Interactive Assortment Visualization for Product Similarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assortment planning methods struggle to effectively visualize product similarity and transferable demand, making it difficult to determine the optimal product assortment, as tabular data does not adequately show overall similarity or the impact of products on sales, leading to issues with assortment optimization.
Innovation Solution
The system generates an interactive two-dimensional visualization based on a similarity matrix, representing product similarity and transferable demand, allowing for better assessment of product performance and exclusivity, and enabling informed decisions on product inclusion or exclusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If tabular data is used to represent product assortments, then data storage is simple, but visualization of product similarity and transferable demand is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms tabular product data into a two-dimensional spatial visualization where products are positioned as nodes in a graph. Similar products are placed closer together in the 2D space, while dissimilar products are positioned farther apart. This dimensional transformation enables intuitive visualization of product similarity and transferable demand relationships that cannot be captured in traditional tabular formats.
2Measurement precision
If detailed product data is analyzed, then assortment optimization accuracy improves, but analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that calculates transferable demand metrics between product pairs and uses these metrics to determine spatial positioning in the visualization. This intermediary processing layer enables precise measurement of demand relationships while managing complexity by focusing calculations on pairwise product comparisons rather than exhaustive multi-product analyses.
3Ease of operation
If interactive visualization is implemented, then user decision-making is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements interactive functionality where users can select products in the visualization and immediately receive feedback on transferable demand relationships, similarity metrics, and potential assortment optimization opportunities. This feedback mechanism enables intuitive exploration of assortment scenarios without requiring users to understand the underlying complex calculations, as the system automatically computes and displays relevant information.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for interactive product assortment planning and visualization by receiving product attribute values for items of a product assortment is disclosed. Embodiments include displaying icons on an interactive visualization, connecting the icons with transferable demand links, identifying items to be removed from a product assortment, and transporting items among one or more supply chain entities.