Centralized Store Layout Application for Planogram Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current store layout and planning software require local installation and lack centralized management, making it difficult for retailers to efficiently assign and manage planograms across multiple stores, leading to inefficiencies in data transfer and inventory control.
Innovation Solution
A centralized store layout application that allows users to assign planograms to fixtures on a floor plan via a communication network, enabling real-time updates and searches, and integrating an event calendar to manage planogram changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If local installation of store layout software is used, then the software can be installed on individual computers, but it cannot leverage centralized floor plan data across multiple stores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary between the client device and floor plan data. The server hosts the floor plan database and handles data requests, allowing the client application to access centralized floor plan information without requiring local installation or complex distributed architecture. This resolves the contradiction by enabling centralized data leverage through a simple client-server model.
2Productivity
If store managers download and upload planogram data locally, then changes can be made to planograms, but the process is time-consuming and prevents addressing pressing needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of downloading and uploading large planogram data files with a network-based communication system. The client application communicates with the centralized server through standardized network protocols, allowing rapid transmission of planogram assignment data without the time-consuming local file transfer process. This substitution dramatically reduces data transfer time and improves productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If centralized floor planning software is implemented, then data can be aggregated across multiple stores, but the system must be compatible with every store location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal client-server architecture where the centralized server provides a single platform that can aggregate and manage floor plan data from multiple store locations. The server acts as a universal interface that handles data from different stores regardless of their local platforms, enabling multi-store data aggregation while maintaining ease of operation through standardized communication protocols.
4Ease of operation
If local store planning software is used, then each store can manage its own floor plan, but it increases costs of developing standardized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the centralized server as a master copy that stores the authoritative floor plan data. Each store's client application accesses copies or references of this centralized data through the network, eliminating the need to develop and maintain separate standardized tools at each location. This copying approach maintains autonomous access while reducing development costs through centralized tool creation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assigning a planogram to a new fixture on a floor plan includes receiving an indication of which planogram to relocate and an indication of a target fixture that the planogram will be relocated upon. The computer-implemented method further includes determining where on the target fixture the selected planogram will be place and causing databases storing assignment data to be updated to reflect the new location. Once the databases are updated to reflect the relocation, the contents of the database are analyzed by a display device running a store layout application to depict the relocated planogram on the target fixture.