Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.

Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method of selecting a partner marketing communication. The method includes receiving, by a processor circuit, data of a potential visit by a customer to a location. The method further includes making a determination, by the processor, based at least in part on the data of the potential visit by the customer to the location, that the customer or an agent of the customer may travel to the location. The method further includes selecting, by the processor circuit, at least one partner marketing communication from among a plurality of available partner marketing communications based at least in part on the data of the potential visit and the determination that the customer or the agent may travel to the location.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method of selecting a partner marketing communication. The method includes receiving, by a processor circuit, data of a potential visit by a customer to a location. The method further includes making a determination, by the processor, based at least in part on the data of the potential visit by the customer to the location, that the customer or an agent of the customer may travel to the location. The method further includes selecting, by the processor circuit, at least one partner marketing communication from among a plurality of available partner marketing communications based at least in part on the data of the potential visit and the determination that the customer or the agent may travel to the location.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method of developing data for use by a business system. The method includes identifying, by a processor circuit, an occurrence having at least one characteristic that changes over time. The method further includes determining, by the processor circuit, a pattern of the change over time, wherein the pattern includes past changes and expected future changes. The method further includes identifying, by the processor circuit, a plurality of associations among data of an offering, data of a potential consumer and the pattern of the at least one characteristic's change over time. The plurality of associations also change over time, and the data for use by the business system is derived from the plurality of associations that change over time.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method of developing data for use by a business system. The method includes identifying, by a processor circuit, an occurrence having at least one characteristic that changes over time. The method further includes determining, by the processor circuit, a pattern of the change over time, wherein the pattern includes past changes and expected future changes. The method further includes identifying, by the processor circuit, a plurality of associations among data of an offering, data of a potential consumer and the pattern of the at least one characteristic's change over time. The plurality of associations also change over time, and the data for use by the business system is derived from the plurality of associations that change over time.

Abstract: A method to perform spatiotemporal events marketing includes: presenting, by a server, an interface on a display of a customer device, wherein the interface comprises a selectable list of times in which an event is to occur, determining, by the server, a route to the event or from the event, by a user of the customer device; and presenting, by the server, a selectable list of offers in the interface, wherein the list of offers is based on the selected time, a location of the event, and the route.

Abstract: A method to perform spatiotemporal events marketing includes: presenting, by a server, an interface on a display of a customer device, wherein the interface comprises a selectable list of times in which an event is to occur; determining, by the server, a route to the event or from the event, by a user of the customer device; and presenting, by the server, a selectable list of offers in the interface, wherein the list of offers is based on the selected time, a location of the event, and the route.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method for creating or improving customer preference profiles includes providing a decision coupon to a customer with two or more promotional options directed to related items selected to ascertain a purchasing preference associated with the related items through selection of one of the promotional options. A selection of one of the promotional options is received and an indication of the selected promotional option is stored in a purchasing preference profile for the customer. The indication of the selected option is used to update an affinity for a product or product category for the customer within the customer's purchasing preference profile.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method for creating or improving customer preference profiles includes providing a decision coupon to a customer with two or more promotional options directed to related items selected to ascertain a purchasing preference associated with the related items through selection of one of the promotional options. A selection of one of the promotional options is received and an indication of the selected promotional option is stored in a purchasing preference profile for the customer. The indication of the selected option is used to update an affinity for a product or product category for the customer within the customer's purchasing preference profile.

Abstract: A method and system optimizing source selection of an online order with the lowest fulfillment cost by considering multiple types of parameters, including shipping costs, backlog costs and markdown savings of the order. The method includes obtaining an order from the order retrieval subsystem of the OMS, selecting the candidate sources, and retrieving data from retailers or shipping companies of each selected candidate sources. The system then calculates the costs and savings parameters of the candidate sources from the retrieved data. The system identifies all possible candidate sourcing selections of the order and calculates the total fulfillment cost of each sourcing selection of the order by adding the shipping costs with the backlog costs, and subtracting the markdown savings of all candidate sources in each sourcing selection. The system identifies the optimized sourcing selection of the order with the lowest fulfillment cost and renders the selection to the OMS.

Abstract: A method and system that receives, as input data in a processor of a computer, an identification and location of a retail entity. Map data relevant for the retail entity is received and the retail entity is located on the map data. Data identifying at least one of a product, a product set, and a service or services is received as input data. A listing is received of one or more competitors that offer the product or one or more products of the product set or the service as a competitor of the retail entity for the product, product set or service. The one or more competitors are located on the map data. An affinity for consumers is calculated for the product, product set, or service for the retail entity and each of the one or more competitors.

Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.

Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method of selecting a partner marketing communication. The method includes receiving, by a processor circuit, data of a potential visit by a customer to a location. The method further includes making a determination, by the processor, based at least in part on the data of the potential visit by the customer to the location, that the customer or an agent of the customer may travel to the location. The method further includes selecting, by the processor circuit, at least one partner marketing communication from among a plurality of available partner marketing communications based at least in part on the data of the potential visit and the determination that the customer or the agent may travel to the location.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method for retail store logistics management includes receiving information for pickup order fulfillment including items to be picked up and a store product location map indicating inventory locations and quantities in a retail store. Surveillance data for the store identifies high congestion areas on the sales floor. A pick list and a pickup route through the store are determined to efficiently collect the items on the pick list while avoiding the high congestion areas on the sales floor. The pickup route is displayed as an ordered list or as a route shown on a product location map of the store on a mobile device to guide a user of the mobile device along the pickup route while collecting the items on the pick list.

Abstract: A method to perform spatiotemporal events marketing includes: presenting, by a server, an interface on a display of a customer device, wherein the interface comprises a selectable list of times in which an event is to occur; determining, by the server, a route to the event or from the event, by a user of the customer device; and presenting, by the server, a selectable list of offers in the interface, wherein the list of offers is based on the selected time, a location of the event, and the route.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method for creating or improving customer preference profiles includes providing a decision coupon to a customer with two or more promotional options directed to related items selected to ascertain a purchasing preference associated with the related items through selection of one of the promotional options. A selection of one of the promotional options is received and an indication of the selected promotional option is stored in a purchasing preference profile for the customer. The indication of the selected option is used to update an affinity for a product or product category for the customer within the customer's purchasing preference profile.

Abstract: Methods for creating a presentation of purchase incentives to a shopper. A presentation to present to a shopper is created. A depiction of a store layout is depicted on the presentation, where the store layout depicts a plurality of areas with each area being associated with a respective set of associated items within a plurality of items offered for purchase. A respective depiction is depicted, on the presentation of the store layout, for each of at least one purchase incentive. Each purchase incentive has a respective associated item within a plurality of items offered for purchase. The respective depiction is graphically linked to a respective area that is associated with the respective associated item.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method for pop-up store logistics management includes receiving locality context information pertaining to a pop-up store in a locality including a weather forecast or a special event associated with the locality. A pop-up store inventory is generated based in part on the locality context information. Inventory records are received from multiple locations where inventory is identified for collection to stock the pop-up store. A pop-up store itinerary is generated including a pick list identifying quantities of items to be collected from inventory, a pick route for walking through a store or distribution center for collecting the items from inventory, and a shelving layout for placing the items into the pop-up store.