Portable Wireless Ordering System for Wholesale Sales
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sales representatives face difficulties in presenting and ordering products to potential customers due to the need to carry extensive printed materials, especially when representing multiple manufacturers with numerous products.
Innovation Solution
A wireless wholesale product ordering system utilizing a remote server with a database of products accessible via portable devices like iPads or tablets, allowing representatives to display and order products electronically, including features like GPS location-based client lists, barcode scanning, and customizable product configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sales representatives use printed materials to display products, then they can present product information to customers, but they have to carry extensive physical materials which makes the process difficult and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical printed materials with electronic copies stored on a portable access device. The database contains digital images and information about products, which can be displayed on the device's screen. This eliminates the need to carry extensive physical catalogs and brochures while maintaining the ability to present comprehensive product information to customers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical system of physical material handling with an electronic system. Instead of manually carrying, organizing, and distributing printed materials, the representative uses a portable device with wireless communication capabilities to access and display product information electronically. This reduces the physical burden and simplifies the presentation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sales representatives represent multiple manufacturers with hundreds or thousands of products, then they can offer more product options to customers, but the task of providing materials becomes very difficult and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The portable access device serves multiple functions: it stores databases from multiple manufacturers, displays product information, processes orders, and communicates with the central server. This single device replaces the need to carry separate printed materials for each manufacturer and product category, enabling representatives to efficiently handle diverse product portfolios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional printed materials to three-dimensional digital storage and display capabilities. The portable device can store extensive database information in a compact form factor and display it through its screen, effectively packing much more information into a smaller, more manageable format that is easier to handle and present.
3Productivity
If a wireless ordering system is implemented, then product presentation and ordering become more efficient, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable access device acts as an intermediary between the sales representative and the central server database. It provides local storage and display capabilities, allowing the representative to access product information and process orders without constant connection to the central system. This intermediary approach improves productivity by enabling offline operation while maintaining system connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-loads product databases and application software onto the portable access device before the sales representative leaves the office. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary tools and information are ready for immediate use during client visits, eliminating the need for on-site setup and reducing the time required to begin product presentations.
Data Source
AI summary
A wholesale product ordering system is disclosed. The system comprises a remote server having an associated database of products of the at least one manufacturer and at least one portable access unit. The portable access unit has a video display and an associated keypad. The database of products includes images of the products and alphanumeric data (product identification numbers, prices, sizes, etc.) about the products. The portable access unit is used by a sales representative when visiting a potential customer (retail business) to access selected products of the database to display them and to enable direct ordering.