ADJUSTING A CUSTOMER CATALOG FOR ORDERING VISUAL MEDIA PRODUCTS
A method is disclosed for adjusting a customer catalog for the production and distribution of visual media products based on system capacity. The method includes using a communication network to receive data including production pricing grids, distribution pricing grids, and production capacity thresholds from a network of visual media production entities; and receiving quoting requirements from a plurality of customers for producing and distributing visual media products selected from an on-line catalog. The method further includes using a processor to calculate system capacity, an aggregation of customer orders, and initial customer pricing for the aggregation; calculating adjusted pricing based upon system capacity; and updating the catalog with the adjusted pricing.
1 . A method for adjusting a customer catalog for the production and distribution of visual media products based on system capacity, comprising:
using a communication network to receive data including production pricing grids, distribution pricing grids, and production capacity thresholds from a network of visual media production entities;
receiving quoting requirements from a plurality of customers for producing and distributing visual media products selected from an on-line catalog;
using a processor to calculate system capacity, an aggregation of customer orders, and initial customer pricing for the aggregation;
calculating adjusted pricing based upon system capacity; and
updating the catalog with the adjusted pricing.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the calculated unit pricing is proportional to the amount higher or lower than the capacity threshold.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the calculated unit pricing is sent to the requesting customer over the communication network in real time.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the calculated unit pricing is raised or lowered by modifying the margins charged for aggregating the requested visual media product production and distribution.
5 . The method of claim 3 wherein the real time calculated unit pricing is presented to the requesting customer via a user interface.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the requesting customer indicates via the user interface that the real time calculated unit pricing is acceptable and the calculated unit price is fixed at the presented price level.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the visual media products include electronic media products.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the visual media products include print media products.