System for concurrent optimization of business economics and customer value

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented system is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where m and n are whole numbers and n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can utilize said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented system comprising:
 a. a data processor configured to store in a computer-readable data store data representing, with respect to a product offering by a company, at least one conditional option to at least one customer for said product offering that will provide benefits to the company and to the customer upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined option-related contingent event if said event occurs after the customer purchases the option;   b. an interactive system configured to selectively present to the customer a display offering said conditional option for sale;   c. a data processor configured to receive one or more inputs from the customer via said interactive system regarding acceptance or rejection of said conditional option offered for sale;   d. a data processor configured to record said inputs in a computer-readable data store such that an accepted conditional option is associated with the product offering; and   e. a data processor configured to monitor post-sale occurrence of said at least one option-related event and further configured to automatically fulfill conditions of at least said conditional option upon the occurrence of said at least one option-related event.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         3 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 a. operating a computer-readable data store containing data representing, with respect to a product offering by a company, at least one conditional option to at least one customer for said product offering that provides benefits to the company and to the customer upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined option-related contingent events if said event occurs after the customer purchases the option;   b. selectively presenting, by an interactive system, said conditional option for sale to the customer;   c. receiving one or more inputs from the customer by said interactive system regarding acceptance or rejection of said conditional option offered for sale;   d. recording said input in a computer-readable data store such that an accepted conditional option is associated with the product offering; and   e. monitoring by a data processor, the post-sale occurrence of said at least one option-related event and upon the occurrence of at least one option-related event, automatically fulfilling the conditions of at least said conditional option purchased by the customer.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least two of said data stores are a same store. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least one value option framework is created by collecting data on customer preferences and then assigning prices based on company business factors. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the price of an option is assigned when the option is offered to the customer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein offering the value options includes selectively offering value options after taking into account company business conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said option offers a customer multiple options from which to select in the event of a disruption. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said options includes at least one practically constrained product. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said practically constrained product cannot be utilized fully. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said option includes upgrading from at least one pre-existing product to at least one higher ranked product. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said option includes upgrading the customer from at least one pre-existing product to at least one higher ranked product and said option confers upon the company a right to enforce a payment obligation on the customer if said higher ranked product becomes available for utilization. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the payment obligation is priced dynamically. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the payment obligation is determined by bidding from customers. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further including providing to the customer an opportunity to modify a price associated with the payment obligation before a specified notification date. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein selection by the customer of said higher ranked product requires the customer to indicate a price the customer is willing to pay for the utilization of said higher ranked product. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further including providing to the customer an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said payment includes a payment made to the company at a time the company delivers said option. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said payment obligation is not refundable at least in part even if said higher ranked product is not available for utilization. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the company may not exercise its right of enforcing the payment obligation upon the customer.