Patent ID: 7908164

Claim:
A method for using a profit optimization model in a computer-implemented system having a microprocessor to allow an organization that assembles multiple products from parts to optimize profit when selling the products, comprising: populating at least one database with demand model data and supply model data using the microprocessor, wherein the demand model data includes demand curve data for each of the multiple products and wherein the supply model data includes structural attributes that define which of the parts can be used to assemble each of the products; and using the profit optimization model on the computer-implemented system to optimize the organization's profit in selling the products, wherein using the profit optimization model includes identifying which prices are to be used in selling each of the multiple products, wherein the price for each product is identified at least in part using the demand curve data for each product to determine what quantity of each product will be demanded at the price for each product while the supply model data is used to ensure that the quantity of each product that will be demanded at the price for each product can be manufactured using parts available to the organization, and wherein using the profit optimization model further comprises using the profit optimization model to identify which prices are to be used to sell the products based at least partly on structural attribute data defining which parts are used to form each of multiple assemblies and which assemblies are used to form each of the multiple products.