Warehouse Assortment Split Evaluation via Digital Display Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Online concierge systems face challenges in optimizing item assortments in physical warehouses due to potential errors in predictive models, limited space constraints, and difficulties in experimenting with different assortments, leading to discrepancies between predicted and actual user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A method where two item assortments, one current and one suggested by a computer model, are evaluated by stocking them at a warehouse in split quantities and presenting them to different users, allowing for user interaction data comparison to validate predicted differences and adjust the assortment split weight based on performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the warehouse stocks items according to a modified item assortment suggested by a computer model, then the predicted user preference and ordering frequency may improve, but the limited warehouse space and potential prediction errors make direct conversion risky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user base into different groups and assigns different item assortments to different segments. Instead of converting the entire warehouse to a modified assortment, the system presents different assortments (first item assortment and second item assortment) to different user groups through customized display elements, allowing simultaneous evaluation of multiple assortments without physical warehouse reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of different item assortments through customized display elements in the online concierge system. Rather than physically stocking both assortments in the warehouse, the system generates virtual representations of each assortment for different user groups, enabling comparison of actual user interactions with each assortment configuration
2Volume of stationary object
If the warehouse maintains a fixed item assortment due to space constraints, then storage capacity is optimized, but the ability to experiment with and compare different assortments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the assortment experimentation from the physical dimension (warehouse storage) to the digital dimension (online display system). By customizing display elements and presenting different virtual assortments to different users, the system enables unlimited assortment experimentation without consuming additional physical warehouse space
Solution Approach 2:
The online concierge system acts as an intermediary between the fixed warehouse inventory and the users. The system receives the actual warehouse stock, creates multiple virtual assortment configurations through display customization, and presents these to different user groups, thereby enabling assortment comparison without physical warehouse changes
3Adaptability or versatility
If all items in the warehouse are presented as available for order, then user choice is maximized, but the ability to evaluate specific item assortments through user interaction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing the display elements for different user groups based on their assigned item assortment. Each user group sees a tailored view of items that reflects the specific assortment configuration being evaluated, allowing precise measurement of user interactions with each assortment while maintaining access to the full warehouse inventory
Data Source
AI summary
An online system evaluates different item assortments for a physical warehouse having limited capacity to stock items. Each item assortment is stocked at the physical warehouse in proportion to an assortment split weight. The items at the warehouse are available for users to order, for example to be gathered by a picker and physically delivered to users near the warehouse. Rather than display all items actually stocked at the physical warehouse to all users, the different item assortments are displayed to different users. Users may order items from the assigned item assortment and, because both item assortments are actually stocked at the physical warehouse, orders from either item assortment may be successfully fulfilled for delivery. The different user interfaces thus permit evaluation of the preferred item assortment by users while maintaining expected delivery capability and while using the same storage capacity of the physical warehouse.