Method and system for configurating products
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a method and system for configuring products, such as branded promotional products, where products may be divided into items and processes. Item parameters and process parameters may be separately specified and linked together to create a unique product where a product identifier (e.g., SKU) may be dynamically created when the product is sourced, quoted, ordered or otherwise accessed. For example, an item may involve a product to which an imprint or logo is to be affixed. A process may involve a screening printing process or other process for affixing a customer's artwork, logo or identifier. In addition, the method and system of the present invention may be applied to other applications, such as office supplies, furniture, aviation supplies, marine supplies, interior design, beauty salon and spa supplies, medical office supplies, restaurant and bar supplies, gift shops and clothing boutique, and other industries where products and services may be ordered.
1. A computer implemented method for configuring one or more products over a computer network, the computer implemented method comprising:
storing product parameter data and a pricing algorithm on a non-transitory data storage device, such that the data storage device is accessible by a product parameter identifying and pricing computer system;
transmitting, over said computer network, a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising representations of said product parameter data obtained from said data storage device;
receiving, by said product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, a request for a branded product over said computer network, said request for a branded product including at least an item, a process, and an artwork;
identifying, using said product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, one or more item parameters, one or more process parameters, and one or more artwork parameters;
applying, using said product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, said pricing algorithm using the product parameter identifying and pricing computer to assign a price to the branded product, wherein the price is dynamically generated using the one or more item parameters, one or more process parameters, and one or more artwork parameters identified;
generating a product identifier; and
branding, using the product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, the product as requested, wherein the product is identified by the product identifier.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating the product and supplying an item template.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating the product further comprises creating an item definition page based on the item template.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating the product further comprises supplying a process template.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein separating the product further comprises creating a process definition page based on the process template.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more item parameters comprise description information.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more process parameters comprise quantity break pricing information.
8. A computer implemented system for configurating one or more products over a computer network, the computer implemented system comprising:
a data storage device hosting product parameter data and pricing data, addressable on said computer network, and accessible by a remote user on a user interface device;
a product parameter identifying and pricing computer comprising a branded product creation module that generates a graphical user interface (GUI), the branded product creation module comprising: a GUI generation engine that generates a GUI representing product parameter data hosted on said data storage device and displays said GUI on said user interface device;
an ordering module that creates a request over said computer network for a branded product wherein a user designates features for said branded product by selecting product parameter data represented by the GUI and submits said features to said product parameter identifying and pricing computer over said computer network;
a separating module that separates said request for the branded product into at least an item, a process and an artwork;
an identifying module that identifies one or more item parameters, one or more process parameters and one or more artwork parameters;
a linking module that links said one or more item parameters, said one or more process parameters and said one or more artwork parameters;
a pricing algorithm used to assign a price to said branded product wherein the price is dynamically generated by said product parameter identifying and pricing computer using the one or more item parameters, one or more process parameters, one or more artwork parameters;
a generating module that generates a product identifier when the product is sourced, quoted or ordered; and
a branding module for branding the product as requested, wherein the product is identified by the product identifier.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the separating module further comprises an item template supplying module.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the separating module further comprises an item definition page creation module operable to create an item definition page wherein the item definition page is based on the item template.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the separating module further comprises a process template supplying module.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the separating module further comprises a process definition page creation module operable to create a process definition page wherein the process definition page is based on the process template.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more item parameters comprise description information.
14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more process parameters comprise quantity break pricing information.
15. A computer implemented method for configuring one or more products over a computer network, the computer implemented method comprising:
storing product parameter data and a pricing algorithm on a non-transitory data storage device, such that the data storage device is accessible by a product parameter identifying and pricing computer system;
transmitting, over said computer network, a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising representations of said product parameter data obtained from said data storage device;
receiving, by said product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, a request for a branded product over said computer network, said request for a branded product including at least an item, a process, and an artwork;
identifying, using said product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, one or more item parameters, one or more process parameters, and one or more artwork parameters wherein the one or more process parameters identify one or more manufacturing processes;
applying, using said product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, said pricing algorithm using the product parameter identifying and pricing computer to assign a price to the branded product, wherein the price is dynamically generated using the one or more item parameters, one or more process parameters, and one or more artwork parameters identified;
generating a product identifier; and
branding, using the product parameter identifying and pricing computer system, the product as requested, wherein the product is identified by the product identifier.