U.S. patent application number 10/439930 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for systems and methods for generating custom reports based on point-of-sale data.
This patent application is currently assigned to B-50.com, LLC.. Invention is credited to Engler, Jeffery T., Engler, Lee J., Newman, Leonard M..
Application Number | 20040049465 10/439930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22563859 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040049465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Engler, Jeffery T. ; et
al. |
March 11, 2004 |
Systems and methods for generating custom reports based on
point-of-sale data
Abstract
A method of generating custom reports based on point-of-sale
data transferred between multiple remote computing devices and a
central computing device includes generating point-of-sale data at
multiple remote locations, transferring the point-of-sale data to a
central computing device from multiple computing devices at the
respective multiple remote locations, defining a custom report
format, the custom report format specifying at least two of the
multiple remote locations and specifying a date range, the date
range and the at least two multiple remote locations being freely
selectable by a user, generating a custom report using the custom
report format, the custom report being based on point-of-sale data
related to the specified remote locations and the specified date
range, and communicating the custom report to a human being. A
computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for
generating custom reports is also disclosed, as are subscription
services, computer systems, graphical user interfaces and other
features.
Inventors: |
Engler, Jeffery T.; (Rancho
Mirage, CA) ; Engler, Lee J.; (Minnetonka, MN)
; Newman, Leonard M.; (Plymouth, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
B-50.com, LLC.
|
Family ID: |
22563859 |
Appl. No.: |
10/439930 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10439930 |
May 16, 2003 |
|
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|
09676652 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
|
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6633851 |
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60157467 |
Oct 1, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 20/202 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/051 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of generating reports based on retail point-of-sale
data transferred between multiple remote computing devices and a
central computing device, the method comprising: (a) transferring
point-of-sale data to a central computing device from multiple
computing devices at multiple remote locations, wherein such
locations comprise retail stores; (b) retail-industry user logging
into a web site for the purpose of defining a report format using
an Internet-browser interface, wherein such defining is initiated
with web-based report generating selection operations starting from
a report initiating page and concluding with a report request
selection, wherein the selection operations include: displaying on
a page one or more report formats, wherein each displayed report
format is presented at least in part with textual information
indicative of the nature of the report format, wherein the page is
configured to process a selection operation from the
retail-industry user that specifies at least one of the report
formats, and wherein the at least one report format accesses a
selected portion of the point-of-sale data as defined in one or
more queries used to populate the at least one report format;
displaying on a page one or more remote locations associated with
the retail-industry user according to one or more user permissions
that can be assigned by an administrator on a user-by-user basis,
wherein each displayed remote location is presented at least in
part with textual information indicative of the remote location,
and wherein the page is configured to process a selection operation
from the retail-industry user that specifies at least one of the
remote locations; displaying on a page one or more operative
data-entry fields configured to process a selection operation from
the retail-industry user that specifies one or more dates or date
ranges, wherein the operative data-entry fields are substantially
only those required to obtain the dates or date ranges associated
with the at least one specified report format; wherein the
retail-industry user navigates between one or more of the selection
operations using Internet-browser navigation mechanisms; and
wherein access to and administration of the underlying
point-of-sale data is controlled as a function of the report
formats and remote locations made available for the user to choose
in defining the report format so that the user obtains access only
to a selected portion of the point-of-sale data; (c) generating a
report using the report format, the report being based on
point-of-sale data related to the specified remote locations and
the specified dates or date ranges; and (d) enabling the
retail-industry user to view or obtain the generated report using
the Internet.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) includes communicating the
report format over the Internet from the central computing
device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) includes specifying a subset
of the multiple remote locations on which to base the report.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) includes displaying the
operative data-entry fields configured to receive input from the
retail-industry user that specifies a date range covering multiple
days.
5. A method of generating report data based on retail point-of-sale
data transferred between multiple remote computing devices and a
central computing device, the method comprising: (a) transferring
point-of-sale data to a central computing device from multiple
computing devices at multiple remote locations, wherein such
locations comprise retail stores; (b) a retail-industry user
logging into a web site for the purpose of defining a report data
format using an Internet-browser interface, wherein the defining
includes, displaying one or more predetermined report data format
types; and displaying one or more data collection fields for
collecting dates, date ranges, or comparative periods; (c)
generating report data using the report data format, the report
data being based on point-of-sale data related to certain of the
remote locations and certain of the dates, date ranges or
comparative periods; and (d) enabling the retail-industry user to
view or obtain the generated report data using the Internet.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the retail point-of-sale data
includes restaurant point-of-sale data.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring occurs
automatically on a daily basis.
8. A method of generating a retail-industry report data comprising:
(a) receiving point-of-sale data in a central computing device from
multiple computing devices at multiple remote locations; (b)
receiving information used to define a report data format from an
Internet-browser, wherein the report data format includes, a report
data format type selected from a list of predetermined report data
format types; and a date, date range, or comparative period
received from a set of one or more data collection fields of an
Internet-browser interface; (c) generating report data based on the
report data format; (e) receiving a request from an
Internet-browser to view the report data; and (d) presenting the
report data to a retail-industry user for viewing.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the presenting includes emailing
the report data to a report data to a retail-industry user for
viewing.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the generating is performed on a
daily basis.
11. A method for limiting access to point-of-sale data comprising:
(a) receiving in an Internet server point-of-sale data from a
plurality of distributed computers, wherein the distributed
computers are at a plurality of retail locations; (b) defining a
plurality report formats, wherein each of the report formats
determines a portion of the point-of-sale data that is accessible;
(d) receiving report format selections; (e) generating report data
based on the report format selections; and (f) presenting the
report data.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the report formats include one
format for each of the retail locations.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the report formats
associated with the retail locations allows access to a different
portion of the point-of-sale data.
14. A method for limiting access to point-of-sale data comprising:
(a) receiving the point-of-sale data from a plurality of remote
computers associated with a plurality of retail stores; (b)
receiving from a user a request to access the point-of-sale data;
(c) authenticating the user; (d) determining reports that the user
is permitted to access based on access rights associated with the
user, wherein some of the access rights are based on the user's
position within a retail organization; (e) presenting a
predetermined report data format based on the reports, wherein the
predetermined report data format allows access only to a portion of
the point-of-sale data; (f) generating report data based on the
report data format selection; and (g) presenting the report data to
the user.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user is permitted to access
more of the point-of-sale data as the user's position is higher in
the retail organization.
16. A method for reporting point-of-sale data comprising: (a)
receiving on an Internet web server the point-of-sale data from a
plurality computers, wherein the computers are at a plurality of
locations; (b) arranging the point-of-sale data into a searchable
format; (c) receiving a report format selection, wherein the report
format selection is associated with a portion of the point-of-sale
data, wherein the report format selection specifies a date, date
range, or comparative period; (d) generating report data based on
the report format selection; (e) presenting the report data.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the presenting includes
transmitting the report data by email.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the report format selection
further specifies one of the plurality of locations.
19. A method for reporting point-of-sale data including: (a)
receiving the point-of-sale data from a plurality of remote
computers associated with a plurality of retail stores; (b)
organizing the retail stores into a plurality of groups, wherein
each of the groups has an associated report format, wherein each
report format includes a date, date range, or comparative period;
(c) presenting a list of the retail stores to a user; (d) receiving
a selection indicating one of the retail stores; (e) presenting the
report format associated with the one of the retail stores for the
user to configure; (g) generating report data based on the report
format; and (h) presenting the report data to the user.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein each report format defines an
accessible portion of the point-of-sale data.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein one of the retail stores can be
in more than one of the groups.
22. A system for generating reports based on retail point-of-sale
data transferred between multiple remote computing devices and the
system, the system comprising: (a) a processor; (b) a memory unit
coupled to the processor to store instructions which, when executed
by the processor perform a process including, (c) transferring
point-of-sale data to the system from multiple computing devices at
multiple remote locations, wherein such locations comprise retail
stores; (d) retail-industry user logging into the system for the
purpose of defining a report format using an Internet-browser
interface, wherein such defining is initiated with web-based report
generating selection operations starting from a report initiating
page and concluding with a report request selection, wherein the
selection operations include, displaying on a page one or more
report formats, wherein each displayed report format is presented
at least in part with textual information indicative of the nature
of the report format, wherein the page is configured to process a
selection operation from the retail-industry user that specifies at
least one of the report formats, and wherein the at least one
report format accesses a selected portion of the point-of-sale data
as defined in one or more queries used to populate the at least one
report format; displaying on a page one or more remote locations
associated with the retail-industry user according to one or more
user permissions that can be assigned by an administrator on a
user-by-user basis, wherein each displayed remote location is
presented at least in part with textual information indicative of
the remote location, and wherein the page is configured to process
a selection operation from the retail-industry user that specifies
at least one of the remote locations; displaying on a page one or
more operative data-entry fields configured to process a selection
operation from the retail-industry user that specifies one or more
dates or date ranges, wherein the operative data-entry fields are
substantially only those required to obtain the dates or date
ranges associated with the at least one specified report format;
wherein the retail-industry user navigates between one or more of
the selection operations using Internet-browser navigation
mechanisms; and wherein access to and administration of the
underlying point-of- sale data is controlled as a function of the
report formats and remote locations made available for the user to
choose in defining the report format so that the user obtains
access only to a selected portion of the point-of-sale data; (e)
generating a report using the report format, the report being based
on point-of-sale data related to the specified remote locations and
the specified dates or date ranges; and (f) enabling the
retail-industry user to view or obtain the generated report using
the Internet.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein (d) includes communicating the
report format over the Internet from the central computing
device.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein (d) includes specifying a
subset of the multiple remote locations on which to base the
report.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein (d) includes displaying the
operative data-entry fields configured to receive input from the
retail-industry user that specifies a date range covering multiple
days.
26. A system for generating report data based on retail
point-of-sale data transferred between multiple remote computing
devices and the system, the system comprising: (a) a processor; (b)
a memory unit coupled to the processor to store instructions which,
when executed by the processor perform a process including, (c)
transferring point-of-sale data to the system from multiple
computing devices at multiple remote locations, wherein such
locations comprise retail stores; (d) a retail-industry user
logging into the system for the purpose of defining a report data
format using an Internet-browser interface, wherein the defining
includes, displaying one or more predetermined report data format
types; and displaying one or more data collection fields for
collecting dates, date ranges, or comparative periods; (e)
generating report data using the report data format, the report
data being based on point-of-sale data related to certain of the
remote locations and certain of the dates, date ranges or
comparative periods; and (f) enabling the retail-industry user to
view or obtain the generated report data using the Internet.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein the retail point-of-sale data
includes restaurant point-of-sale data.
28. The system of claim 26, wherein the transferring occurs
automatically on a daily basis.
29. A system for generating a retail-industry report data
comprising: (a) a processor; (b) a memory unit coupled to the
processor to store instructions which, when executed by the
processor perform a process including, (c) receiving point-of-sale
data in the system from multiple computing devices at multiple
remote locations; (d) receiving information used to define a report
data format from an Internet-browser, wherein the report data
format includes, a report data format type selected from a list of
predetermined report data format types; and a date, date range, or
comparative period received from a set of one or more data
collection fields of an Internet-browser interface; (e) generating
report data based on the report data format; (f) receiving a
request from an Internet-browser to view the report data; and (g)
presenting the report data to a retail-industry user for
viewing.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein receiving a report data format
includes emailing the report data to a report data to a
retail-industry user for viewing.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein receiving point-of-sale data is
performed on a daily basis.
32. A system for limiting access to point-of-sale data comprising:
(a) a processor; (b) a memory unit coupled to the processor to
store instructions which, when executed by the processor perform a
process including, (c) receiving the point-of-sale data from a
plurality of remote computers associated with a plurality of retail
stores; (d) receiving from a user a request to access the
point-of-sale data; (e) authenticating the user; (f) determining
reports that the user is permitted to access based on access rights
associated with the user, wherein some of the access rights are
based on the user's position within a retail organization; (g)
presenting a predetermined report data format based on the reports,
wherein the predetermined report data format allows access only to
a portion of the point-of-sale data; (h) generating report data
based on the report data format selection; and (i) presenting the
report data to the user.
33. The system of claim 31, wherein the user is permitted to access
more of the point-of-sale data as the user's position is higher in
the retail organization.
34. A system for limiting access to point-of-sale data comprising:
(a) a processor; (b) a memory unit coupled to the processor to
store instructions which, when executed by the processor perform a
process including, (c) receiving in the system point-of-sale data
from a plurality of distributed computers, wherein the distributed
computers are at a plurality of retail locations; (d) defining a
plurality report formats, wherein each of the report formats
determines a portion of the point-of-sale data that is accessible;
(e) receiving report format selections; (f) generating report data
based on the report format selections; and (g) presenting the
report data.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the report formats include one
format for each of the retail locations.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein each of the report formats
associated with the retail locations allows access to a different
portion of the point-of-sale data.
37. A system for reporting point-of-sale data comprising: (a) a
processor; (b) a memory unit coupled to the processor to store
instructions which, when executed by the processor perform a
process including, (c) receiving in the system the point-of-sale
data from a plurality of distributed computers; (d) arranging the
point-of-sale data into a searchable format; (e) receiving a report
format selection, wherein the report format selection is associated
with a portion of the point-of-sale data, wherein the report format
selection specifies a data, date range, or comparative period; (f)
generating report data based on the report format selection; and
(h) presenting the report data.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein the presenting includes
transmitting the report data by email.
39. The system of claim 37, wherein the report format selection
further specifies one of the plurality of locations.
40. A system for reporting point-of-sale data including: (a) a
processor; (b) a memory unit coupled to the processor to store
instructions which, when executed by the processor perform a
process including, (c) receiving the point-of-sale data from a
plurality of remote computers associated with a plurality of retail
stores; (d) organizing the retail stores into a plurality of
groups, wherein each of the groups has an associated report format,
wherein each report format includes a date, date range, or
comparative period; (e) presenting a list of the retail stores to a
user; (f) receiving a selection indicating one of the retail
stores; (g) presenting the report format associated with the one of
the retail stores for the user to configure; (h) generating report
data based on the report format; and (i) presenting the report data
to the user.
41. The system of claim 40, wherein each report format defines an
accessible portion of the point-of-sale data.
42. The system of claim 40, wherein one of the retail stores can be
in more than one of the groups.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the presenting includes
communicating the custom report format over the Internet from the
central computing device.
44. A system for generating custom reports based on restaurant
point-of-sale data transferred between multiple remote computing
devices and a central computing device, the system comprising: (a)
a processor; (b) a memory unit coupled to the processor to store
instructions which, when executed by the processor perform a
process including, (c) transferring point-of-sale data to a central
computing device from multiple computing devices at multiple remote
locations, wherein such locations comprise restaurants; (d) a
restaurant-industry user logging into a web site for the purpose of
defining a custom report format using an Internet-browser
interface, wherein such defining is initiated with web-based report
generating selection operations starting from a report initiating
page and concluding with a report request selection, wherein the
selection operations include: displaying on a page one or more
report formats, wherein each displayed report format is presented
at least in part with textual information indicative of the nature
of the report format, wherein the page is configured to process a
selection operation from the restaurant-industry user that
specifies at least one of the report formats, and wherein the at
least one report format accesses a selected portion of the
point-of-sale data as defined in one or more queries used to
populate the at least one report format; displaying on a page one
or more remote locations associated with the restaurant-industry
user according to one or more user permissions that can be assigned
by an administrator on a user-by-user basis, wherein each displayed
remote location is presented at least in part with textual
information indicative of the remote location, and wherein the page
is configured to process a selection operation from the
restaurant-industry user that specifies at least one of the remote
locations; displaying on a page one or more operative data-entry
fields configured to process a selection operation from the
restaurant-industry user that specifies one or more dates or date
ranges, wherein the operative data-entry fields are substantially
only those required to obtain the dates or date ranges associated
with the at least one specified report format; wherein the
restaurant-industry user navigates between one or more of the
selection operations using Internet-browser navigation mechanisms;
and wherein access to and administration of the underlying
point-of- sale data is controlled as a function of the report
formats and remote locations made available for the user to choose
in defining the custom report format so that the user obtains
access only to a selected portion of the point-of-sale data; (e)
generating a custom report using the custom report format, the
custom report being based on point-of-sale data related to the
specified remote locations and the specified dates or date ranges;
and (f) enabling the restaurant-industry user to view or obtain the
generated custom report using the Internet.
45. The system of claim 44, wherein (d) includes communicating the
report format over the Internet from the central computing
device.
47. The system of claim 44, wherein (d) includes specifying a
subset of the multiple remote locations on which to base the
report.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The subject matter of this application is related to the
subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/157,467,
filed Oct. 1, 1999, which is incorporated by reference herein and
priority to which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to the electronic collection and
collation of information from various data sources. More
particularly, embodiments of the invention create custom-formatted
reports, based on point-of-sale data from franchise restaurants,
for example, that authorized users can access easily from multiple
locations.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Embodiments of the invention use the Internet for
transmitting point-of-sale data between computing devices. The
Internet has terminology specific to it. The following terms should
assist in understanding the Internet in general and embodiments of
the invention disclosed herein:
[0006] HTML: Hypertext Mark Up Language. The language that
web-based documents are written in.
[0007] Browser: Software that allows you to interact with HTML
documents.
[0008] IE: Internet Explorer. A commonly used browser.
[0009] URL: Uniform Resource Locator. The address of a web
site.
[0010] Web Page: A single HTML document (it may be more than one
page long when printed).
[0011] Web Site: A collection of pages written in HTML.
[0012] Home Page: The first page of a web site or the first page
that a browser displays when it is started.
[0013] Download: The process of moving information from the
Internet to your computer. When you look at a site in your web
browser, the information is downloaded.
[0014] Upload: The process of moving information from your computer
to the Internet.
[0015] HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The method of moving HTML
documents.
[0016] Hyperlink (link): The method of moving around an HTML
document. Links can be graphics or text. Links can take you to
another page in a site, to a different site, or to an e-mail
form.
[0017] FTP: File Transfer Protocol. The method of moving non-HTML
documents (such as graphic and daily extract files).
[0018] WWW: World Wide Web. An area of the Internet where web sites
are stored. Also the first three letters of most URLs.
[0019] Internet: A collection of HTML documents that are accessible
to users who have access to the Internet.
[0020] ISP: Internet Service Provider: A company that allows
Internet users access to their computers. The company from which
you rent the ability to connect to the Internet.
[0021] GUI: Graphical User Interface. Pronounced "gooey." A program
that uses graphics to enable users to interface with information.
IE, Windows 95 and Windows 98 are GUIs.
[0022] Point-of-sale systems have enjoyed tremendous popularity in
the restaurant industry and other industries. Such systems
typically perform data input and storage, and, in combination with
back-office or back-of-the-house systems, perform corresponding
analysis and output. Inventory control, suggestive selling prompts,
accurate timekeeping and scheduling, remote access management,
coupon usage and effectiveness analysis, purchase-order generation
based on historical sales, and other record keeping and analysis
activities are among the functions that such systems can
perform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Using the power and speed of the Internet, embodiments of
the invention electronically collect and collate information from
point-of-sale data sources. That information then is turned into
custom-formatted reports that authorized users can access easily
using any computer that has Internet access and a suitable web
browser, e.g. Internet Explorer.
[0024] Embodiments of the invention work effortlessly, with little
or no changes needed in the underlying technology infrastructure.
Franchisees, for example, do not need to invest in expensive
additional equipment or software, according to embodiments of the
invention. Additionally, administrative tasks can be performed by
just one person (depending on the number of stores in the franchise
or other operation). Often the biggest hurdle to implementing new
technology is the cost of equipment and/or personnel. In most
cases, however, embodiments of the invention remove both of those
hurdles, making it easier to receive quality, meaningful
information about a business, e.g. a franchise operation.
[0025] By using the Internet, users with appropriate permission can
set up their own report subscriptions and can request reports on
any combination of stores for any range of dates, for example.
Additionally, although reports are delivered over the Internet and
are displayed using browser technology, the access web site is
protected by appropriate security strategies. A valid user name and
password are required, and automatic log-out occurs when a user
leaves the site inactive for more than a desired time period, e.g.
15 minutes. Additionally, the data is in read-only format, so
general users do not have the ability to make changes to the data
source.
[0026] Other advantages and features of the invention in its
various embodiments will be apparent from the remainder of this
patent application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect
to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like
elements, and in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a computer system
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing locations and
organizational units, according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow chart according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a screen map diagram, according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows a log-in screen, according to an embodiment of
the invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a requested reports screen, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a requested reports screen with expanded
drop-down list, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a week-to-date report request screen, according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 shows another portion of the FIG. 8 screen;
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a screen including a restaurant selection box,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 11 shows an acknowledgement screen, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 12 shows the FIG. 11 screen with a notifier icon;
[0040] FIG. 13 shows the FIG. 12 screen with a drop-down list
having a highlighted item, according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0041] FIG. 14 shows a screen listing a requested report, according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 15 shows a Sales Mix Report request screen, according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 16 shows a Periodic Sales Report request screen,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIGS. 17-18 show a Data Grouping drop-down list on the FIG.
16 screen;
[0045] FIG. 19 shows a Planned Sales Report request screen,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 20 shows a Day Part Mix Report request screen,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 21 shows a subscription request screen, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 22 shows end date and begin date boxes for use in
requesting a subscription, according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0049] FIG. 23 shows a portion of a new subscription request
screen, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 24 shows a Week-To-Date/Period-To-Date sample report,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 25A shows a first portion of a Sales Mix sample report,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 25B shows a second portion of a Sales Mix sample
report, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0053] FIG. 26 shows a Periodic Sales Sample report, according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 27 shows a Price Variation sample report, according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 28 shows a Planned Sales sample report, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 29 shows a Day Part Mix sample report, according to an
embodiment of the invention; and
[0057] FIG. 30 shows a Menu Item sample report according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0058] Embodiments of the invention have wide application to a
variety of businesses and business operations. Although primary
embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to
point-of-sale systems in restaurants, and, more specifically, to
generating custom-formatted reports based on the point-of-sale
data, the invention is not necessarily limited to those
embodiments.
[0059] The following terminology may be helpful in understanding
certain embodiments and features of the invention:
[0060] Accounting Dates: A calendaring system that divides a year
into 13 28-day periods. Accounting dates appear in
day/week/period/year (D/W/PP/YY) format. For instance, 4/3/11/99
means the 4.sup.th day of the 3.sup.rd week in period 11 of 1999.
This system is different than those used in certain back-office
computer systems, which use a period/week/day/year (PP/W/D/YY)
format and where the day mentioned previously would be represented
as 11/3/4/99.
[0061] Calendar Dates: Dates as they are generally used in the
United States. Calendar dates are displayed in month/date/year
(MM/DD/YY) format.
[0062] Data Source: The information that is downloaded from the
point-of-sale system in each store. Also called the "daily extract
(TBE) file."
[0063] POS System: Point of sale system. The equipment and related
software that gather information at the point of sales, often
including a cash register.
[0064] Comparable: An option that can be chosen, while requesting
some reports, that instructs embodiments of the invention to adjust
the outcome of reports that have both a current and a prior period
to include data from the daily extract file only if the data
appears in both periods. For instance, say a user requests a Sales
Mix Report, to be described, for both the current week and the same
week one year ago for a certain district. If the franchisee has
added a new store to that district in the last few months, turning
on the Comparable feature excludes the new store from the current
period in this report only.
[0065] ICOS: Ideal Cost of Sale. The amount that it costs to make
an item, e.g. a menu item, if it is made using the correct amount
of each ingredient or raw material.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, embodiments of the invention generate
custom reports based on point-of-sale data transferred over the
Internet between multiple remote computing devices 10, 20 and
central computing device 30. Communication relay 40 is provided to
communicate e.g. electronic signals relating to or representing the
data. Communication relay 40 preferably includes or is embodied in
the Internet in its various forms and definitions, including e-mail
and other communication mechanisms. Of course, the invention
contemplates using future generations of the Internet, e-mail
communication systems and other new forms of electronic
communication that may arise.
[0067] To simplify the disclosure, only two remote computing
devices 10, 20 are illustrated in FIG. 1. Embodiments of the
invention, however, contemplate a much larger number of such
computing devices. The computing devices, and/or their respective
locations, can be organized into multiple hierarchical or
organizational units, as will be described. Additionally, although
only one central computing device 30 is illustrated, embodiments of
the invention contemplate multiple central computing devices 30 if
needed or desired for a particular application or environment.
[0068] Remote computing devices 10, 20, as well as central
computing device 30, include various input/output, memory, storage
and other devices such as mouse 50, disk 60, CD-ROM 70 and other
computer-readable media for storing computer programs, data and
other information. Additionally, each remote computing device 10,
20 preferably is operably connected to or itself includes
traditional point-of-sale equipment known in the art, such as cash
register 80 and/or associated equipment.
[0069] Turning to FIG. 2, multiple restaurants, stores, retail
sales facilities or other remote locations 90 are illustrated, each
having a separate store identification number as shown. Each
location 90 communicates by an appropriate direct communication
link 100 to central location 95, and/or by the more centralized
communication relay 40 of FIG. 1. Each remote location 90 includes
one or more remote computing devices 10, 20, preferably connected
to a communications interface. Central location 95, such as the
corporate offices of a business, includes one or more central
computing devices 30.
[0070] According to embodiments of the invention, central location
95 can be temporarily or permanently moved to one of the remote
locations 90, and the terms "central location" and "remote
location" should be so interpreted as appropriate. An owner of
multiple franchise locations, for example, can monitor franchise
operations not only from a corporate office, but also from one of
the remote locations at which a temporary or permanent "central
office" has been set up.
[0071] Stores 90 are organized into organizational units, according
to embodiments of the invention. According to one embodiment, these
units comprise geographic districts 110, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
Alternatively, the organizational units can be districts or
divisions that rely on other than geographical divisions. They can
also be of a more conceptual nature, such as fiscal year units 120
denoting the year in which a particular store began operations.
Significantly, each store or other location 90 can be assigned to
any number of organizational units. For example, store 3 in FIG. 2
is in both unit 110 and unit 120. Organizational units can be
defined in any manner desired for a particular application or
environment.
[0072] FIG. 3 illustrates one method embodiment according to the
invention. As indicated at 130, the method includes generating
data, such as point-of-sale data, at multiple remote locations. The
data can be generated by a cash register, bar code scanner or other
reader, or other device. The generating device is operably coupled
to at least one computing device, or is embodied in a computing
device, as described above.
[0073] At 140, the point-of-sale data is transferred to a central
computing device from the multiple computing devices at the
respective multiple remote locations. Each remote location can
include one or more computing devices. According to one embodiment,
the transfer occurs automatically by internal or external e-mail.
Separate fields or specialized spacing within the body of the
e-mail designate particular data, according to one embodiment. The
transfer also can occur in other ways, such as by using other
aspects of the Internet, by floppy disk, wireless link, satellite
hookup, cellular network, or other known ways of transferring data
from one computing device to another.
[0074] A custom report format is defined at 150. According to one
embodiment, the custom report format specifies at least two of the
multiple remote locations and specifies a date range. The date
range and the locations are freely selectable by a user, as will be
described.
[0075] A custom report then is generated at 160, using the custom
report format. More specifically, the custom report is based on the
e.g. point-of-sale data related to the remote locations and date
range specified and freely selected by the user.
[0076] At 170, the custom report is communicated to a human being,
such as a corporate officer, a franchise owner or manager, or other
interested party at either the central location or at one or more
of the remote locations. The custom report can be communicated by
direct display at one of the computing devices, by e-mail to a
designated party, otherwise over the Internet, in hard copy, or in
the other ways described above.
[0077] Specific embodiments of the invention particularly directed
to the restaurant industry now will be described with reference to
FIGS. 4-30. As referenced earlier, however, the invention applies
to other computing environments and industries, not just the
restaurant industry. Further, as technology advances, the invention
likely will use other modes of communication and interaction with
the Internet, not just those known at present.
[0078] According to one embodiment, a user of the disclosed system
has a computer, for example a standard personal computer, with a
recent version of an Internet browser, e.g. Internet Explorer.
According to one embodiment, the browser should have the Active X
Controller loaded and incorporated. An Internet connection or other
connection with a suitable communication mechanism is also
desirable. To receive reports received by e-mail, it is desirable
for a user to have standard data decompression software, such as
WinZip.
[0079] At least two types of users are contemplated, each with
their own permissions and assigned capabilities to use the system.
General users will have different permissions than administrators,
for example. Specifically, in the restaurant industry, a restaurant
general manager is able to access only information about the store
or stores that he/she manages. A district manager can access any or
all of the stores for which he/she has responsibility. Officers at
the corporate level, owners, or other persons higher up in the
organization, can see data for all stores. Administrators have the
right to make changes to how the system is configured, the power to
create user profiles and passwords, and the ability to update the
system to reflect acquisition of new stores, changes in menu items
or pricing, or other changes.
[0080] The first step in using the system is to access a login
screen, step 200 of FIG. 4. After connecting to the Internet, for
example, the web browser can be directed to the URL for the login
page. For future logins, a desktop shortcut can be created to the
login page, the page can be made a "favorite" or "bookmark" in the
browser, or the page can be made the home page for the browser.
[0081] One specific login page 200 according to an embodiment of
the invention is shown in FIG. 5. The user name and password fields
are case sensitive. When a correct user name and password are
entered, requested reports screen 210 appears. One such requested
reports screen is illustrated in FIG. 6. Requested reports screen
210 is the starting point for requesting reports, setting up
subscriptions, viewing lists of requested reports and performing
other functions.
[0082] Requested reports are listed in report detail area 220 of
screen 210. Reports remain listed in area 220 until they are
actively deleted by the user, according to one embodiment. Unread
reports appear first on the list, followed by read reports. Reports
can be added to area 220 by directly requesting them, or by having
them sent to the user by the subscription or forward functions, to
be described.
[0083] Report detail area 220 includes a number of columns of
information. In the leftmost column, forward button 230 allows a
user to forward a report that already has been run. Importance
indicator column 240 shows if a report has been requested with high
priority, denoted by a red exclamation point or other symbol.
Column 250 indicates the read or unread status of a report, a
report that has been read showing an open envelope, for example.
Column 260 includes "to be deleted" boxes. If a check mark appears
in the box for a specific report, the report will be deleted the
next time the user clicks delete button 270. Description column 280
displays the description given each report at the time that it was
requested. The type of report requested is shown in column 290, the
number of pages in column 300, the run date in column 310, and any
persons to whom the report was forwarded in column 320.
[0084] To open a report, its description in column 280 is "clicked"
or otherwise designated. To print a report, the description is
clicked and the report appears on the screen, e.g. in the lower
portion of screen 210 in a manner to be described. With the report
appearing on the screen, print button 330 is clicked. Print
parameters, such as print range, may be requested by the site at
that time.
[0085] To forward a report to another user, forward button 230 is
clicked, a report description and delivery method information
entered, and a submit button clicked. The report will be forwarded
by e-mail or other desired communication method. Reports can be
forwarded to other users of the system by web or e-mail delivery,
or to non-users of the system by e.g. any valid e-mail address.
[0086] The reports listed in area 220 can be sorted in ascending or
descending alphabetical or other order by clicking the appropriate
column heading one or more times. The time of day can be displayed
at 350, and 360 is an icon that indicates whether a requested
report has been generated and is ready for viewing by the user.
[0087] Drop-down list 370 is shown in inactive form in FIG. 6 and
active form in FIG. 7. To update the contents of requested reports
screen 210, the "Requested Reports" item can be selected from list
370. Alternatively, the standard browser refresh icon can be
clicked. To view current report subscriptions, the "Report
Subscriptions" item list in 370 is chosen. To request a specific
report, the appropriate report name in area 380 of list 370 is
chosen. According to the FIG. 7 embodiment, eight such reports are
available: Week To Date, Period To Date, Sales Mix, Periodic Sales,
Price Variation, Planned Sales, Day Part Mix, and Menu Item.
Specific aspects and features of these reports are described below.
Of course, any number of additional reports can be generated and
are contemplated by the invention, such as Ranking Reports,
described below.
[0088] Once a report type is selected from list 370, the user is
presented with one or more new report screens, as indicated at 390
in FIG. 4.
[0089] One specific new report screen, a Week To Date report
request screen, is illustrated in FIGS. 8-9. Screen 400 is divided
into an upper portion 410, which remains substantially fixed, and
lower portion 420, which itself has upper and lower portions as
indicated by vertical scroll bar 430. FIG. 8 illustrates the top
half of portion 420 and FIG. 9 illustrates the lower half of
portion 420.
[0090] Screen 400 includes restaurant selection box 440. Box 440
presents a hierarchical list of all restaurants available to the
user, presented in groups 450 such as the organizational units
described above. Significantly, one restaurant can appear in more
that one group. The plus symbol (+) in front of a group name means
that the group itself contains additional items, e.g. more groups
and/or stores. To see the groups/stores in that group, the user
clicks the plus symbol. When all items in that group are shown, the
plus symbol is changed to a minus symbol (-), as indicated in FIG.
10.
[0091] In other words, to choose groups/stores in box 440, the user
clicks the plus symbol in front of the highest group in the
hierarchy, expanding the list. The list continues to be expanded
until the user sees the group/store desired for the report in
question. The empty space in front of the group/store name is
clicked, and check mark 460 or other appropriate symbol appears, as
shown in FIG. 10. Groups/stores may be selected in any combination
for each report. To unselect a selected store, check mark 460 is
clicked once, making it disappear.
[0092] Box 440 is the subject of Active X Control, according to
this embodiment. Appropriate software, controls or other electronic
information can be downloaded automatically to the user's personal
computer or other computing device to activate and enable box 440.
Dates box 470 allows the user to choose the date format in which
the desired date range will be specified. Accounting dates,
calendar dates, "taco" or other proprietary system date formats can
be selected. Accounting dates help ensure the user is comparing
like periods of time, but any date format can be used according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0093] Report date box 480 accepts the date variables for the
requested report, in the format specified by the user. Depending on
the report requested, there may be multiple report date fields. The
Week To Date report request of FIG. 8, however, requires only one
field.
[0094] For generating comparables, a comparable box (not
illustrated in FIG. 8) can be provided on screen 400, preferably
underneath report date box 480 or in another readily accessible
location. The comparable box enables the user to adjust the outcome
of a report, if it has a current period and a prior period, to
include data from the daily extract file only if the data appears
in both periods, as described above. For example, if a user
requests a Week To Date report for the current week and the same
week one fiscal year ago, for a particular district, and a new
store has been added to that district recently, activating the
comparable feature would exclude the new store from the current
period in the current report.
[0095] In FIG. 9, a report description can be entered in box 490.
The report description will appear in column 280 of FIG. 6, as
previously described. Because the run date and report type are
already shown on requested reports screen 210, the most helpful
information to include in description box 490 often is the date
range and/or store grouping.
[0096] Importance box 500 can be checked to activate column 240 of
requested reports screen 210. Delivery method is selected at 510.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the delivery method can be
either web or e-mail delivery. If web delivery is chosen, the
report will appear on requested reports screen 210 once the request
has been processed. If e-mail delivery is requested, the report
will not appear on the requested reports screen. Instead, it will
be forwarded to the e-mail address entered in box 520.
[0097] Once all of the relevant information is entered, the user
clicks submit button 530. If the user has omitted any item of
necessary information, a message will appear prompting the user to
enter the information in the appropriate field. Otherwise, an
acknowledgement screen, such as screen 540 in FIG. 11, appears with
acknowledgement 550. The user can then request another report or
simply wait for the requested report to appear.
[0098] If the user simply waits, envelope 360 or other suitable
icon appears on the same acknowledgement screen 540, as shown in
FIG. 12. The user then highlights the "Requested Reports" item in
drop down list 370, as shown in FIG. 13. Shortly thereafter, the
requested report appears in area 220, as shown in FIG. 14. Other
reports then can be generated and added to the list of requested
reports in area 220.
[0099] Other new report screens 390 (FIG. 4) are shown in FIGS.
15-20. FIG. 15 shows Sales Mix Report request screen 570, with
current period boxes 580, prior period boxes 590 and comparable box
600, the function and use of which is described above.
[0100] FIG. 16 shows Periodic Sales Report request screen 610. In
addition to previously described boxes and fields, screen 610
includes data grouping drop-down list 620, illustrated in more
detail in FIGS. 17-18. Date grouping drop-down list 630 includes
choices for individual days of the week, the entire week, or the
entire period.
[0101] FIG. 19 shows Planned Sales Report request screen 640, which
includes report year box 650 for entry of the desired year for the
report. FIG. 20 shows the lower portion of Day Part Mix Report
request screen 660. The user selects start and end times in boxes
670 and enters a description for the day part in box 680. When Add
Day Part button 690 is clicked, the times and description appear in
Current Day Part Settings box 700. To remove a day part from box
700, the appropriate line item in box 700 is highlighted, and
Remove Day Part button 710 clicked.
[0102] For some business, an official business day begins at 6:00
a.m. on one day and ends at 5:59 a.m. on the next day. If the user
tries to set up a day part that begins before 6:00 a.m. and ends
after 6:00 a.m., an error message is generated, according to one
embodiment, telling the user that the end time is before the start
time. Suitable error messages can be generated or other indications
provided for official business days having other start and end
times, of course.
[0103] Returning momentarily to FIG. 4, a user can proceed from
requested reports screen 210 to subscription request screen 720,
using the "Report Subscriptions" item in drop-down list 370 (FIG.
7), for example. One specific subscription request screen 720 is
shown in FIG. 21.
[0104] Subscriptions are requests for reports that recur. For
instance, if a user wishes to see a Period To Date report at the
end of each week, the user can create a subscription that
automatically forwards the report to the user, by web delivery,
e-mail or other mode, every week.
[0105] Report type selection drop-down list 730 enables the user to
begin the process of setting up a subscription by selecting a
report type. The reports appearing in list 730 can be the same as
those appearing in list 370 on requested reports screen 210, for
example, or can be a subset of those reports and/or include
additional reports. Subscription detail area 740 is similar to
detail area 220 of requested reports screen 210 (FIG. 6) and will
not be described again in detail. The user may wish to include the
word "subscription" in the description, so that it can easily be
determined, when the report is delivered, that it came from a
subscription. To update the contents of screen 720, the "Report
Subscriptions" item from drop-down list 370 can be selected, or the
browser refresh icon clicked. Other features of screen 720 are
similar to those described with respect to previous screens and
will not be repeated, to simplify the description.
[0106] Once a report type is selected from drop-down list 730, a
respective new subscription screen 750 appears, as indicated in
FIG. 4. One portion of screen 750 asks the user to enter the
relevant data for the specific report, in a manner already
described. In addition, each subscription screen 750 includes end
date and begin date boxes 760, 770, as shown in FIG. 22. Depending
on the number of periods that the user is asked to specify for a
specific report, multiple boxes 760, 770 will appear. FIG. 22
represents a Day Part Mix Report subscription request. Because both
current periods and prior periods are required to be entered, each
period has its own end date box 760 and begin date box 770, as
shown.
[0107] FIG. 23 shows selection box 780, which appears below the
report set up boxes described earlier and below the boxes of FIG.
22, according to one embodiment. Many features of FIG. 23 are
similar to those of FIG. 9, except that they apply to report
subscriptions instead of reports themselves. These features will
not be repeated, to simplify the disclosure.
[0108] Delivery ranking list 790 is used by the system to determine
what priority to give to the processing of subscriptions. Each day,
the system processes the subscriptions that are due that day. A
subscription with a higher importance ranking will be processed
before one having a lower ranking. Rankings can include, in order,
critical, very important, important, medium, and low, for example.
If web delivery is chosen at 800, the requested subscribed report
will appear on the requested reports screen. If e-mail delivery is
requested at 800, the report will not appear on the requested
reports screen but will instead be forwarded to the designated
e-mail address.
[0109] Setting Report Dates in Subscriptions
[0110] Embodiments of the invention are flexible enough to allow a
user to ask for any report, including any subscribed report, to
cover any period of time. To accomplish this flexibility,
embodiments of the invention determine a subscriptions date range
in a relative, versus absolute, way.
[0111] Relative Versus Absolute Dates: Date ranges to be specified
in subscriptions are relative. Because subscriptions are designed
to be repeating in nature, if the user were to set an absolute
begin date or end date, the report would not recur. For example, if
a report is set up to show data from Tuesday, September 14 to
Monday, September 20 (absolute report dates), that subscription
would only run once, as those dates occur only once in a given
year.
[0112] Setting report dates in relative terms, however, allows the
report to run every time the specified relationship between dates
exists. Therefore, according to embodiments of the invention, a
user picks an end date and defines its relationship to the
beginning date as a date that is "one week earlier," for example.
In this case, the subscription can and will run a report every day.
This is because the relationship between the end date and the
beginning date exists every day. For any date selected as an end
date, there is always a date that is one week earlier.
[0113] Depending on the specific report for which a subscription is
set up, more than one date may be requested. The Price Variation
report, for example, asks for a beginning and end date. The Week To
Date report, on the other hand, asks only for a report date. The
Sales Mix report and Day Part Mix report described earlier ask for
four dates - current begin date, current end date, prior begin
date, and prior end date.
[0114] According to one embodiment, all reports are based on the
most current daily extract file. According to one embodiment, the
most current daily extract file represents the day before the
current date. Therefore, on Tuesday, September 21, the daily
extract file is for business on September 20. Therefore, whenever a
subscription is created, the "extract date" is always
yesterday.
[0115] Report dates build on each other, beginning with the most
current date and extending backwards. Therefore, a subscription
always begins by setting the end date. If there is more than one
report date in a subscription, subsequent report dates will always
be set in relation to the end date.
[0116] Because the user sets the end date first, the box (e.g. box
760 in FIG. 22) for the end date is preferably shown first, i.e.
above the corresponding begin date box (770). The end date is set
in relation to the date of the most recent daily extract, which is
always yesterday. Once the end date is determined, the begin date
is set in relationship to it.
[0117] The following tables provide examples of date ranges that
can be set, and how they would be set using boxes 760, 770
according to the invention. The first table shows calendar dates
and the second table shows the same examples using accounting
dates.
1 Examples of calendar dates (Month/Day/Year) End Date Current
Begin Date Result Current Extract Go Resulting Go Begin Date Date
Date Variable Back End Date Variable Back Date Range Sep. 1, 1999
Aug. 31, 1999 Day 2 days Aug. 29, 1999 Period Begin 2 periods Jul.
9, 1999 Jul. 9, 1999 to Date (Aug. 4, 1999) Aug. 29, 1999 Aug. 25,
1999 Aug. 24, 1999 Week 5 weeks Jul. 14, 1999 Date (Jul. 14, 1999)
3 weeks Jun. 23, 1999 Jun. 23, 1999 to Begin Date 7/14/99 Aug. 18,
1999) Examples using equivalent accounting dates
(Day/Week/Period/Year) End Date Current Begin Date Result Current
Extract Go Resulting Go Begin Date Date Date Variable Back End Date
Variable Back Date Range 1/1/10/99 7/4/9/99 Day 2 days 5/4/9/99
Period Begin 2 periods 1/1/7/99 1/1/7/99 to Date (1/1/9/99)
5/4/9/99 1/4/9/99 7/3/9/99 Week 5 weeks 1/2/8/99 Date (1/2/8/99) 3
weeks 1/3/7/99 1/3/7/99 to Begin Date 1/2/8/99 (1/3/9/99)
[0118] Report Information
[0119] Illustrated embodiments of the invention include nine
separate reports, the theory of each of which will now be
described. As described previously, reports may be customized to
look at any combination of stores, from one store to all stores,
for any date range. Each report preferably shows the date and time
it was requested, and the number of pages in the report, also in
the manner previously described. Sample reports are shown in FIGS.
24-30.
[0120] 1. Week To Date Report-FIG. 24
[0121] Report Theory: The Week To Date report shows the performance
of a selected store(s) and/or group(s) for over 40 different
metrics of the business for the current day, as well as for the
current week and the same week in the previous year.
[0122] Using This Report: Because it contains all the pertinent
information about a business, it can serve as a starting place for
all management discussions, yet each user can focus on different
information based on their interest. For instance, a franchisee
might be most interested in the WTD and YTD sales figures, while a
manager might focus on overrings and a restaurant general manager
may look at labor figures.
[0123] 2. Period To Date Report-FIG. 24
[0124] Report Theory: The Period To Date report is identical to the
Week To Date report except gives daily and period to date
information.
[0125] Using This Report: Use it as you would the Week To Date
report.
[0126] 3. Sales Mix Report-FIGS. 25A and 25B
[0127] Report Theory: The Sales Mix report shows what products were
sold by unit and by dollar value.
[0128] Using This Report:
[0129] The report can help a user understand how selected store(s)
are doing relative to company goals.
[0130] It can help the user decide to raise or lower prices. When
prices are changed, the user can quickly see the impact of those
changes on the number of units sold.
[0131] The user can see if marketing modules are successful. It can
aid in deciding whether to vary from suggested prices for future
marketing modules.
[0132] 4. Periodic Sales Report-FIG. 26
[0133] Report Theory: The Periodic Sales Report allows the user to
look at two periods of time and compare performance on the
following business metrics: including sales, deposit, cash +/-,
items per transaction, average ticket, counter ticket, percent
beverage, transactions, overring dollars, overring percent, number
of overrings, delete dollars, delete percent, number of deletes,
drive through time, counter time, number of cars, drive through
dollars, drive through dollars percent, average per car, or ICOS
variance.
[0134] Using This Report: This report can help the user focus
attention on one business metric by looking at current and prior
activity for a date or range of dates. It can also help determine
trend.
[0135] 5. Price Variation Report-FIG. 27
[0136] Report Theory: The Price Variation Report compares the menu
item prices charged at the POS against an authorized price list.
This report is useful in determining where stores may not have made
required price updates or where errors were made in those updates
or in the system. Only menu items where there is some reported
price variance will show on this report.
[0137] Using This Report: District managers and store managers will
find this report helpful in determining that price updates are
occurring on a timely and accurate basis.
[0138] 6. Planned Sales Report--FIG. 28
[0139] Report Theory: The Planned Sales report shows the plan
numbers that are contained in the system.
[0140] Using This Report: This report lists the data entered in the
system for planned sales, figures which are used in many
calculations in other reports. If a store undergoes a remodel or if
other planned or unplanned interruptions (or upswings) occur in
business, this report can be used to see the current planned sales
and begin the process of determining if these figures need to be
changed.
[0141] 7. Day Part Mix Report-FIG. 29
[0142] Report Theory: Day Part Sales Mix shows e.g. sales,
transactions, and average checks by time periods as small as e.g.
15 minutes. A day part can include as few as one 15-minute or
smaller increment so that sales activity can be tracked very
closely. The day parts are set up by the user at the time the
report is requested and can be changed at as often as
necessary.
[0143] Using This Report:
[0144] Some national marketing modules are aimed at boosting sales
during a certain time period. This report can help a franchisee see
if the modules are actually meeting the stated goals.
[0145] It can help the user decide whether to change a store's
hours of operation or how to change staffing patterns.
[0146] 8. Menu Item Report-FIG. 30
[0147] Report Theory: Like the Planned Sales report, the Menu Item
Report lists the product costs and profit margins that are
contained in the system. It should be updated periodically.
[0148] Using This Report: This report shows you the relationship
between the cost, price, and profit of each product the operation
sells.
[0149] 9. Ranking Report
[0150] There are actually three different ranking reports. The only
difference between them is the variable they rank by--drive through
speed of service, counter speed of service, and productivity, for
example. Because the reports are identical except for this
variable, the information description given below applies for all
three reports.
[0151] Report Theory: This report ranks stores on a variety of
variables, for instance drive through or counter speed of service
or productivity, showing the rankings for the day and for the
WTD/PTD/CustomToDate. It also imbeds the company average to enable
the user to see which stores are above and below the company
average. In addition, if the user picks a subset of all stores,
those stores will be ranked in a separate section of the
report.
[0152] Using This Report: This report can be used to motivate
district and store managers, for example.
[0153] Report Data Definitions
[0154] Week To Date/Period To Date Report Data Definition (Note:
Because the Week To Date and Period To Date reports are identical
except for the period they cover, the data definitions are given
only once.)
[0155] This report includes six sections--the heading, the recap,
top body, top total, bottom body, bottom total. The heading
information and recap information appear only on the first page of
the document. All the data about one stores appears in two lines,
one in the top body and one in the bottom body. The top and bottom
totals appear on the last page of the report and total all the
stores in the report.
2 Header Information H1 Stores: The store(s) and/or group(s) of
stores included in the report. H2 From: The beginning date of the
date range analyzed. For WTD reports, it will always be the date of
the Wednesday of the week being analyzed. For PTD reports, it will
always be the first day of the period being analyzed, which will
also be a Wednesday. H3 To: The date of the last daily extract
(which will always be yesterday). For WTD reports, it will always
be no later than the Tuesday of the week being analyzed. For PTD
reports, it will always be no later than the last day of the period
being analyzed. H4 Number of days reporting: The number of days in
the date range. For WTD reports, the number will range from 1 to 7.
For PTD reports, the number will range from 1 to 28. H5 Number of
stores reporting: The number of stores summarized on the report out
of the number of stores requested by the user. These two number
will usually be the same unless the Comparable box was checked when
the report was requested. Recap Information: Where appropriate, a
figure is shown for both the day and the week/period. R1 Actual
Sales: The total of the daily sales for the date shown in H3 and
Weekly/Period Sales for all the dates in the date range (from H2 to
H3) for all stores shown in H1. R2 Historical Sales: The total of
the daily sales and weekly/period sales for the same business day
and week/period in the previous year for all stores shown in H1. R3
Plan: The average of the planned daily and weekly/period sales for
all stores shown in H1. R4 +/- Historical: The percentage of
difference between the Actual (R1) and Historical (R2) sales. R5
+/- Plan: The percentage of difference between Actual (R1) and
Planned (R3) sales. R6 +/- Projection: The percentage of difference
between the actual and project plan sales for the day and
week/period, based on the performance of the stores shown in H1 in
the report to date (i.e., how far above or below projected plan the
stores will be at the current rate of sales). Top Body Information
TB1 Store Number: Number of the store about which information in
the subsequent columns is reported. TB2 Daily--Actual: Actual sales
for the day of the report (H3). TB3 Daily--Hist: Actual sales for
the same accounting date in the previous year. TB4 Daily--% +/-:
The percentage of difference between Actual (TB2) and Historical
(TB3) sales. TB5 Daily--Plan: The planned sales for the day of the
report (H3). TB6 Daily--% +/-: The percentage of difference between
Actual (TB2) and Planned (TB5) sales. TB7 WTD/PTD--Actual: Actual
sales to date for the current week/ period of the report. TB8
WTD/PTD--History: Actual sales for the same accounting date range
in the previous year. TB9 WTD/PTD--% +/-: The percentage of
difference between WTD/PTD Actual (TB7) and WTD/PTD Historical
(TB8) sales. TB10 WTD/PTD--Plan: The planned sales for the
week/period of the report. TB11 WTD/PTD--% +/-: The percentage of
difference between WTD/PTD Actual (TB7) and WTD/PTD Planned (TB10)
sales. TB12 WTD/PTD Comp Sales: The percentage of difference
between WTD/PTD Actual sales and sales for the same accounting
period in the previous year. TB13 YTD Comp Sales: The percentage of
difference between year to date sales and year to date sales for
the previous year. TB14 Daily--Deposit: The actual cash deposit for
the day of the report shown in H3. TB15 Daily--Cash +/-: The
difference between the actual cash deposit (TB14) and the cash
deposit the POS system reported for the day shown in H3. TB16
WTD/PTD Cash +/-: The difference between the actual cash deposit
(TB14) and the cash deposit the POS system reported for the period
of the report shown in H2 & H3. TB17 Item Tran: The number of
items per transaction for the day of the report shown in H3. TB18
Avg Tick: The average price per transaction for the day of the
report shown in H3. TB19 Cnt Tick: The average price per
transaction for counter transactions for the day of the report
shown in H3. TB20 % Beverage: The percentage of actual sales (TB2)
represented by beverages. TB21 Transactions--Actual: The number of
transactions for the day of the report shown in H3. TB22
Transactions--Hist: The number of transactions for the same
accounting date in the previous year. TB23 Transactions--+/- %: The
percentage of difference between Actual (TB21) and Historical
(TB22) number of transactions. Top Body Total Information TBT1
Totals: The totals or weighted averages for all columns shown in
the Top Body. Bottom Body Information BB1 Store Number: The number
of the store about which information in the subsequent columns is
reported. BB2 Overrings--$: The dollar value of overrings for the
day of the report shown in H3. BB3 Overrings--%: The percentage of
Actual sales (TB2) represented by the Dollar Value of overrings
(BB2). BB4 Overrings--#: The number of overrings for the day of the
report shown in H3. BB5 Deletes--$: The dollar value of deleted
transactions for the day of the report shown in H3. BB6 Deletes--%:
The percentage of Actual sales (TB2) represented by the Dollar
Value of deletes (BB5). BB7 Deletes--#: Number of deleted
transactions for the day of the report shown in H3. BB8 Service
Time--DT: The average time of transaction at the drive- through
window as measured by the POS system (not drive- through timer) for
the day shown in H3. BB9 Service Time--WTD/PTD: The average time of
transaction at the drive-through window for the WTD/PTD as measured
by the POS system (not drive-through timer). BB10 Service
Time--CNT: The average time of transaction at the counter as
measured by the POS system for the day shown in H3. BB11 Service
Time--WTD/PTD: The average time of transaction at the counter for
the WTD/PTD. BB12 Daily Labor--Actual: The actual number of labors
hours for the day of the report shown in H3. BB13 Daily
Labor--Allowed: Allowed number of labor hours for the day of the
report shown in H3. BB14 Daily Labor--Actual Productivity: The
sales per actual labor hour (BB12) for the day shown in H3. RB15
Daily Labor--Allowed Productivity: The sales per allowed labor hour
(BB13) for the day shown in H3. BB16 WTD/PTD Labor--Actual: The
actual number of labors hours for the WTD/PTD. BB17 WTD/PTD
Labor--Allowed: The allowed number of labor hours for the WTD/PTD.
BB18 WTD/PTD Labor--+/-: The difference between the WTD/PTD Actual
Labor (BB16) and Allowed Labor (BB17). BB19 Average Wage: The
average wage paid to employees of the store shown in BB1. BB20 % DL
$: The percentage of actual sales (TB2) represented by daily labor
costs for the day shown in H3. BB21 WTD/PTD Labor 5: The dollar
value of labor for the WTD/PTD. BB22 WTD Labor %: The percentage of
WTD/PTD Actual sales (TB7) represented by WTD/PTD Labor (BB22).
BB23 Number of Cars: The number of cars through the drive-through
window for the day of the report shown in H3 measured by the POS
system. BB24 Drive-Through $: The number of drive-through
transactions for the day shown in H3. BB25 Drive-Through %: The
percentage of Actual sales (TB2) represented by the dollar value of
drive through transactions (BB25). BB26 Average Per Car: The
average ticket per car for the day shown in H3. BB27 ICOS
Variance--Daily: BB28 ICOS Variance--PTD/PrWk: BB29 Daily Meal %:
The percentage of Actual sales (TB2) that represented
employee/promo meals for the day shown in H3. BB30 PTD/WTD Meal %:
The percentage of WTD/PTD sales (TB7) that represented
employee/promo meals for the WTD/PTD. Bottom Body Total Information
BBT1 Totals: The totals or weighted averages for all columns shown
in the Bottom Body.
[0156] Sales Mix Data Definition
[0157] This report includes seven sections-header, module recap,
sales mix recap, summary, summary total, detail, and detail total.
The Detail and Detail Total sections of this report are not shown
in this data definition. The data definitions are identical in
content to the Summary and Summary Total sections, except that a
detail and detail total is displayed for each category, showing
information in subsequent columns for each item in the
category.
3 Header Information H1 Stores: The stores included in the report,
shown by group name and/or store number. H2 Current Period: The
beginning and end dates of the current period analyzed, including
the number of days in the period. H3 Prior Period: The beginning
and end dates of the prior period analyzed, including the number of
days in the period. Module Recap Information MR1 Date: The active
date range for the module described in MR2. MR2 Description: The
description of the module. MR3 Origin: The origin of the
module--either national or local. Sales Mix Recap Information SMR1
Sales: Total dollar value of sales for the current and prior
periods and the percentage of change between the two periods. SMR2
Transactions: Total number of transactions for the current and
prior periods and the percentage of change between the two periods.
SMR3 Avg Price/Item: The average price per item for the current and
prior periods and the percentage of change between the two periods.
SMR4 Avg Ticket: The average ticket for the current and prior
periods and the percentage of change between the two periods. SMR5
Beverage Percent: The percent of sales that represent beverages in
the current and prior periods and the percentage of change between
the two periods. SMR6 Item/Transactions: The average number of
items per transaction for the current and prior periods and the
percentage of change between the two periods. SMR7 Incidences: For
selected menu items, the number of transactions per 100
transactions for the current and prior periods and the percentage
of change between the two periods. Summary Information S1 Category:
The menu item category for which summary information appears in
subsequent columns. S2 # items Current: The number of items in the
category shown in S1 that were sold in the current period. S3 #
items Prior: The number of items in the category shown in S1 that
were sold in the prior period. S4 Change: The percentage of
difference between the number of items sold in the current (S2) and
prior (S3) periods. S5 Item Mix Current: The percentage of total
number of items sold in the category shown in S1 that were sold in
the current period. S6 Item Mix Prior: The percentage of total
number of items sold in the category shown in S1 that were sold in
the prior period. S7 Change: The percentage of difference between
the item mix in the current (S5) and prior (S6) periods. S8 $ Mix
Current: The percentage of total sales represented by the category
shown in S1 that were sold in the current period. S9 $ Mix Prior:
The percentage of total sales represented by the category shown in
S1 that were sold in the prior period. S10 Change: The percentage
of difference between the dollar value of the category in the
current (S5) and prior (S6) periods. S11 Food: The weighted food
cost percentage for the category shown in S1. (To ensure an
accurate percentage, the cost of all items in the category were
summed and then divided by the total sales for the category.) S12
Paper: The weighted paper cost percentage for the category shown in
S1. (To ensure an accurate percentage, the cost of all items in the
category were summed and then divided by the total sales for the
category.) S13 F/P: The weighted total food and paper cost
percentage for the category shown in S1. (To ensure an accurate
percentage, the cost of all items in the category were summed and
then divided by the total sales for the category.) Summary Total
Information ST1 # Items Current: The total of all categories for
S2. ST2 # Items Prior: The total of all categories for S3. ST3
Change: The percentage of difference between the total number of
items sold in all categories in the current (ST1) and prior (ST2)
periods. ST4 Food: The weighted food cost percentage for all
categories. ST5 Paper: The weighted paper cost percentage for all
categories. ST6 F/P: The weighted total food and paper cost
percentage for all categories.
[0158] Periodic Sales Data Definition
[0159] This report includes three sections--the header, detail, and
module recap.
4 Header Information H1 Stores: The stores included in the report,
shown by group name and/or store number. H2 Current Period: The
beginning and ending dates of the current period analyzed. H3 Prior
Period: The beginning and ending dates of the prior period
analyzed. H4 Date Grouping: The time period by which comparisons of
the current and prior periods will be grouped in the Date column
(D1). The user may choose any of the days of the week, week or
period. H5 Data: The business metric for which data is shown. It
could be one of several metrics, including sales, deposit, cash
+/-, items per transaction, average ticket, counter ticket, percent
beverage, transactions, overring dollars, overring percent, number
of overrings, delete dollars, delete percent, number of deletes,
drive through time, counter time, number of cars, drive through
dollars, drive through dollars percent, average per car, or ICOS
variance. Detail Information D1 Date: The time period by which the
comparisons in subsequent columns of the current and prior periods
are broken down. The selected time period variable, set at the time
the report is requested, is shown in H4. D2 Current: The total for
the current period shown in H2 for the metric shown in H5. D3
Prior: The total for the prior period shown in H3 for the metric
shown in H5. D4 Change: The difference between the current and
prior period. D5 Increase/(Decrease) %: The percentage of increase
or decrease of the current period over the prior period. Module
Recap Information MR1 Date: The active date range for the module
described in MR2. MR2 Description: The description of the module.
MR3 Origin: The origin of the module either national or local.
[0160] Price Variation Report Data Definition
[0161] This report includes two sections--the heading and the
detail. The heading information appears only on the first page of
the document. The detail is divided by menu item.
5 Header Information H1 Stores: The stores included in the report,
shown by group name and/or store number. H2 Date Range: The
beginning and ending dates of the period analyzed, as well as the
type of dates shown (calendar or accounting). H3 Overcharge: The
total amount overcharged to customers. H4 Undercharge: The total
amount undercharged to customers. H5 Net: The result of H3 minus
H4. Detail Information D1 Menu Item: The six-character code of the
menu item. D2 Menu Item Name: The descriptive name of the menu
item. D3 Price: The price shown in the system for the menu item;
the price against which the actual price paid by the customer
(taken from the daily extract file) is compared. D4 Over/(Under):
The total dollar value of the transactions for this menu item that
reported a variance. D5 Business Date: The date which one or more
transactions for this menu item reported a variance. D6 Store: The
store number and name reporting the variance. D7 Quantity Sold:
Number of menu items sold at a variance for the business date given
in D5. D8 Price: The price charged for the menu item. D9
Over/(Under): The total variance for the number of items shown in
D7.
[0162] Planned Sales Data Definition
[0163] This report includes three sections--the heading, the
detail, and the totals. The heading information appears only on the
first page of the document. The totals are only shown at the end of
the detail, which may print on more than one page.
6 Header Information H1 Year: The business year for which the
planned sales numbers are shown. H2 Stores: The stores included in
the report, shown by group name and/or store number. Detail
Information D1 Store Number: The store number for which plan
numbers are given in subsequent columns. D2 Menu Item Name: The
planned sales number for the period shown in the column heading. D3
Price: The total planned sales for the store shown in D1 for all 13
periods of the year shown in H1. Total Information D4 Period Total:
The total planned sales for the period shown in the column heading.
D5 Year Total: The total of planned sales for all 13 periods of the
year shown in H1.
[0164] Day Part Mix Report Data Definition
[0165] This report includes six sections--header criteria, header
performance, summary, summary total, detail, and detail total. The
Detail and Detail Total sections of this report are not shown in
this data definition; the data definitions are identical in content
to the Summary and Summary Total sections, except that they give
data for one store.
7 Header Criteria HC1 Stores: The stores included in the report,
shown by group name and/or store number. HC2 Current Period: The
period for which the report is made, including the number of days
in the period and the number of stores reported. HC3 Prior Period:
The period to which the current period is compared, including the
number of days in the period and the number of stores reported.
Header Performance (NOTE: Performance data is only shown for the
current period.) HP1 Day Part: The day part defined by the user
requesting the report, including the name and the time period. HP2
Average Ticket: The average ticket price for the day part shown in
HP1. (Also shown in S12.) HP3 Transactions per 15 Minutes: The
average transactions in the day part shown in HP1 divided by the
number of 15-minute periods in the day part shown in HP1. Summary
S1 Day Part: The day part for which data is reported in subsequent
columns. S2 # Trans Current: The number of transactions in the
current period for the day part shown in S1. S3 % Trans Current:
The percentage of the total transactions for the current period
that occurred in the day part shown in S1. S4 # Trans Prior: The
number of transactions in the prior period for the day part shown
in S1. S5 % Trans Prior: The percentage of the total transactions
for the prior period that occurred in the day part shown in S1. S6
% Change: The percentage of difference between the current period
(S2) and prior period (S4) for the day part shown in S1. S7 Sales
Current: The dollar value of the transactions in the current period
for the day part shown in S1. S8 % Sales Current: The percentage of
the total dollar value for the current period that occurred in the
day part shown in S1. S9 Sale Prior: The dollar value of the
transactions in the prior period for the day part shown in S1. S10
% Sales Prior: The percentage of the total dollar value for the
prior period that occurred in the day part shown in S1. S11 %
Change: The percentage of difference between the current period
(S7) and prior period (S9) for the day part shown in S1. S12 Avg.
Tic Current: The average ticket of all transactions in the current
period for the day part shown in S1. (Also shown in HP2.) S13 % Var
Day: The percentage of difference between the average ticket in the
current period (S12) for the day part shown in S1 and the average
ticket for the average entire business day of the current period
(not shown on this report).* S14 Avg. Tic Prior: The average ticket
of all transactions in the prior period for the day part shown in
S1. S15 % Var Day: The percentage of difference between the average
ticket in the prior period (S14) for the day part shown in S1 and
the average ticket for the average entire business day of the prior
period (not shown on this report).* S16 % Change: The percentage of
difference between the current period (S12) and prior period (S14)
for the day part shown in S1. Summary Total ST1 # Trans Current:
The total of all S2 for all day parts on the report. ST2 # Trans
Prior: The total of all S4 for all day parts on the report. ST3 %
Change: The average for all S6 for all day parts on the report. ST4
Sales Current: The total of all S7 for all day parts on the report.
ST5 Sale Prior: The total of all S9 for all day parts on the
report. ST6 % Change: The average for all S11 for all day parts on
the report. ST7 Avg. Tic Current: The average of all S12 for all
day parts on the report. ST8 Avg. Tic Prior: The average of all
S114 for all day parts on the report. *Numbers less than 100 denote
that the average ticket for the day part was less than the average
ticket for the entire day (i.e., 99.4% would mean that the day part
average ticket is .6% less than the average ticket for that
period). Numbers over 100 denote that the average ticket for the
day part exceeded the average ticket for the entire period by the
amount over 100 (i.e., 110.4% would mean that the day part average
ticket is 10.4% higher than the average ticket for the period).
[0166] Menu Item Data Definition
[0167] The Menu Item report includes two sections-the header and
the detail.
8 Header Information H1 Report Title: The type of report. H2 Report
Date: The date for which the menu item information is shown. Detail
Information D1 Code: The six-digit code of the menu item taken from
the POS system. D2 Description: The longer description of the item
represented by the code in D1. D3 Food Cost: The total cost for all
food used in preparing the item. D4 Paper Cost: The total cost for
all paper items (cups, straws, lids, wrappers, etc.) that are used
in the sale of the item. D5 Total Cost: The combined food and paper
cost of an item. D6 Price: The price charged for the item by the
POS system. D7 Cost %: The percentage of the price of the item (D6)
which goes toward food and paper expenses (D5). D8 Margin %: The
percentage of the price of the item (D6) which remains after
subtracting food and paper costs (D5).
[0168] Although the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments, the description herein is intended to be
illustrative of the many variations and alternatives contemplated
by the invention. The invention contemplates reporting variables
and functions other than the specific ones described herein, for
example drive-through timer connectivity allowing acquisition of
data from a restaurant's drive-through timer, for reporting and
analysis purposes. Audio and video broadcasting and e-mail, and
chat communication capabilities, are contemplated as well. Smart
card integration enables customer recognition and personalizes a
customer's experience. A guest can swipe his or her smart card and
can be greeted by name, asked if he or she will have "the usual,"
told how much time has elapsed since the previous visit, etc.
Integration with other databases is contemplated, for example those
tracking customer complaints, mystery shopping reports, etc. Other
contemplated reports include sales tax reports and per-store
average sales reports. Transaction level detail analysis is also
contemplated, to determine which items were bought within a
specific transaction and to generate reports accordingly. A variety
of programming languages can be used to effect the various
described and contemplated embodiments, for example SQL Visual
Basic or other languages. As point-of-sale systems change and as
data becomes available from additional sources in computer form,
embodiments of the invention will accept that data and include that
information in its reports. Any one of these or previously
described functionalities, of course, can be considered optional to
the overall system.
[0169] In summary, embodiments of the invention allow management
information from a variety of sources to be moved quickly from the
collection point in the store to the corporate office, combined in
a variety of formats that take advantage of the data's
interconnectedness, and pushed quickly back out to managers and
store personnel, for example, so that operations can be refined and
improved at all levels. As a result, users at all levels of a
variety of business organizations can make business decisions that
are based on current information describing all parts of the
operation, in a manner heretofore believed unknown in the prior
art.
* * * * *