#39;s merchandise information, investigation of merchandise prices, investigation of fake products, and compiling of questionnaires. The executing data storing module  303  records the client visit and noteworthy matters arising from the visit. All this information is transferred to the mobile commerce server  103 , so that the next business schedule can be arranged. In step S 504 , the business schedule storing module  301  displays the client&#39;s accounts receivable information, and reminds the sales representative to collect any outstanding payments. The application processing module  106  of the mobile server  103  computes a new optimized storefront layout of merchandise based on the enterprise&#39;s sales strategy, the client&#39;s current storefront layout, the client&#39;s previous storefront layouts, and previous storefront layouts of other clients. In step S 505 , the new optimized storefront layout is stored in the business schedule storing module  301 , and is shown on the mobile terminal  109 . The new optimized storefront layout is used to guide the client to adjust its storefront layout of merchandise at its storefront premises. In step S 506 , the business schedule storing module  301  shows the enterprise&#39;s scheduled commercial activities on the mobile terminal  109 . Such scheduled activities are used to assist the client to formulate its own sales strategy.  
     [0031] In step S 507 , the mobile terminal  109  assists the sales representative to enter into a sales agreement with the client. Firstly, the executing data storing module  303  automatically creates a sales order in accordance with verified merchandise inventory information and a merchandise sales record of the client. The sales representative modifies the order in light of consultations with the client. When a final order is created, the mobile terminal  109  displays a notice advising whether the total price of the order is within the client&#39;s credit allowance. If the client wants to return merchandise, the executing data storing module  303  records data on returned merchandise.  
     [0032] Finally, in step S 508  the executing data storing module  303  compiles information on the client, and generates a report on the client for the sales representative to check. All such information and the report are sent to the mobile commerce server  103 , and processed by the application processing module  106 . Subsequently, the processed information is transferred to the database server  101 , and the application processing module  106  updates all data stored in corresponding databases.  
     [0033]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of generating sales reports in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, in step S 602 , the mobile terminal  109  searches for suitable commercial promotion activities for the client in the issued information storing module  306 , and displays the activities in picture form. The commercial activities are stored in the form of still picture files and motion picture files. In step S 603 , the mobile terminal  109  processes data including the sales representative advice order data, formal order data downloaded from the database server  101 , and current verified merchandise data obtained during verifying of merchandise. The mobile terminal  109  generates a merchandise distribution analysis report, and displays the merchandise distribution analysis report in picture form. In step S 604 , the mobile terminal  109  downloads merchandise sales data from the client information system  110 , generates a merchandise market share analysis report, and displays the merchandise market share analysis report.  
     [0034]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of details of step S 602  of FIG. 6, namely displaying commercial promotion activities for the client. Firstly, in step S 702 , the mobile terminal  109  searches in the issued information storing module  306  to find whether there are any commercial promotion activities for the client. If there are no commercial promotion activities for the client, then the procedure is ended. If there are commercial promotion activities for the client, then in step S 703  the mobile terminal  109  displays the commercial promotion activities whose content is in picture form. Then in step S 704 , the mobile terminal  109  displays commercial promotion activities whose content is in the form of motion pictures. In step S 705 , the sales representative determines whether the display of commercial activities has finished. If the display has not finished, then the procedure returns to step S 703 . If and when the display has finished, then the procedure is ended.  
     [0035]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of details of step S 603  of FIG. 6, namely generating and displaying a merchandise distribution analysis report. Firstly, in step S 802 , the mobile terminal  109  reads data on a corresponding previous sales representative advice order and on a current formal order in the executing data storing module  303 . Then, in step S 803 , the mobile terminal  109  reads current verified merchandise data. In step S 804 , the mobile terminal  109  compiles and analyzes all collected data to generate the merchandise distribution analysis report. Finally, in step S 805 , the mobile terminal  109  displays the merchandise distribution analysis report in picture form. The merchandise distribution analysis report includes merchandise category, formal order quantity, and sales representative advice order quantity.  
     [0036]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of details of step S 604  of FIG. 6, namely generating and displaying a merchandise market share analysis report. Firstly, in step S 902 , the mobile terminal  109  downloads merchandise marketing data. In step S 903 , the mobile terminal  109  processes the data, and generates a merchandise market share analysis report. Finally, in step S 904 , the mobile terminal  109  displays the merchandise market share analysis report in picture form as a reference for the sales representative to review.  
     [0037] Although only preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications to the preferred embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are deemed to be covered by the following claims and allowable equivalents of the claims.