Patent ID: 7881986

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, comprising: while a plurality of units of a same item is being held as inventory, individually evaluating each unit of said plurality of units of said same item, wherein individually evaluating a unit of the plurality of units comprises: using one or more computer systems to individually access one or more records for said unit, wherein said one or more records comprises cost information for said unit and expected revenue information for said unit; using one or more computer systems to individually determine an expected profitability for said unit based on said cost information and said expected revenue information; using one or more computer systems to individually compare said expected profitability for said unit to a corresponding profitability threshold value for said unit; and using said one or more computer systems to individually determine whether said expected profitability of said unit is less than said corresponding profitability threshold value; in response to determining that said expected profitability of said unit is less than said corresponding profitability threshold value for said unit, generate a disposition event associated with said plurality of units of said same item being held as inventory, wherein said disposition event is indicative of a request to remove one unit of said plurality of units of said same item from inventory while retaining at least one of said units as inventory; in response to generating said disposition event, using said one or more computer systems to evaluate each of a plurality of disposition channels with respect to said one unit to be removed from inventory, wherein each of said disposition channels is a channel other than a normal sales channel through which said one unit was previously offered; and dependent upon said evaluating, using said one or more computer systems to select one or more particular disposition channels through which to dispose of said one unit and instruct that said one unit be disposed of through said one or more particular disposition channels, such that instructing disposal of said one unit occurs dependent upon generation of said disposition event and causes one unit of said plurality of units of said same item to be removed from inventory.