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.

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.