| US 7,533,036 B2 | ||
| Method and system for preparing a new store for opening and operation | ||
| Stephen Bamberg, Bartlett, Ill. (US); Jeffrey A. Rein, Lincolnshire, Ill. (US); Denise K. Wong, Hinsdale, Ill. (US); William J. Wilson, Libertyville, Ill. (US); Stephen O. Schilder, Mundelein, Ill. (US); Dana M. Hembd, Lake Zurich, Ill. (US); Joseph P. Tiemeyer, Highland Park, Ill. (US); John Merritello, Jr., Addison, Ill. (US); and John W. Gleeson, Chicago, Ill. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Walgreen Co., Deerfield, Ill. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jun. 18, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/174,314. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2003/0233271 A1, Dec. 18, 2003 | ||
| Int. Cl. G06F 17/30 (2006.01); G06F 17/40 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 705—10 [705/22; 705/28; 700/236] | 21 Claims |
| 1. A method for preparing a new physical retail store for opening and operation, the method comprising:
receiving, at a host computer, data from a plurality of network elements, the plurality of network elements including a basic
department management server, a central server associated with existing stores, a computer associated with a distribution
center, an access computer, at least one existing computer associated with at least one existing physical retail store, and
a printer, wherein the received data includes:
initial setup data received from the basic department management server, the initial setup data including information associated
with initial items to order, shelf capacity, and a planogram subscription,
a first set of information (1) received from the central server, and (2) associated with upcoming promotions, seasonal ordering,
ad bulletins, and group sheets forecasts for the existing stores,
a second set of information (1) received from the at least one existing computer associated with the at least one existing
physical retail store, and (2) associated with a transfer of inventory between the at least one existing physical retail store
and the new physical retail store, and
a third set of information (1) received from the at least one existing computer associated with the at least one existing
physical retail store, and (2) associated with sales of the at least one existing physical retail store;
based in the received data, automatically generating within the host computer a fourth set of information associated with
(1) a plurality of virtual stores, one of which corresponds to the new physical retail store, and (2) the opening and operation
of the new physical retail store,
wherein the step of automatically generating the fourth set of information includes using the third set of information to
automatically generate a model of expected sales of the new physical retail store, wherein the model of expected sales of
the new physical retail store is within a predetermined percentage of information associated with the sales of the at least
one existing physical retail store;
storing the fourth set of information in a data structure within a storage device operatively coupled to the host computer,
the storage device accessible by the access computer;
determining when a computer associated with the new physical store has not arrived at the new physical retail store, is physically
in transit, or is otherwise unavailable;
when it is determined that the computer associated with the new physical store has not arrived at the new physical retail
store, is physically in transit, or is otherwise unavailable:
updating the fourth set of information within the storage device with any new information associated with the opening and
operation of the new physical retail store, the any new information received at the host computer, and
when the computer associated with the new physical retail store arrives at the new physical retail store and is available,
transmitting to the computer associated with the new physical retail store the updated fourth set of information retrieved
from the storage device via the access computer;
based on the updated fourth set of information, generating an opening order for the new physical retail store; and
transmitting the opening order for the new physical retail store to the computer associated with the distribution center,
wherein the opening order is pre-tailored, thereby better fitting a need or a demand of customers to be serviced by the new
physical retail store.
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