Automated Special Pricing Engine for SKU Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional global distribution industry faces challenges in supply chain management, inventory control, compliance, SKU management, and adapting to evolving consumer expectations, with manual special pricing determination processes being labor-intensive, prone to errors, and lacking real-time capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Single Pane of Glass (SPoG) UI and Real-Time Data Mesh (RTDM) system, which integrates multiple communication channels, provides advanced forecasting capabilities, maintains a global compliance database, and simplifies SKU management, enabling real-time data availability and automated near real-time special pricing calculation and application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual special pricing determination processes are used, then flexibility in pricing decisions can be maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in pricing decisionsVSAvoidpricing determination speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automated pricing determination by configuring pricing rules, algorithms, and parameters in advance. The system then autonomously executes pricing calculations and generates special pricing decisions without requiring manual intervention for each pricing scenario, thus maintaining flexibility while dramatically improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Pricing rules, algorithms, and parameters are configured and prepared in advance through system setup. This preliminary configuration enables the system to rapidly determine special pricing when needed, eliminating the need for manual analysis while preserving strategic pricing flexibility through the pre-configured rules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual pricing calculation and validation are performed, then complex pricing scenarios can be handled, but errors and inconsistencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle complex pricing scenariosVSAvoidpricing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates validation rules and error checking mechanisms that automatically verify pricing calculations against predefined criteria. This feedback loop ensures pricing accuracy and consistency while maintaining the ability to handle complex scenarios through the structured rule-based approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical pricing calculation and validation processes are replaced with automated computer-based systems. This substitution eliminates human error while maintaining the ability to handle complex pricing scenarios through programmable algorithms and validation rules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If real-time data access is implemented, then pricing decisions can be made timely, but system complexity and data integration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepricing decision timingVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs an intermediary data integration layer that consolidates information from multiple sources (inventory systems, customer databases, market data feeds). This intermediary layer simplifies real-time data access by providing a unified interface, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from direct integration with multiple disparate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If automated pricing systems are deployed, then efficiency and consistency improve, but adaptability to unique customer situations may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepricing operation efficiencyVSAvoidresponsiveness to unique customer needs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pricing system is designed to be dynamic and configurable, allowing rules and parameters to be adjusted based on different customer situations. This enables the automated system to adapt to unique customer needs while maintaining efficiency through automation, as the system can flexibly apply different pricing strategies without manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250045786A1Systems and methods for distribution management including special pricing determination

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 INGRAM MICRO INC

AI summary

System and methods are provided for automated SKU management. Embodiments include a user interface for receiving diverse catalog files, a Catalog Transformation module, a Real-Time Data Mesh (RTDM) module, a Master Data Governance (MDG) module, a Global Data Repository (GDR), and a Search Platform. The Catalog Transformation module, through iterative learning, transforms catalog files to a standard format and predicts categorization and attribute mapping. The RTDM module is configured to perform real-time data exchange. The MDG module validates the transformed catalogs. The GDR stores validated catalogs. Embodiments can include a Dynamic SKU Creation module and a Global Pricing Engine for real-time pricing. Embodiments improve data accuracy and SKU management, facilitating integrated order processing and fulfillment.