SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRICE SETTING AND TRIANGULATION
The present invention relates to a unified, user driven, business-to-business pricing tool covering all price setting processes. The pricing tool utilizes a multi-dimensional, multi-level workbook which allows the user to select and edit chosen parameters at any level or dimension. The pricing tool allows edited parameters to be set at a high level and inherited throughout the workbook. Optimization and analytical tools may then be used throughout the workbook whereby the edited parameters are incorporated into the optimization and analysis. A price triangulation module is included whereby preferred business segmentation and selected business pricing goals and constraints may be incorporated into the optimization at any said level or dimension.
1 . A method for determining an optimal set of prices or price changes in an integrated price management system, said method comprising:
defining pricing goals and constraints;
selecting a business segment from a group of defined business dimensions; and
generating optimized prices or price changes for said selected business segment.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
generating an aggregate elasticity for said selected business segment; and
generating a demand model using said aggregate elasticity.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein said defined business segments include multiple simultaneous segments.
4 . A method of incorporating pricing data into an integrated price management system, said method comprising:
displaying historical price realization data;
displaying price realization goals and constraints;
adjusting price realization goals; and
displaying current price realization data.
5 . The method of claim 4 further comprising:
displaying product attribute adjustments;
calculating a list price based on said adjustments; and
displaying the effect of said adjustments on said list price.
6 . The method of claim 5 further comprising:
setting volume break information;
displaying historical transactions at each said tier;
calculating a number designating an amount of transactions at each tier; and
graphically displaying the number of transactions at each tier.
7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising:
selecting a business segment from a group of defined business dimensions;
displaying price sensitivity data for said business segment;
adjusting said price sensitivity data based on business knowledge; and
generating optimized price changes for said selected business segment.
8 . The method of claim 7 further comprising:
displaying historical pricing data for said segment;
displaying selected pricing constraints for said segment;
displaying optimized pricing data for said segment;
displaying competitive pricing data for said segment;
displaying target, approval and floor prices for said segment; and
displaying a deal envelope defined by pricing data.
9 . A method of incorporating pricing data into an integrated price management system, said method comprising:
providing a multi-level workspace;
providing a multi-dimensional selector at each level of said workspace;
inputting pricing data parameters;
inputting pricing goals and constraints;
adjusting at least one selected parameter at least one said level and one said dimension of said workspace; and
computing the effect of said at least one adjusted parameter at all levels and dimensions of said workspace.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
generating at least one optimized parameter whereby said optimization comprises:
providing preferred business segmentation;
providing preferred business goals and constraints; and
generating said at least one optimized parameter given said segmentation, goals and constraints.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
displaying historical price realization data;
displaying price realization goals;
adjusting price realization goals; and
displaying current price realization data.
12 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:
displaying product attribute adjustments;
calculating a list price based on said adjustments; and
displaying the effect of said adjustments on said list price.
13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising:
displaying tiered volume break information;
displaying historical transactions at each said tier;
calculating a number designating an amount of transactions at each tier; and
graphically displaying the number of transactions at each tier.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising:
selecting a business segment from a group of defined business dimensions;
displaying price sensitivity data for said business segment;
adjusting said price sensitivity data based on business knowledge; and
generating optimized price changes for said selected business segment.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising:
displaying historical pricing data for said segment;
displaying selected pricing constraints for said segment;
displaying optimized pricing data for said segment;
displaying competitive pricing data for said segment;
displaying target, approval and floor prices for said segment; and
displaying a deal envelope defined by pricing data.