Managing retail promotion events

1. A computer-implemented method for managing a promotion event over a data network between a retailer and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, the promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailer for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the method comprising the steps of:

defining the promotion event to include terms, the terms including an event description, a category, and a designated items description, the terms situated in fields of a promotion event record;

matching the designated items description to a list of items stored in an item table, the list of items authorized for sale by the retailer;

validating, utilizing a computer, the fields in the promotion event record as conforming to requirements of a deal sheet associated with the retailer, wherein the validating also includes ensuring the vendor completes all required fields of the deal sheet, and performing calculations to automatically complete at least one field of the deal sheet;

sending, when the fields in the promotion event record do not conform to the deal sheet requirements, an edit message to the vendor computer over the data network, the edit message requesting editing of the terms in the promotion event record;

storing, within a deal transaction database, when the fields in the promotion event record conform to the deal sheet requirements, the promotion event record as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, the deal being designated as having a submitted status;

providing, when the deal has the submitted status, read access to the stored deal for the retailer computer over the data network;

receiving a deal negotiation message from the retailer computer over the data network;

designating, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, the stored deal as having a negotiate status;

enabling viewing of the negotiate status of the stored deal, by the vendor computer over the data network; and

providing, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, access to the vendor computer to edit the stored deal over the data network.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the step of defining the promotion event includes:

generating a user interface accessible by the vendor computer over the data network.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

receiving a request message from the retailer computer over the data network, wherein the request message includes a request for defining of the promotion event.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the deal negotiation message includes a modify selection.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of:

designating the stored deal as having a modified status.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the deal negotiation message includes a reject selection.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of:

designating the stored deal as having a rejected status.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

receiving comments for the stored deal from the retailer computer over the data network.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

receiving requested revisions to the stored deal from the retailer computer over the data network.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving a deal accept message from the retailer computer over the data network; and

designating, responsive to receiving the deal accept message, the deal as having a complete status.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving revisions to the terms in the stored deal from the vendor computer over the data network;

updating the stored deal to include the term revisions received from the vendor computer; and

providing read access to the stored deal with term revisions for the retailer computer over the data network.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of:

designating the stored deal as having a resubmitted status.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving a further deal negotiation message from the retailer computer over the data network;

designating, responsive to receiving the further deal negotiation message, the stored deal as having the negotiate status;

enabling viewing of the negotiate status of the stored deal for the vendor computer over the data network; and

providing, responsive to receiving the further deal negotiation message, edit access to the stored deal for the vendor computer over the data network.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving a deal accept message from the retailer computer over the data network; and

designating, responsive to receiving the deal accept message, the stored deal as having a complete status.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of:

outputting the stored deal in a designated format.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the designated format is a screen display.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the designated format is a document image file.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the event description in the terms of the promotion event includes a classification.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the terms of the promotion event include one selected from the group consisting of a name of the event, a time period, a performance period, an amount, a basis for the amount, a method of payment, a sponsor, a selection of one or more retailers, and a selection of one or more divisions of the one or more retailers.

20. A computer-implemented method for managing a promotion event over a data network between a plurality of retailers and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, the promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailers for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the method comprising the steps of:

defining the promotion event to include terms, the terms including an event description, a category, and a designated items description, the terms stored in fields of a promotion event record;

receiving a selection of divisions within one or more of the retailers;

matching the designated items description to lists of items stored in an item table, the lists of items authorized for sale by the selected retailer divisions;

validating, utilizing a computer, the fields in the promotion event record as conforming to requirements of a master deal sheet associated with the retailers, wherein the validating also includes ensuring the vendor completes all required fields of the master deal sheet, and performing calculations to automatically complete at least one field of the master deal sheet;

sending, when the fields in the promotion event record do not conform to the master deal sheet requirements, an edit message to the vendor computer over the data network, the edit message requesting editing of the terms in the promotion event record;

storing, within a deal transaction database, when the fields in the promotion event record conform to the master deal sheet requirements, the promotion event record as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, the deal having a submitted status;

providing, when the deal has the submitted status, access to the stored deal for the retailer computers over the data network;

receiving a deal negotiation message from the retailer computer over the data network;

designating, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, the stored deal as having a negotiate status;

enabling viewing of the negotiate status of the stored deal, by the vendor computer over the data network; and

providing, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, access to the vendor computer to edit the stored deal over the data network.

21. A computer-implemented method for managing a plurality of promotion events over a data network between a retailer and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, each promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailer for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the method comprising the steps of:

defining each promotion event to include identification information and terms, wherein the terms including a category;

defining, utilizing a computer, a plurality of promotion event records corresponding to the promotion events, each promotion event record including a structure of fields, the terms of each promotion event stored in the fields of the corresponding promotion event record;

storing, within a deal transaction database, the plurality of promotion event records as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, each promotion event record having a name and a status indicator designating a status of negotiation of the corresponding promotion event;

generating a list of the names and status indicators of the promotion events; and

providing access to the list.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 21 , wherein the step of providing access to the list includes:

generating a user interface showing the list, the user interface accessible by the retailer computer.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 21 , wherein the step of providing access to the list includes:

generating a user interface showing the list, the user interface accessible by the vendor computer.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 21 , wherein the list further includes information identifying retailers associated with the respective promotion event records.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 21 , wherein one of the status indicators is selected from the group consisting of “to do,” “pending,” “complete,” “new,” “duplicate,” “modified,” “submitted,” “resubmitted,” “rescinded,” “reviewed,” “accepted,” “assigned,” “rejected,” “rescind,” “confirmed,” and “processed.”

26. A computer-implemented method for managing a plurality of promotion events over a data network between a retailer and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, each promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailer for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the method comprising the steps of:

defining each promotion event to include terms, wherein the terms include a category;

defining, utilizing a computer, a plurality of promotion event records corresponding to the promotion events, each promotion event record including a structure of fields, the terms of each promotion event stored in the fields of the corresponding promotion event record;

storing, within a deal transaction database, the plurality of promotion event records as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, the deal being designated as having a submitted status;

receiving a batch edit message including a revision to one or more fields in the promotion structure; and

revising the plurality of promotion event records according to the revision in the batch edit message, including replicating the revision across the plurality of promotion event records revising the same field or fields in each of the promotion event records.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:

determining a deal type for the deal as performance based or non-performance based;

if the deal type is non-performance based, then:

assigning the deal to a procurement specialist;

providing read access for the promotion event record to the procurement specialist;

else, if the deal type is performance based, then:

defining a cover sheet for the deal;

assigning the deal to a promotion specialist, wherein the promotion specialist is associated with a division of the retailer; and

providing read access for the deal to the promotion specialist.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 27 , wherein the step of determining the deal type includes identifying the deal type based on the event description.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 27 , wherein the step of assigning the deal to the procurement specialist or the promotion specialist includes designating the deal as having an assigned status.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 27 , wherein the promotion event record is associated with a single division of the retailer.

31. The computer-implemented method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of:

receiving log numbers for the deal.

32. The computer-implemented method of claim 27 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving a processed message; and

designating the deal as having a processed status.

33. A computer program product, stored on a processor readable medium, comprising instructions operable to cause a computer to perform a method for managing a promotion event over a data network between a retailer and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, the promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailer for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the method comprising the steps of:

defining the promotion event to include terms, the terms including an event description and a designated items description, the terms situated in fields of a promotion event record;

matching the designated items description to a list of items stored in an item table, the list of items authorized for sale by the retailer;

validating, utilizing the computer, the fields in the promotion event record as conforming to requirements of a deal sheet associated with the retailer, wherein the validating also includes ensuring the vendor completes all required fields of the deal sheet, and performing calculations to automatically complete at least one field of the deal sheet;

sending, when the fields in the promotion event record do not conform to the deal sheet requirements, an edit message to the vendor computer over the data network, the edit message requesting editing of the terms in the promotion event record;

storing, within a deal transaction database, when the fields in the promotion event record conform to the deal sheet requirements, the promotion event record as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, the deal being designated as having a submitted status;

providing, when the deal has the submitted status, read access to the stored deal for the retailer computer over the data network;

receiving a deal negotiation message from the retailer computer over the data network;

designating, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, the stored deal as having a negotiate status;

enabling viewing of the negotiate status of the stored deal by the vendor computer over the data network; and

providing, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, access to the vendor computer to edit the stored deal over the data network.

34. The computer program product of claim 33 , the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving a deal accept message from the retailer computer over the data network; and

designating, responsive to receiving the deal accept message, the deal as having a complete status.

35. The computer program product of claim 33 , the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving revisions to the terms in the stored deal from the vendor computer over the data network;

updating the stored deal to include the term revisions received from the vendor computer; and

providing read access to the stored deal with term revisions for the retailer computer over the data network.

36. The computer program product of claim 35 , the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving a further deal negotiation message from the retailer computer over the data network;

designating, responsive to receiving the further deal negotiation message, the stored deal as having the negotiate status;

enabling viewing of the negotiate status of the stored deal for the vendor computer over the data network; and

providing, responsive to receiving the further deal negotiation message, edit access to the stored deal for the vendor computer over the data network.

37. The computer program product of claim 36 , the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving a deal accept message from the retailer computer over the data network; and

designating, responsive to receiving the deal accept message, the stored deal as having a complete status.

38. An apparatus for managing a promotion event over a data network between a retailer and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, the promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailer for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor including:

an event definition module configured to define the promotion event to include terms, the terms including an event description, a category, and a designated items description, the terms situated in fields of a promotion event record;

a matching module configured to match the designated items description to a list of items stored in an item table, the list of items authorized for sale by the retailer;

a validation module configured to validate the fields in the promotion event record as conforming to requirements of a deal sheet associated with the retailer, wherein the validating also includes ensuring the vendor completes all required fields of the deal sheet, and performing calculations to automatically complete at least one field of the deal sheet;

a vendor interface module configured to send, when the fields in the promotion event record do not conform to the deal sheet requirements, an edit message to the vendor computer over the data network, the edit message requesting editing of the terms in the promotion event record;

a deal transaction module configured to store, when the fields in the promotion event record conform to the deal sheet requirements, the promotion event record as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, the deal being designated as having a submitted status;

a retailer interface module configured to provide, when the deal has the submitted status, read access to the stored deal for the retailer computer over the data network;

the deal transaction module is further configured to designate, responsive to receiving a deal negotiation message, the stored deal as having a negotiate status; and

the vendor interface module is further configured to:

i) enable viewing of the negotiate status of the stored deal by the vendor computer over the data network, and

ii) provide, responsive to receiving the deal negotiation message, access to the vendor computer to edit the stored deal over the data network.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein:

the deal transaction module is further configured to designate, responsive to receiving a deal accept message, the deal as having a complete status.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein:

the vendor interface module is further configured to receive revisions to the terms in the stored deal from the vendor computer over the data network; and

the deal transaction module is further configured to update the stored deal to include the term revisions received from the vendor computer.

41. The apparatus of claim 38 , further comprising:

an output module configured to output the stored deal in a designated format.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the designated format is a screen display.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the designated format is a document image file.

44. An apparatus for managing a plurality of promotion events over a data network between a retailer and a vendor each having an associated computer in communication with the data network, each promotion event providing a scheme for rewarding the retailer for offering designated items supplied through the vendor for sale to consumers on behalf of the vendor, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor including:

an event definition module configured to:

i) define each promotion event to include terms, wherein the terms include a category, and

ii) define a plurality of promotion event records corresponding to the promotion events, each promotion event record including a structure of fields, the terms of each promotion event stored in the fields of the corresponding promotion event record;

a deal transaction module configured to store the plurality of promotion event records as a deal in a deal transaction storage medium, the deal being designated as having a submitted status;

a batch edit module configured to:

i) receive a batch edit message including a revision to one or more fields in the structure, and

ii) revise the plurality of promotion event records according to the revision in the batch edit message, including replicating the revision across the plurality of promotion event records revising the same field or fields in each of the promotion event records.