Blending station apparatus and method for using the same
A system for recalculating a formula previously used in preparing a mixture made from adding at least two components. The system includes a control system and salon management software. The control system has a processor, a computer-readable memory, and a display. The memory contains software configured to receive a formula defining instructions for blending a hair dye mixture using one or more blending materials and amounts recommended for the hair dye mixture. The salon management software is stored in the computer-readable memory and executed by the control system. The salon management software is in communication with the control system to exchange information on customers and formulas of hair dye mixtures associated with the customers.
1 . A method for preparing a hair dye mixture, the system comprising:
accessing a control system having at least a processor, a computer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory contains software configured to receive a formula defining instructions for blending a hair dye mixture using one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials and amounts recommended for the hair dye mixture;
enabling selection input, via a user control system, of one or more of a stored hair dye mixture from a customer history, a stored dye color from the customer history, a finished mixture from an available list of known hair dye mixtures, or components for a new hair dye formula;
preparing an amount of a hair dye mixture using the selection input;
determining an end weight of the hair dye mixture after a user has used the hair dye mixture; and
calculating a revised amount of the hair dye mixture by subtracting the end weight of the hair dye mixture from the prepared amount of the hair dye mixture.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the representation is a graph.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the representation is one of the following: a bar-graph, a line graph, a circular graph, and a pictorial graph, and the representation is either color coded or gradation coded.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: tracking inventory of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials by reducing a current inventory level of each of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials by the final amount used of each of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
storing in the computer-readable memory a final amount used of each of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials defined by the formula.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the formula is associated with a customer data file stored in the memory.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring a final amount used of each of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials defined by the formula; and
determining a cost of each of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials used during preparation, wherein a final cost of the hair dye mixture is calculated.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: storing in the computer-readable memory the final amount used and the final cost of the colorants and/or dye blending materials used in the preparation of the hair dye mixture.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: storing information in the memory on a customer and a stylist corresponding to the final amount used and the final cost of the colorants and/or dye blending materials used in the preparation of the hair dye mixture.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: creating a report based on the final amount used of the colorants and/or dye blending materials for a specified time period.
11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: creating a report based on the final cost of the colorants and/or dye blending materials for a specified time period.
12 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: creating a report based on the customer and one or more or an associated total use, a total cost of the colorants, or a total cost of the dye blending materials for a specified time period.
13 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: creating a report based on the stylist and one or more or an associated total use, a total cost of the colorants, or a total cost of the dye blending materials for a specified time period.
14 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
storing tracking software in the computer-readable memory that is executed by the control system, the software configured to adjust inventory levels of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials by decreasing the current inventory level by an amount used during the preparation of a hair dye mixture.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising: adjusting, using the tracking software, inventory levels of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials by increasing the current inventory levels by an amount received during a new shipment.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising: comparing, using the tracking software, inventory levels of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials received during a new shipment against a purchase order.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising: adjusting, using the tracking software, inventory levels by decreasing the current inventory level by an amount lost or spoiled.