Abstract: A profit optimization system takes account of supply-side and demand-side factors in optimizing profit for an organization. The profit optimization system uses an optimization model to optimize profit in a spot market. The model takes into account which parts the organization uses to assemble various products. Demand curves are used to characterize the quantity of each product that will be demanded as a function of price on the spot market. Supply model data is used to determine which mix of products can be sold in view of parts availability. Using the demand model and supply model data, the optimization model can recommend a set of prices to use for selling the organization's products. The model ensures that the organization has sufficient resources available to produce the products and enforces user-supplied business rules and other constraints.

Abstract: A bid evaluation tool is provided for evaluating proposed bids for commodity sales contracts. The tool displays historical price data and forecasts in a graph. A user of the tool defines a date range for a proposed contract by entering starting and ending dates for the contract. The tool analyzes price data for the date range and generates a corresponding proposed bid for the date range. A bid window may be used to gather user inputs for the tool. The user can select between multiple bid pricing models for the bid evaluation tool to use when processing the price data to produce the proposed bid. Bid models for the tool include models such as a flat average model, a linear fit model, and an offset model. The user can adjust which historical data is included in the graph and can select which data set is used to generate bids.