Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
  • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
  • G06Q30/0609—Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
  • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
  • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
  • G06Q30/0641—Shopping interfaces
  • G06Q30/0643—Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of telecommunications and more particularly to a method and a platform for assisting the control of shops belonging to one or more merchants, each shop containing stocks of products offered for sale by the merchant. of the shop.
• the merchant who invests in this software is very quickly confronted with the problem of updating this software.
• updates to accounting software, cash register software and stock software are essential to monitor, respectively, changes in the chart of accounts, changes in means of payment combined with the evolution of fiat money and possibly the change of cases, and the evolution of storage space combined with the evolution of packaging.
• the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is to propose a method of assisting in the control of shops belonging to at least one merchant and comprising stocks of products offered for sale, the products making up a catalog, which allows each merchant to have computerized and efficient management of at least his shop without enduring the problems of updating this software and data exchange between these same software.
• a solution to the technical problem posed consists, according to the present invention, in that said method comprises the steps which consist for each merchant: - in reserving a work space which is specific to him on a remote control assistance platform d '' at least his shop, accessible via a network and administered by a independent administrator of the merchant, in return for a contract between the merchant and the administrator,
• the invention relates to a platform for assisting the control of shops.
• the platform includes:
• each shop comprising at least as many workspaces as there are merchants linked by contract with the administrator, a merchant's workspace comprising at least cash register software, accounting software and stock software,
• each workspace being protected by an access lock comprising an authorized list composed of at least one identifier associated with an authentication code and, - at at least one input-output port to the platform connected to a network on which a merchant can connect at least one terminal to access his workspace, the input-output port being in connection with the server.
• the method according to the invention allows a merchant, having one or more shops, to have centralized management software by means of a contract signed with the administrator of a control assistance platform on which these software are installed.
• the merchant connects to the platform via an internet type network, from a terminal, and identifies himself and then authenticates himself to the administrator.
• the administrator establishes with the merchant concerned a list of authorized users identified by an identifier and an authentication code.
• the method and the platform solve the problem posed.
• the administrator installs the software listed in the contract in the merchant's workspace and ensures their compatibility and updating on behalf of the merchant.
• the method and the platform allow the merchant to automatically calculate the turnover for a day with the details of sales and, from this calculation, to automatically determine the amount of taxes. Knowing this amount advantageously facilitates the tax declarations that the merchant must regularly make.
• the method and the platform also make it possible to couple a virtual image of at least the store, accessible on a website.
• the method further comprises the steps which consist in: - establishing a virtual image of at least the merchant's shop, an image accessible on a website and, coupling the virtual image with the catalog and the state of the stock stored in the workspace so that the virtual image is a reflection of the content of at least the store.
• the platform further comprises: at least one input-output manager at the platform, the manager being the entry point for the processing by the platform of orders placed electronically by a customer on a site internet giving a virtual image of at least the store of a merchant.
• a customer can make purchases remotely, by connecting to the website of the store and placing an order from the website.
• This website allows the consultation of the catalog of products of the shop and, possibly, the catalog of the products of other shops belonging to the same merchant or to other merchants belonging for example to a group.
• the coupling advantageously makes it possible, on the one hand to give the customer information on the state of stocks updated by the merchant in his workspace and to provide him with a delivery time as fair as possible, and, on the other hand, to reserve the products ordered for a fixed period and to update the stock status once the delivery has been made.
• the customer can obtain the delivery time for the items ordered, whether they are available in stock or whether they are the subject of a replenishment already scheduled or to come.
• the coupling advantageously eliminates the entry of the order by the merchant, this order being recorded, via the coupling, in his workspace.
• the coupling also makes it possible to inform the merchant that a customer has sent an order from the website.
• the command issued on the website triggers a alarm on a merchant terminal, this terminal being connected to the platform via a network.
• the alarm can be in the form of a window that opens and contains the text of the command or, it can be in the form of an indicator that flashes on the terminal screen.
• the customer can put in direct communication, audio or video, with the merchant to request information; this function is implemented by means of the display of a "contact the merchant" button associated with an audio or video circuit installed in the shop.
• the call alarm triggers an audio or video signal depending on the merchant's equipment.
• a video signal which supposes that the merchant's point of sale is equipped with a video, the merchant appears in a small window on the customer's screen as soon as he acknowledges the alarm.
• the method and the platform provide a link between different workspaces belonging to different merchants associated in a group.
• the method further comprises a step which consists of:
• the method and the platform offer the group of merchants a means of assisting in the control of shops which makes it possible to manage specific operations jointly.
• This common control assistance means makes it possible to implement customer loyalty services, promotional sales services, group purchasing services on behalf of the group, these services corresponding to particular achievements of the process.
• the method further comprises a step which consists of:
• This last step can be followed by a step which consists of:
• the method further comprises a step which consists in: - providing a link between the control assistance platform and banking establishments to allow the interrogation of one of these banking establishments during a cash transaction implementing a banking payment product.
• the method further comprises a step which consists of:
• the method further comprises the steps which consist:
• Figure 1 is a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a diagram of a platform according to the invention and its environment.
• the method according to the invention relates to a method of helping to control shops belonging to at least one merchant.
• Each shop includes stocks of products offered for sale, the products of a shop making up a catalog.
• the process takes place according to several steps described below and illustrated in FIG. 1.
• the method reserves 1 for the merchant his own workspace, on a remote control assistance platform of at least his shop, accessible via a network and administered by an administrator independent of the merchant. .
• the reservation is made at the end of a contract between the merchant and the administrator.
• the method locks 2 access to the merchant's workspace by means of a filter which consists of a list of authorized users comprising at least one authorized user. This list is communicated to the merchant.
• An authorized user is identified by a name, for example that of the merchant or his own.
• an authentication code is associated with the identity.
• the user who tries to access the workspace must firstly identify himself by communicating an identifier and, secondly, authenticate himself by communicating the authentication code associated with his identifier.
• the merchant whose shop includes several boxes can obtain a list comprising as many authorized users as there are boxes. This same merchant can obtain a reduced list from an authorized user.
• each cashier connects with the same identity and the same authentication code. Under these conditions, the merchant cannot distinguish the seizures made by a cashier from those made by other cashiers.
• the process installs 3 management tools in the merchant's workspace.
• the range of tools depends on the contract between the merchant and the administrator, and it includes, at least, software for entering and storing a catalog of products and the inventory status of these products, software for entering cash transactions and accounting software.
• FIG. 2 schematically represents a control aid platform and its environment.
• the control assistance platform 4 comprises at least one server 5, a memory space 6 and at least one input-output port 7.
• the server 5 is remote from each shop and has at least as many workspaces 8 as there are merchants linked by contract with the administrator.
• Each merchant's working space 8 comprises at least accounting software 9 for the merchant's shops, stock software 10 and cash register software 11.
• the memory space 6 stores a list 12 of authorized users per space 8 of work.
• Each workspace 8 is protected by an access lock comprising the authorized list composed of at least one identifier associated with an authentication code.
• the memory space 6 is connected to the server 5.
• the input-output port 7 is connected to a network 13 on which a merchant can connect at least one terminal 14 to access his work space 8.
• the network 13 is preferably an ADSL type network, an abbreviation of the English terms Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line or an equivalent network, provided that its capacity allows a permanent connection of the user.
• the terminal 14 can be a point of sale terminal ( TPN) in a fixed position in the shop, or it can be a portable terminal that the merchant takes with him or has at his home, and which he connects from his home to the platform by means of a wired network , of the ADSL type, of the ISDN type, abbreviation of the terms Digital Network with Integration of Services, of the switched telephone type (PSTN), of the GSM type or of the UMTS type or of equivalent type.
• PSTN switched telephone type
• the merchant can also undertake to connect to platform 4, from any location, using mobile equipment such as a GSM or PDA phone, an abbreviation of the English terms Personal Digital Assistant.
• the input-output port 7 is in house with the server 5. According to a preferred embodiment, the input-output port 7 is part of the server 5.
• the procedure can be as follows.
• the merchant signs a contract with the platform's administrator.
• the parties to the contract, the merchant and the administrator list in the contract the different software made available to the merchant in a workspace located on the platform.
• the parties also determine a list of users authorized to access this workspace.
• the merchant can choose to have an authorized user who corresponds to the cashiers or he can choose, to differentiate them, to have as many authorized users as there are cashiers.
• he can choose to have an authorized user who corresponds to the accountant; this user having access privileges to the accounting functions.
• the list of authorized users depends on the choice of the merchant who takes into account, on the one hand the organization of his shop, or his shops if he has several, and on the other hand the hierarchy of authorized access to functions or software.
• the merchant connects at least one shop to at least one terminal to his workspace via a network.
• the network is preferably a network of the ADSL type. But, when the merchant connects from a site located outside his shop, his place of residence for example, he can use another network which provides a link to the platform, this network being able to be of cable type, of ADSL type , ISDN type, PSTN type, GSM type, UMTS type or equivalent.
• each cashier establishes a connection between his cash register and the workspace.
• the cashier identifies and authenticates himself by entering his identification and authentication code communicated by the merchant.
• the cash transactions entered by the cashier from his terminal are recorded in the merchant's workspace.
• Each sales record triggers an update of the inventory status and the publication of a sales receipt.
• the cashier's entries can be manual or automatic, for example by reading a barcode written on each item.
• the customer can settle the amount of the purchase in fiat money, by check, or by an electronic payment card.
• the processing of a payment by bank card can trigger a query towards a banking establishment.
• the query is handled by the workspace which transmits it to the banking establishment.
• the establishment's response is provided to the workspace, which transmits it to the cashier.
• a similar scenario is implemented for checking a check with the server of the National File of Prohibited Checks, or for processing electronic delivery by constitution and transmission of the check image. associated with the paper check.
• the point of sale can easily accept payment by Wallet
• the workspace records cash transactions, updates the inventory status and provides the accounting software.
• the cashier disconnects and closes his cash register.
• the merchant can interrogate his workspace and immediately know the result of his day. He can know the state of his stock, issue orders to restock it, check the accounting records, prepare his tax declarations, establish statistics, etc.
• an alarm procedure with a triggering threshold corresponding to a minimum stock defined by the merchant, is activated as soon as the threshold is exceeded.
• the triggering of the alarm triggers the emission of a purchase order, pre-formatted by the management software on the platform.
• the transmission of the purchase order to the supplier is immediate and automatic upon validation by the merchant.
• the acknowledgment returned by the supplier specifies the merchant's supply time.

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• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Economics (AREA)
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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Development Economics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Strategic Management (AREA)
• Operations Research (AREA)
• Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
• Quality & Reliability (AREA)
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Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 2000
  • 2000-09-08 FR FR0011832A patent/FR2813967A1/fr active Pending
• 2001
  • 2001-09-06 EP EP01967433A patent/EP1316045A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2001-09-06 WO PCT/FR2001/002764 patent/WO2002021355A2/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-09-06 AU AU2001287815A patent/AU2001287815A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-09-06 JP JP2002525494A patent/JP2004508638A/ja active Pending
  • 2001-09-07 US US09/948,402 patent/US20020032622A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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