DEMAND-DRIVEN SALES MODEL CAPITALIZING ON THE POWER OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

摘要

The business method according to the present invention concerns with spatially distributed configurable vending machines and their network, especially those which produce FMCG products, like beverages, hot drinks, cocktails, soups, soaps, perfumes, etc. The configurable vending machine can produce products in different phase, proportion, appearance, look and feel, etc. regarding its configuration set up. The different configurations are generally called recipe, formula which are stored in files in Internet servers. These files can be accessed by authorized persons, who can modify, delete, create new and share with other authorized users via an Internet based online community portal. The invention describes how the configurable vending machines and its network can be managed and the communication among consumers, resellers and franchise owner. The IT back office system automatically organizes product development, market survey, marketing communication, and logistics processes and serve information about actual trends, consumption, stock status in real-time. Variety of advantages are obtained by using the method invented, like a higher integration among B2C, B2B and C2C domains (processes) yielding shorter product development cycles, lower sales and development costs, and better market knowledge.