IT202000029240A1 - DISTRIBUTED CALCULATION ENVIRONMENT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCTS FOR SALE IN COMMERCIAL RETAILERS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

annexed to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION PATENT entitled:

?Distributed computing environment for the management of products for sale in commercial establishments and associated method?

field of technique

Does this disclosure pertain to the field of accounting computer programs? and management, and in detail it concerns a distributed computing environment for the management of products for sale in shops.

This disclosure in detail also? concerns a method of managing an inventory of items for sale in commercial establishments.

Known art

The sale of items by commercial establishments is typically based on a distribution chain in which a commercial establishment sells a specific article to a customer who in turn ? been purchased, or in any case supplied to the commercial operation by a supplier. The customer can be a private individual or a legal person. The supplier ? typically equipped with its own warehouse to meet the demands of commercial establishments.

In some cases, the shops may be single-brand shops, i.e. shops that sell products from a specific manufacturer, and which can therefore be supplied by a single supplier.

The current structure of the sales networks consists of shops which in some cases are large. These businesses can count on their own warehouse of items, which are only partially exposed to customers for sale. Following the realization of a certain number of sales, the personnel in charge of the commercial operation transport certain products from the internal warehouse to the exhibitors, so that the clientele? seeing the products ? be tempted to buy them again.

The current structure of the sales networks also consists of small businesses. These businesses can count on a limited warehouse of items; such warehouse of articles ? sometimes absent.

As a result, most of the business's products are on display, and in some cases all of the business's products are on display. Although small commercial establishments have a lean structure, precisely because of their limited or even absent stock, these commercial establishments often suffer from peak purchases by the most demanding customers. of large commercial establishments. In particular, these businesses risk being left with at least partially empty displays. This can lead to dissatisfaction with the final customer, who could find himself in the position of having to give up a purchase that he would otherwise have wanted to make; this end customer could search for the product absent in the specific commercial establishment in other commercial establishments, or could search for products similar to the desired one, but made by a different manufacturer.

Conversely, large businesses may encounter inventory problems for items that have been purchased in large quantities. excessive and/or which are not particularly appreciated by customers.

In particular where there is a close collaboration relationship between the business and the supplier in terms of the production chain, such as for example in the case of shops with single-brand sales, the problem of a lack of items for sale or a lack of interest towards certain articles it also flows very directly to the supplier.

For example, in the case of telephony, there may be periods of a surge in purchases of certain accessories for a particular mobile phone model, which may be associated with a consequent decline in the sale of accessories intended for more popular mobile phone models. obsolete.

Moreover, suppliers often become aware of sales trends, both positive and negative, too late to be able to quickly supply small businesses or to optimize future production planning based on unsold stock from large businesses. Can all this be done? translate into a loss of a portion of customers who could instead buy certain items.

The Applicant has found that certain items for sale in commercial establishments often lead to a sale of further items which are logically associated with the former; this logical association can? be due to the fact that the items may be used together or may be intended to be used with a certain end device. For example, a cover and a protective plate for mobile phone screens may be designed to be used on a specific model of mobile phone. Therefore, the absence of an article in a business can cause a collateral economic shortfall, greater than the direct shortfall due to the non-sale of the item in question.

Summary

The purpose of this disclosure? that of providing a distributed computing environment and a corresponding method of managing an inventory which allow to solve the drawbacks described above.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a distributed computing environment (1) is described for the management of items (211) for sale in commercial establishments (102), comprising:

- at least one server system (200), comprising at least a first database (201) for the centralized inventory of items distributed and/or sold in commercial establishments (102), configured to memorize a plurality? of files (210) associated with at least one specific article (211) to be sold and/or distributed in said commercial establishments (102), and

- at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), which can be positioned remotely with respect to the server system (200) and operatively associated (103) with a specific commercial establishment (102), in which the electronic device for managing stocks of stock (101) ? configured to establish a remote connection with the at least one server system (200) in order to at least receive and/or transmit electronic data relating at least to said specific article (211);

the distributed computing environment (1) being configured at least to receive and/or transmit electronic sales and/or return data of at least one specific item (211) from the electronic device for managing inventories (101) and to update at least one file (210) of the first database (201) according to the electronic data received, and/or transmitted, respectively from, and/or to, the electronic device for managing inventories (101), associating said electronic data received and/or transmitted to an identifier (214) of a specific business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally associated.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? unambiguously associated, optionally in an at least temporarily unambiguous manner, to said specific commercial establishment (102) and/or the distributed computing environment (1) ? configured at least to receive and/or transmit electronic sales and/or return data of at least one specific item (211) from the electronic device for managing inventories (101) and to update at least one file (210) of the first database ( 201) according to the electronic data received, and/or transmitted, respectively from, and/or towards, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), associating said electronic data received and/or transmitted to an identifier (214 ) of a specific business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally uniquely, optionally at least temporarily, associated.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment? configured to operatively associate an electronic inventory management device (101) with a specific commercial establishment (102) by means of a verification of the access credentials entered by a user on said electronic inventory management device (101) and/or in a dissociable way. According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? configured to select a specific file of the first database (201) on the basis of an identification code (212) of a specific item (211), optionally said identification code (212) being received by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101 ), and/or ? configured to extract an identification code (212) of a specific article (211) from the electronic data received by the electronic device for managing inventories (101), and ? configured to select a specific file of the first database (201) on the basis of said identification code (212) and to update said file (210) according to the electronic data received and/or transmitted respectively from and/or towards the electronic device for the management of inventories (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment? configured to store said identifier (214) in a specific file (210) of the first database (201) so that? it is possible to associate the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214) of a specific business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the association of the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214) of a specific commercial establishment (102) includes the memorization of said identifier (214) in a specific file (210).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) comprises a second database (202) having a plurality of of files within which ? memorized at least a plurality? of business identifiers (102) to which ? previously associated with at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? configured to create a logical link between the specific file (210) of the first database (201) and a specific file of the second database (202) in order to carry out the association of the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214 ) of a specific business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the association of the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214) of a specific commercial exercise (102) includes the creation of a logical link between the specific file (210) of said first database (201) and a specific file of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, each file of the second database (202) includes at least one pair of identification elements comprising the identifier (214) of a specific commercial establishment (102) and an identifier of a specific electronic device for inventory management warehouse (101) operationally associated with the specific business (102) identified by its identifier (214).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) comprises a code reader (104; 104r) configured to acquire optically and/or via radio a code (300), in particular a visual code and/or barcode and/or alphanumeric, identifying a specific item (211).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) comprises a unit? of data processing and the code reader (104; 104r) ? operationally connected to the said unit? of data processing.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, said code reader (104, 104r) comprises a radio frequency reader (104r), optionally a reader operating according to the NFC standard.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the radio frequency reader (104r) ? configured at least to allow the reading of a tag integrated in an article (211), and/or to allow the reading of tags contained in loyalty cards? of end customers or in employee identification badges, and/or to assign sales of an item (211) and/or operations to personnel.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? a portable electronic device.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) integrates user interface devices comprising at least one monitor.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the monitor ? a touch sensitive monitor.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the monitor integrates user interface devices configured to transmit data towards a unit? of data processing.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) integrates a transceiver stage configured to establish at least a temporary communication channel with the server system (200), optionally said communication channel comprising a wireless.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, said code reader (104; 104r) comprises a television camera and/or a laser code reader.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the code reader (104; 104r) ? operationally connected with a? unit? of data processing of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) to electronically extract an optionally unique identification code of a specific article (211), so that? the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) can transmit the unique code as electronic data towards the server system (200).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? configured to transmit at least one image corresponding to the code (300) acquired by the code reader (104; 104r) as electronic data towards the server system (200), so that? the server system (200) can extract an optionally univocal identification code (212) of a specific article (211) from the electronic data.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, does the barcode (300) match and/or ? uniquely associated with the identification code (212) of the specific article (211).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? configured to provide access criteria and/or to provide access to the server system (200), so that? through the server system (200) can provide a software interface, optionally an API, configured and specifically intended to allow third-party systems to access electronic data collected and/or managed through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) , optionally to electronic data collected and/or managed via the electronic inventory management device (101) and of a predetermined commercial establishment (102) to which the electronic inventory management device (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? configured to provide access criteria and/or to provide access to the server system (200), so that? through the server system (200) can provide a software interface, optionally an API, configured and specifically intended to allow third party systems to access sales data and availability? warehouse of a predetermined business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally associated.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) is: - configured to provide a software interface, optionally an API, configured and/or specifically intended to allow third party systems to access electronic data collected and/or managed through the electronic device for inventory management (101), optionally electronic data collected and/or managed via the electronic device for inventory management (101) and a predetermined commercial establishment (102) to which the electronic device for the management of inventories (101), and/or

- ? configured to provide a software interface, optionally an API, configured and specifically intended to allow third-party systems to access sales data and availability? warehouse of a predetermined business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally associated.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? configured to memorize a first residual value of each article (211) present in a specific commercial establishment (102), and in which the server system (200) ? configured to automatically propose a repurchase order to said commercial establishment (102) by means of a selective transmission of a repurchase request data to the electronic device for managing inventories (101) operatively associated with a specific commercial establishment (102) when the first residual value of at least one item (211) present in the specific commercial establishment (102) ? lower than a predetermined first minimum residual value previously stored in the server system (200).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? configured to decrease the first residual value of a specific item (211) present in a specific commercial establishment (102) upon receipt of an electronic sales data (1001?) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks ( 101) associated with the specific business (102) or ? configured to increase the first residual value of a specific item (211) present in a specific commercial establishment (102) upon receipt of an electronic return data (1001??) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) associated with the specific business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? configured to store a second residual value of at least one item (211), preferably of a plurality? of articles (211) present in a warehouse (600) of a l to allow the distribution of articles (211) towards one or more? shops (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? otherwise? configured to decrease said second residual value when the at least one item (211) is sent from said warehouse (600) to a specific commercial establishment (102) following receipt of an electronic order request data and/or supply (1002?) transmitted by an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) operatively associated with the specific commercial establishment (102) and/or ? configured to increase said second residual value when the? At least one article (211) is sent or ? intended to be sent to said warehouse (600) from a specific commercial establishment (102) following receipt of an electronic return request data (1002??) transmitted by an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101 ) operationally associated with the specific commercial exercise (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment, and/or the server system (200), ? configured to electronically identify and/or propose, preferably automatically, on said electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), at least one further article (211) available in the same business (102), said at least one further article (211) being logically associated, optionally intended for the same final product and/or which can be used together with the first article (211), with a first article (211) requested for sale by a user and previously selected via the electronic device for the management of inventories (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the computing environment? configured and specifically intended to carry out, through the electronic inventory management device (101), an electronic cross-selling offer of at least one further item (211), and/or to electronically offer for sale, through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), optionally through an automated electronic procedure, at least one further article (211) in addition to a first article (211) already? purchased by a customer.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the computing environment? configured to electronically calculate, for at least one item (211), optionally for at least said first item (211), a connection rate with further items (211) other than said item (211) or first item (211) and sold as direct or implied consequence of the sale of said item (211) or first item (211).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment? configured to propose an electronic interface, or dashboard, selectively accessible by one or more? users, in particular from one or more? managers of one or more shops (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said electronic interface, or dashboard, ? configured to allow the electronic display and/or download of at least part of the data relating to inventories of items (211) within a specific business (102) and/or in a warehouse (600) of an item supplier, intended to distribute articles (211) to one or more? shops (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said electronic interface or dashboard ? an electronic interface or dashboard of the real-time type, in which said data are data substantially representing a current situation.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said electronic interface or dashboard ? configured and specifically intended to be electronically interfaced with a management software program of a specific commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said electronic interface or dashboard ? configured and specifically intended to be electronically interfaced with a management software program of a specific commercial establishment (102) to allow at least the display and/or downloading of at least part of said data on the management software program.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) comprises an operating configuration for the electronic creation of labels in which, following an optical acquisition of a code (300) identifying a specific article (211 ), the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? configured for:

- send an electronic data request for data associated with the article (211) whose code (300) ? been optically acquired towards the server system (200),

- automatically cause an electronic creation of a label describing a name and/or details (213) of the article (211), containing the name and/or details (213) of the article (211) transmitted by the server system (200) following this request.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) comprises an operational configuration for the electronic generation of a global report of stocks of articles (211) present in a plurality of of commercial establishments (102), optionally in all commercial establishments (102) registered on the server system (200) and/or on files of the second database (202), and/or includes an operational configuration for the electronic generation of a selective report of stocks of items (211) for at least one specific business year (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, in the operational configuration for the electronic generation of said global article inventory report (211), the server system (200) accesses a plurality of of files (210) of the first database (201) relating to articles (211) of a plurality? of commercial establishments (102), in particular to a plurality? of files (210) of the first database (201) relating to articles (211) of all commercial establishments (102) and/or accesses a plurality? of files of the second database (202) and through said logical link retrieves the files (210) of articles (211) associated with said plurality? of files of the second database (202) and automatically generates the global report by accessing data contained in said files (210) of the first database (201) and in the files of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, in the operating configuration for the electronic generation of said selective report, the server system (200) accesses a plurality of of files (210) of the first database (201) relating to articles (211) of a specific commercial establishment (102) previously selected and/or accesses a specific file of the second database (202) relating to the specific commercial establishment (102) previously selected, and on the basis of said logical link accesses the plurality? of files (210) of the first database associated with the specific file of the second database (202) identifying a selection of files (210) of the first database (201), and automatically generates the selective report by accessing data contained in said selection of files (210 ) of the first database (201) and/or by accessing data contained in the specific file of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? configured to generate said global report and/or said selective report at pre-established time intervals, and ? configured to store at least one electronic address of at least one recipient of the global report and/or of the selective report and to automatically send the global report and/or the selective report following generation to said at least one recipient.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) ? a closed and/or selective access system and ? configured to provide electronic data taken from one or more? file (210) of at least the first server (201) in response to an electronic request for transmission of electronic data made by an electronic device for inventory management (101) previously authorized and/or electronically recognized by the server system (200) as an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) operatively associated with the server system (200).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment? configured to perform an optionally centralized predictive electronic calculation of future sales data of one or more? articles (211) towards one pi? shops (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, said predictive electronic calculation ? carried out by receiving in input data of sales of articles (211), optionally towards end users, and/or data of inventories of articles (211) in warehouse in one or more? commercial establishments (102) and/or inventory data of articles (211) present in said warehouse (600).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the sales data of articles (211) and/or the inventory data of articles (211) in the warehouse in one or more? commercial establishments (102) and/or the inventory data of articles (211) in said warehouse (600) are retrieved through the at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and/or through a commercial establishment (102 ).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, predictive electronic calculation ? performed using an artificial intelligence engine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment comprises said artificial intelligence engine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) comprises said artificial intelligence engine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) and/or the distributed computing environment electronically access said artificial intelligence engine via a remote connection.

According to this disclosure is also described a method of managing an inventory of items (211) for sale in commercial establishments (102), comprising:

- a step of storing at least one identification code (212) of a specific article (211) in a file (210) of a first database (201) for the centralized inventory of articles distributed and/or sold in shops, in wherein the first database (201) is part of an item inventory management server system (200),

- an operational association phase between an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), which can be positioned remotely with respect to the server system (200), and a specific commercial establishment (102), through the definition and/or association of a identifier (214) for said specific business (102), such that the server system (200) operatively associates a file (210) with an identifier (214) of a specific business (102),

- a step of establishing at least one temporary remote communication between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and the server system (200), to perform a subsequent reception and/or transmission of electronic data relating to said specific article (211),

- wherein, following the receipt and/or transmission of electronic data relating to said specific article (211), at least one file (210) of the first database (201) is updated according to the electronic data received and/or transmitted, associating said electronic data received and/or transmitted to an identifier (214) of a specific commercial establishment (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally associated.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? operationally uniquely associated with the specific commercial establishment (102), optionally being at least temporarily operationally associated with the specific commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the at least one file (210) ? selectively and specifically selected from a plurality? of files (210) of the first database (201) through the identification code (212) of the specific article (211).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic device for managing inventories (101) ? operatively associated, optionally in a dissociable way, with a predetermined and/or specific commercial establishment (102) following a phase of introduction and verification of access credentials introduced via the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the association of the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214) of a specific commercial establishment (102) includes the memorization of said identifier (214) in a specific file (210) of the first database (201).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the association of electronic data received and/or transmitted with the identifier (214) of a specific commercial exercise (102) includes the creation of a logical link between the specific file (210) and a specific file of a second database (202) within which are memorized a plurality? of business identifiers (102) to which ? previously associated with at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a phase of operative association between at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and a single commercial establishment (102), so that on the server system (200) a logical association is created between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and the single business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the logical association between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and the single business (102) is memorized in a specific file of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the first and second databases (201, 202) are mutually operationally accessible.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the assignment on loan for use of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) to a specific business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, this assignment on loan for use occurs downstream of the creation of said logical association, and optionally includes a physical delivery of an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) to a specific commercial establishment ( 102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the creation of an electronic coupling between a specific commercial establishment (102) and at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), and comprises memorizing on said server system (200 ), optionally in the second electronic coupling database (202); said electronic coupling being stored in a specific file of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of transmitting an electronic sales data (1001?) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) associated with a specific commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of transmitting an electronic return data (1001??) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) associated with a specific commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, following the transmission of the electronic sales data (1001?) and/or the electronic return data (1001??) there is a phase of decrease and/or increase of a first value residual value of a specific item (211) sold by, and/or returned to, the specific commercial establishment (102), said first residual value being related to a warehouse stock of the specific commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, called the decrease and/or increase phase, ? automatically performed by the server system (200) upon receipt of said electronic data, said first residual value being electronically memorized on said server system (200).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the optionally automatic sending of a repurchase order provided by said specific commercial establishment (102) to an article supplier (211), when said first residual value of the specific article ( 211) in the specific commercial establishment (102) ? below a first pre-established minimum residual value.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the logical association between at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and a specific business (102), and in which the identifier (214) of the specific business business (102) includes a characteristic identification code of the business (102) and/or a unique identification code of a specific electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) logically associated with a specific business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, said logical association between the at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and a specific commercial establishment (102) takes place on a file of a second database (202) within the which are stored a plurality? of business identifiers (102) to which ? previously associated with at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the establishment of a logical link between a file (210) stored in the first database (201) and one, and only one, file in the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an electronic generation step of a global inventory report of articles (211) present in a plurality of commercial establishments (102), optionally of all commercial establishments (102) registered on the server system (200) and/or on files of the second database (202), and/or includes an electronic generation phase of a selective inventory report of items (211) for a specific business (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, in the phase of electronic generation of said global article inventory report (211), the server system (200) accesses a plurality of of files (210) of the first database (201) relating to articles (211) of a plurality? of commercial establishments (102), in particular to a plurality? of files (210) of the first database (201) relating to articles (211) of all commercial establishments (102) and/or accesses a plurality? of files of the second database (202) and through said logical link retrieves the files (210) of articles (211) associated with said plurality? of files of the second database (202) and automatically generates the global report by accessing data contained in said files (210) of the first database (201) and in the files of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, in the phase of electronic generation of said selective report, the server system (200) accesses a plurality of of files (210) of the first database (201) relating to articles (211) of a specific commercial establishment (102) previously selected and/or accesses a specific file of the second database (202) relating to the specific commercial establishment (102) previously selected, and on the basis of said logical link accesses the plurality? of files (210) of the first database associated with the specific file of the second database (202) identifying a selection of files (210) of the first database (201), and automatically generates the selective report by accessing data contained in said selection of files (210 ) of the first database (201) and/or by accessing data contained in the specific file of the second database (202).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises generating said global report and/or said selective report at pre-established time intervals, and comprises a step of memorizing at least one electronic address of at least one recipient of the global report and/or of the selective; the method comprising an automatic sending step of the global report and/or of the selective report following its generation towards said at least one addressee.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an execution step of an optionally centralized predictive electronic calculation of future sales data of one or more articles (211) towards one pi? shops (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the step of execution of said predictive electronic calculation comprises the receipt as input of item sales data (211), optionally towards end users, and/or item inventory data (211) in the warehouse one or more business establishments (102) and/or item inventory data (211) held in a warehouse (600) of an item supplier.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an electronic retrieval step of the item sales data (211) and/or of the item inventory data (211) in the warehouse in one or more? commercial establishments (102) and/or the stock data of articles (211) in said warehouse (600).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, said electronic retrieval step takes place through the at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and/or through a commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, predictive electronic calculation ? performed using an artificial intelligence engine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the distributed computing environment comprises said artificial intelligence engine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the server system (200) comprises said artificial intelligence engine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step for establishing a remote connection with said artificial intelligence engine, and further comprises an access step to said artificial intelligence engine, said access being performed by the server system (200) and/or from the distributed computing environment, said access being aimed at carrying out said predictive electronic calculation.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the step of memorizing the at least one electronic address of at least one recipient of the global report and/or of the selective report takes place before the step of automatic sending.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a phase of supplying electronic data taken from one or more file (210) of at least the first server (201) in response to an electronic request for transmission of electronic data made by an electronic device for inventory management (101) previously authorized and/or electronically recognized by the server system (200) as an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) operatively associated with the server system (200).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an electronic access providing step, wherein third party electronic systems can operatively access an electronic inventory management device (101) to electronically access and/or download , electronic data collected and/or managed through the electronic inventory management device (101), said electronic access taking place by means of a software interface, optionally an API, provided by and/or present on the electronic device for the management of inventories (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an electronic access provision step, in which third-party electronic systems can operationally access the server system (200) to electronically access, and/or download, electronic data collected and/or managed via the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), said electronic access taking place by means of a software interface, optionally an API, provided by, and/or present on, the server system (200); said software interface being optionally made accessible through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of providing an electronic access, in which third party systems can operatively access an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) to access sales data and availability? warehouse of a predetermined business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operatively associated, said electronic access taking place by means of a software interface, optionally an API, provided by and/or present on the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an electronic proposition step, optionally in an at least partially automated manner, on said electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), of at least one further article (211) available in the same shop commercial (102), said at least one further article (211) being logically associated, optionally intended for the same final product and/or which can be used together with the first article (211), with a first article (211) requested for sale by a user and previously selected through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the execution, through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), of a procedure, optionally at least partially automated, for the cross-selling of at least one further article (211) , and/or comprises an electronic cross-selling proposition step, optionally taking place in an automated manner, in which an electronic proposition for the sale of articles takes place via the electronic inventory management device (101) ) in addition to a first article (211) already? purchased by a customer.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the cross-selling procedure and/or the electronic cross-selling proposition comprises the transmission of an electronic cross-selling data from said server system (200) towards the electronic device for inventory management warehouse (101) through which ? said first item was sold (211).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of calculating a connection rate of an article (211), optionally for at least said first article (211), with further articles (211) other than said article (211) or first item (211) and sold as a direct or implied consequence of the sale of said item (211) or first item (211).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the proposition of an electronic interface or dashboard, selectively accessible by one or more users. users, in particular from one or more? managers of one or more shops (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the electronic display and/or download of at least part of the data relating to inventories of items (211) within a specific business (102) and/or in a warehouse (600 ) of an article supplier, intended to distribute articles (211) to one or more? shops (102); said electronic viewing and/or downloading via the electronic interface or dashboard.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic display/or download of at least part of said data takes place in substantially real time.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises an interfacing step between the electronic interface or dashboard with a management software program of a specific commercial establishment (102).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, said interfacing step ? aimed at allowing at least the viewing and/or downloading of at least part of the said data on the management software program.

According to a further aspect, a computer program is described, stored on a memory medium suitable for being electronically accessed by at least one unit? processing system of an electronic inventory management device (101), optionally of an electronic inventory management device (101), wherein the computer program comprises software code portions which, when executed, cause the ?execution of:

- an attempt to establish a remote communication with a server system (200) comprising at least a first database (201) for the centralized inventory of items distributed and/or sold in commercial establishments (102), configured to memorize a plurality? of files (210) associated with at least one specific article (211) to be sold and/or distributed in said commercial establishments (102),

- the supply on a monitor of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) of a menu? interface configured to provide a user with a plurality? of management options for items (211) sold and/or returned by a customer and/or purchased or supplied and/or returned to a supplier, and

- subject to the effective establishment of said remote communication with the server system (200), the transmission of electronic sales and/or return data of at least one specific article (211) towards the server system (200), or ? if the effective establishment of said remote communication with the server system (200) has not taken place? an at least temporary memorization of said electronic sales and/or returns data of the specific article (211) on a memory operatively accessible to the unit? of data processing of the electronic device for the management of inventories (101),

wherein said portions of software code cause the introduction into said electronic data of an identifier (214) of the specific business establishment (102) to which the electronic inventory management device (101) and/or the software are operatively associated and/or an identifier of the electronic device for managing inventory (101) configured to allow the server system (200) to operatively associate the received electronic data with a file (210) of the first database and/or to allow to selectively update a part of the files (210) of the first database (201).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the software code portions cause the execution of a software interface with a code reader (104; 104r) of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), for reading a code (300) of an article (211), said reading being optionally an optical reading and/or a reading by means of a radio signal.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the software code portions cause the execution of a decoding of the code (300) of the article (211) for the extraction of an alphanumeric string corresponding to said code (300); the decoding of the code being performed through the? unit? of data processing of the electronic device for the management of inventories (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the software program ? configured to have at least one, preferably a plurality, performed cyclically and/or at predetermined time intervals of, attempts to establish said remote connection with the server system (200), and to transmit said electronic data automatically towards the server system (200) upon establishment of said remote connection.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the software program comprises portions of software code which, when executed, cause a provision of an electronic access, in which third-party systems can operatively access an electronic inventory management device (101) to access electronic data collected and/or managed by the electronic inventory management device (101), said electronic access taking place by means of a software interface, optionally an API, provided by and/or present on the electronic device for inventory management (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the software program comprises portions of software code which, when executed, cause a provision of an electronic access, in which third-party systems can operatively access an electronic inventory management device (101) to access sales data and availability? warehouse of a predetermined business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operatively associated, said electronic access taking place by means of a software interface, optionally an API, provided by and/or present on the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the electronic access described in the above mentioned software program and/or method ? an electronic access of a selective type, able to be made operational only to a predefined selection of one or more? third party systems.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which, when executed, cause the execution of an electronic proposition, optionally in an at least partially automated manner, on said electronic device for managing inventories (101), of at least one further article (211) available in the same commercial establishment (102), said at least one further article (211) being logically associated, optionally intended for the same final product and/or which can be used together with the first article (211 ), with a first article (211) requested for sale by a user and previously selected through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which, when executed, cause the execution, through the electronic device for managing inventories (101), of a procedure, optionally at least partially automated, of cross -selling of at least one further article (211), and/or which, when executed, cause the electronic proposition for the sale, through the electronic device for managing inventories (101), of articles (211) in addition to a first article (211) already? purchased by a customer.

Description of the figures

The object of this disclosure will be described in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, with the aid of the accompanying figures. Particularly:

- figure 1 illustrates a basic diagram of a computing environment object of the present disclosure, in which commercial establishments operatively associated with a respective electronic device for the management of warehouse stocks, and a server system operatively associated with a warehouse of a supplier of commercial establishments;

- figure 2 illustrates an example of creation of logical links between different database files which are part of the server system of figure 1;

- figure 3 illustrates a first screen of an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, in which the first screen illustrates various options that can be selected by a user, including a first option relating to management of sales to customers, a second option relating inventory management, and an optional third option for creating electronic product labels;

- figure 4 illustrates an exemplifying screen of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, when a user has selected a first sub-option for selling an article to a customer;

- figure 5 illustrates an exemplifying screen of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, when a user has selected a second sub-option for returning an item by a customer;

- figure 6 illustrates an example screen of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, when a user has selected a first sub-option of request for sale or arrival of goods supplied by a supplier; - figure 7 shows an example screen of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, when a user has selected a second return request sub-option to a supplier;

- figure 8 shows an example screen of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, when a user has selected an option for the electronic creation of a label for a given article; and - figure 9 illustrates a principle diagram of a menu? which is presented by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks, when the user has selected an information button on the screen of the device itself.

Detailed description of the invention

With the reference number 1 ? indicated as a whole a distributed computing environment for the management of items for sale in commercial establishments. In figure 1 ? in detail represented a first commercial exercise 102, which pu? for example and not limited to being a shop for the sale of mobile phones and/or mobile phone accessories, to which ? operatively associated with an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, which will be? better described later. The operative association between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and the commercial operation 102 ? indicated by the box identified by the reference number 103. In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the operative association between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and the commercial establishment 102 is unambiguous, preferably at least temporarily unambiguous.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the operative association between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and the commercial establishment 102 is removable (that is, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 is dissociable) and ? made operational by verifying the access credentials entered via the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 itself. Thanks to this aspect ? It is possible to supply electronic devices for the management of warehouse stocks 101 of the impersonal type. There? allows considerable flexibility? in the supply of these electronic devices to the various commercial establishments 102.

In figure 1 ? otherwise? represented a second commercial exercise 102, which for example and not limited to can? be of the same type as the first commercial establishment 102; also in the case of the second commercial establishment 102 there is an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 operatively associated with it. In principle, the association between a specific business 102 and the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? unique, i.e. not ? possible to swap? at least without proper reprogramming or reconfiguration ? the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 intended for the first commercial exercise 102 with the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 intended for the second commercial exercise 102 and vice versa.

In figure 1 ? otherwise? represented a server system 200, which ? mainly intended for centrally managing items distributed and/or sold in commercial establishments 102. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the server system 200 comprises at least a first database, identified by the reference number 201, which ? a database for centralized inventory of items distributed and/or sold in shops. The first database 201 ? configured to store at least one file 210, preferably a plurality? of files, each associated with a specific article 211 to be sold and/or distributed in commercial establishments 102.

For the purpose of maintaining proper confidentiality? of the data contained therein, in a specific and non-limiting embodiment, the server system 200 ? a closed and/or selectively accessible system, configured in particular to allow selective access to at least part of the files 210 of the first database 201. In particular, the server system 200 can? be configured to allow incoming requests for transmission of electronic data to one or more? electronic devices for managing inventories 101, and/or ? configured to send ? autonomously? electronic data to one or more? electronic devices for inventory management 101, but pu? be configured to prevent the direct extraction of electronic data, in particular from one or more? file 210, when carried out by one or more? electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101. The server system 200 therefore performs a procedure in which it checks whether the request for electronic data comes from a recognized electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, and if so, provides an electronic response by transmitting electronic data to the latter.

As illustrated in figure 1, each file 210 ? characterized by a plurality of fields or parameters that allow a specific article to be precisely identified. In particular, in a non-limiting embodiment, a file 210 can? include a first field relating to a name (indicated in the tables with the reference number 211?) of the article, for example ?iPhone XS silver?, and/or a second field relating to a 212 code of article 211. This 212 code can? be a unique code, which ? eg ? in the mobile phone industry? the IMEI code of the radiotelephone. The introduction of a univocal code 212 advantageously allows to uniquely identify a single article from another, albeit of the same type. In one embodiment the code 212 can? understand a plurality of alphanumeric coding strings, for example and not limited to a first alphanumeric string relating to an EAN code of the item, and a second alphanumeric string relating to an IMEI code of the item. A third field of file 210 pu? understand further details 213 of article 211. One or more? some fields of file 210 can be made non-modifiable, except by certain users with administrator enabling criteria.

A second database 202 of the server system 200 ? also represented in figure 1. The second database 202 ? a database relating to the commercial establishments 102 and to the corresponding electronic devices for the management of inventories 101 which are part of the distributed computing environment described herein. Is the mutual configuration of the first and second databases 201, 202 within the server system ? such that the second database and the first database, which are mutually independent, are operationally and mutually accessible. Where present, the control logic of the second database 202 ? similar to that of the first database 201, i.e. a closed and/or selectively accessible system logic, in which the data of the files of the second database 202 can be transmitted towards one or more? electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101, but the server system 200 can? be optionally configured to prevent direct extraction of electronic data, especially from one or more? file of the second database 202, when performed by one or more? electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101.

As shown in detail in Figure 2 , the second database 202 comprises a plurality of? of files each associated with a commercial exercise 102; for each file, can be associated more? electronic devices for the management of inventories 101, since? ? Is it possible that commercial establishments 102 of large dimensions may need to have a plurality? of these devices for the management of the items they sell. Does the Applicant observe that this aspect confers particular flexibility? for use with the distributed computing environment described here.

Preferably, but not limited to, each file will contain? particular data of a specific business including, for example and not limited to, the name and/or company name, and/or address, and/or type of business and/or number of employees and/or hours of opening.

Figure 2 illustrates a particular, clearly non-limiting configuration, in which a first and second file 210 of the first database 201 are associated with a single file of the second database 202, while a third file 210 of the first database 201 ? associated with a single file of the second database 202. This means that the first commercial exercise 102 has a first and a second article 211 available, while the second commercial exercise 102 has only a second article 211 available. Does this mean that ? in general ? in the system server 200 that ? described here can? exist a configuration in which pi? files 201 of the first database 201 are operatively associated with a single file of the second database 202, but vice versa is not? possible. Others? can there be associations such that several electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101 can be operatively associated with a single commercial establishment 102, but the vice versa is not? possible.

The Applicant observes that the configuration with two separate databases represented in figure 1 and in figure 2 is not ? to be understood as limiting, since? ? Was an embodiment of the distributed computing environment conceived in which the server system 200 provides for a single database 201 in which each file 210 also bears? a field relating to a name and/or address of a specific business 102 and a second field relating to an association with at least one particular electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101.

Returning again to figure 1, before going into the description of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, the Applicant observes that the server system 200 described here? operationally connected with a warehouse 600 of a supplier through an operational connection indicated by the arrow 500. Bench? in figure 1 a single warehouse 600 of a supplier is represented, the number of warehouses and/or suppliers could also be greater than 1.

From the supplier's warehouse 600, each business 102 can request one or more articles 211; to the supplier's warehouse 600, each business 102 can? make one or more articles 211, unsold or returned by one or more? customers.

In detail, the electronic device for managing inventories 101 ? a portable electronic device, such as the size of a small tablet PC or smartphone phone, and is equipped with its own power supply and with a radio frequency module or equivalent transceiver stage for establishing a connection suitable for transceiver of electronic data with external elements, in particular with the server system 200. The communication channel which is therefore created between the system server 200 and the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? a wireless channel. The computing environment described here? defined ?distributed? because? there is a spatial and/or geographical subdivision of the computing power between devices and/or systems geographically distributed over distinct areas. ? to note that given the definition of ?distributed? attributed to? computing environment described here, the? operational connection that at least temporarily can? be established between the electronic inventory management device 101 and the server system 200 can? foresee the transition from a wireless network to a wired network, at least partially, which one? the Internet network. Is this operational connection? represented, in figure 1, by the dashed arrow ?L? (links).

This electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 also? it comprises a code reader, for example and not limited to an optical reader 104 comprising a small video camera positioned on the back of the device itself. This optical reader 104 can? be a color optical reader, and ? however able to read at least a code 300 relating to an article 211. This code pu? be an alphanumeric writing, or a graphic code such as, for example and not limited to, an EAN code or equivalent barcode (for example, and not limited to, a Farmacode code and/or a UPC or CodaBar code) and/or a QR code and/ or Data Matrix, or BeeTagg.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the code 300 ? a visual, alphanumeric or image code.

The 300 code can? understand or point to the identification code 212 of article 211.

Alternatively, the optical reader 104 can be a laser barcode reader, also? known as laser scanners. This barcode reader, although? integrated in an electronic device for the management of warehouse stocks 101 with the particular characteristics described here, taken by itself, can? be a barcode scanner of a known type.

The code reader can comprise, alternatively or in combination with the optical reader 104, a radio frequency reader 104r, in particular a reader operating according to the NFC standard, and configured at least to allow the reading of a tag integrated in any article 211, and/or to allow the reading tags contained in loyalty cards? of end customers or in employee identification cards, and/or to assign individual sales of an article 211 and/or operations to personnel.

The electronic device for the management of inventories 101 also? includes a user interface device, such as a monitor ? preferably, though? not limited, touch sensitive? and/or buttons, configured to allow interaction with an operator. ? clear that where the monitor is touch sensitive, the monitor itself will be? equipped with user interface devices configured to transmit electronic data entered by the user towards a unit? of data processing.

The electronic inventory management device 101 clearly comprises its own unit. of data processing, for example and not limited to a dedicated processor, or ASIC, and/or a general purpose processor on which software or firmware programs are executed such as to allow a particular functionality? such as the one described below. The Applicant observes that in a particular embodiment the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? a general purpose device; in that case? the software program or firmware installed therein that provides the particular functionality? described here.

The electronic device for managing inventories 101 can? be equipped with sufficient computing power such as to process the image and/or barcode acquired or scanned with the optical reader 104 and/or such as to process the radio signal received via the radiofrequency reader 104r and obtain an alphanumeric string representative of a code of article 211 actually read. This alphanumeric string will be? subsequently sent to the server system 200 for the purposes which will be better described hereinafter. However this is not ? the only possible alternative, since? in a further embodiment, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 can alternatively send the code 300 in the form of an image directly towards the system server 200, and let one or more? unit? of data processing of the server system itself proceed with the processing of the image of the code 300 to extract said alphanumeric string.

The software program or firmware that ? performed on the electronic device for managing inventories 101 ? configured to present at least one screen like the one represented in figure 3, and through which the user? able to manage above all the sales area 1001 towards a customer, and in particular the sale 1001? of a 211 item to a specific customer, and/or the collection of a 1001 return?? from a customer. Through the screen of figure 3, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 is also allows you to manage the warehouse area 1002, and in particular the request for supply or sale 1002? of one or more articles 211 to the warehouse 600, and/or the management of returns 1002??, brought back by the customer or unsold, to the warehouse 600. Optionally, but preferably, the electronic device for managing inventories 101 allows to manage the electronic creation of labels 1003, through which the manager of the commercial exercise can? electronically create labels of one or more? 211 articles according to a predefined format. Thanks to this aspect ? is it possible to standardize the modalities? presentation of the various articles 211 on various commercial establishments 102.

Finally, through the screen represented in figure 3, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 allows the management of an information area in which ? You can view additional information about the management of Articles 211.

In figure 4 ? represented a sales management screen of 211 articles to a customer. The function ? used to record the purchase of articles 211 by consumers. In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, this is the default function of the electronic device for the management of inventories 101, which pu? be activated by selecting a virtual button ?Barcode reading? in a previous screenshot, not illustrated in the attached figures. Preferably, but not limited to, it is advisable to register the sale together with the collection of the payment by the consumer and the issue of the relative fiscal document.

In the screenshot of figure 4, ? Is there an identifying datum of article 211, which in the non-limiting embodiment shown in the figure ? ?iPhone XS Silver?. Just below, the screen in figure 4 presents the 212 code of the product, and in particular it presents its EAN code and its IMEI code. A virtual button, identified with the reference 1001a, allows the operator to select one or more? accessories related to the product displayed for sale to the customer.

In a portion of the screen, preferably in a bottom portion of the screen, two virtual buttons identified with the references 1001p, 1001m allow you to increase or reduce the number of items that you intend to sell to the customer and/or that have been sold to the customer.

A virtual ?send? button, identified in the figure with the reference 1001s, allows the user to confirm the sale of article 211 to the customer.

When the virtual button ?send? 1001s ? been pressed, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 described herein starts a search procedure for a connection with the server system 200, and, when this connection ? available, sends an electronic datum to the server system which causes a decrease of a first residual value of the specific article 211, in the present description ?iPhone XS Silver?, sold to the customer. This first residual value? therefore indicative of the stock in the warehouse for the specific business 102.

This electronic datum therefore determines the updating of at least one file 210 of the first database 201, with a decrease of the first residual value by a number of units? corresponding to the number of 211 items sold. If the connection with the server system 200 is not available, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 will be? advantageously configured to transmit this electronic data to the server system 200 automatically as soon as the connection is established. available again. In other words, the electronic device for managing inventories 101 ? configured to automatically seek, at pre-established time intervals, the establishment of a connection with the server system 200.

Preferably, in a non-limiting embodiment, the server system 200 can store at least a first pre-established minimum residual value Vr,min, which represents a minimum value below which, or upon reaching which, the server system 200 automatically sends a message to an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 , automatically proposing a repurchase to the manager of a commercial establishment 102. In detail, the message is sent to the specific electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and/or to the specific commercial establishment 102 from which ? the electronic data that caused a decrease in the first residual value of the specific article 211 for the specific commercial exercise 102 has been received by the server system 200.

Although this first minimum residual value Vr,min can be a uniquely determined and validly stored value for all the articles 211 in the catalog in the first database 201, in a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, this first minimum residual value Vr,min can ? be individually adapted for each article 211. Thanks to this aspect, ? Is it possible to adapt the sending of the message of the repurchase proposal of articles 211 in a more? flexible: for example, there could be certain articles which, for example, due to their price, are sold in a few units? o are little subject to sales fluctuations; in that case, ? it is sufficient to set a rather low first minimum residual value for these articles; vice versa, there may be cases in which certain items, such as particularly sought-after cell phone covers, are sold in many units? and / or are subject to large sales fluctuations, and in this case pu? be much more convenient to set a first minimum residual value decidedly more? high, in order to avoid or reduce the risk of leaving the business 102 without a certain article 211 for the time that would elapse ? if not ? between a late new order and the actual arrival of the 211 items.

The Applicant points out that the electronic data transmitted to the server system includes an identifier of the specific business 102 to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? operatively associated with and/or includes the unique identifier of the specific electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and also includes at least the name 211? or the code 212 of the item sold.

Figure 5 illustrates a screen where the collection of a 1001?? return is managed? of an article 211 by a customer. Does the detail screen show a 211 name? of the returned article, and a plurality? of virtual buttons of alternative selection 1001k with which? the operator can? select an item automatically proposed by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101. In detail, in the non-limiting embodiment of figure 5, the following options are displayed on the monitor: ?doesn't work?, ?the product doesn't? the desired one? or other?.

In one portion of the screen, preferably in a lower portion of the screen, ? There is a virtual selection button that allows the operator to select whether the product packaging is complete or not. Always preferably in the lower portion of the screen, two virtual buttons identified with the references 1001p, 1001m allow you to increase or reduce the number of items that have been returned by the customer.

A virtual ?send? button, identified in the figure with the reference 1001s, allows the user to confirm the return of the article 211 by the customer.

When the virtual button ?send? 1001s ? been pressed, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 described herein starts a search procedure for a connection with the server system 200, and, when this connection ? available, sends an electronic data to the server system which causes an increase of a first residual value of the specific article 211, in the present description ?iPhone XS Silver?, returned by the customer.

This electronic datum therefore determines the updating of at least one file 210 of the first database 201, with an increase of the first residual value by a number of units? corresponding to the number of 211 items returned by the customer. If the connection with the server system 200 is not available, the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 will be? advantageously configured to transmit this electronic data to the server system 200 automatically as soon as the connection is established. available again. In other words, the electronic device for managing inventories 101 ? configured to automatically seek, at pre-established time intervals, the establishment of a connection with the server system 200.

The Applicant points out that as in the case of sale, also in the case of returns, the electronic data transmitted to the server system includes an identifier of the specific commercial establishment 102 to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? operatively associated with and/or includes the unique identifier of the specific electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and also includes at least the name 211? or the code 212 of the item sold.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary screen of the electronic device for managing inventories 101, which appears when the operator selects a first sub-option of request for sale or arrival of goods supplied by a supplier or, equivalently, a request for supply or sale 1002? of one or more 211 items at warehouse 600. How ? can be seen from the figure itself, does the screen show the name 211? of an article 211, in this case ?iPhone XS?, and a code 212 of the same article. In a portion of the screen, preferably in the lower portion of the screen, two virtual buttons identified with the references 1002p, 1002m make it possible to increase or reduce the number of articles that have been supplied to the commercial establishment 102. A virtual button ?send?, identified in the figure with the reference 1002s, allows the user to confirm receipt of article 211 by the commercial establishment 102.

In a predefined position on the screen, a button identified with the numerical reference 1002k allows the addition of a second code 212 identifying article 211, for example a second IMEI code.

The Applicant observes that the function required for supply or sale 1002? ? used to register all the articles supplied to the commercial establishment 102. Operationally, for each article 211 sold or supplied by the supplier to the commercial establishment 102, an operator must scan or in any case read the code 300 of article 211 using the optical reader 104 and /or via the 104r radio frequency reader. In a non-limiting embodiment, when cellular telephones arrive at the commercial establishment 102, both the EAN code of the product and the IMEI code must be scanned for each cellular telephone. When you press the ?Send? 1002s, the arrivals of articles 211 in the commercial establishment are saved.

In a non-limiting embodiment, upon pressing the ?Send? 1002, an electronic summary data of the items arrived at the commercial establishment 102 is sent to the server system 200. This electronic summary data includes at least an identifier of the specific commercial establishment 102 from which the articles 211 were received and/or an identifier of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, and a list of the articles 211 received. The server system 200, upon receipt of this electronic data, causes an alteration of at least one file 210 of the first database 210 and in particular causes an increase in the first residual value of the articles 211 available for the given commercial establishment 102.

Also in this case, if the connection with the server system 200 is not available, the electronic device for the management of warehouse stocks 101 will be? advantageously configured to transmit this electronic data to the server system 200 automatically as soon as the connection is established. available again.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the distributed computing environment object of the present disclosure is? configured to automatically process a report, and in particular a summary spreadsheet, schematically represented in figure 1 with the reference number 700, with the indication of the number and detail of articles 211 sold to one or more? certain commercial establishments 102. This spreadsheet is processed by accessing certain files 210 of the first database 201. Thanks to this aspect, the supplier has an immediate perception of the sales status of his items in the commercial establishments 102.

This report can be a global report or alternatively a report relating only to part of the commercial establishments, in particular to a specific commercial establishment. In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, users with access credentials of an administrative type can access the distributed computing environment described here to generate and/or download said report, preferably via a dashboard specifically intended for this purpose .

Pi? in particular, therefore, the server system 200 comprises an operational configuration for the electronic generation of a global report of stocks of articles 211 present in a plurality of of commercial establishments 102, in particular of all the commercial establishments 102 registered on the server system 200 and/or on files of the second database 202, and/or comprises an operational configuration for the electronic generation of a selective report of stocks of articles 211 for a specific business 102.

In the operational configuration for the electronic generation of said global article inventory report 211, the server system 200 accesses a plurality of of files 210 of the first database 201 relating to articles 211 of a plurality? of commercial establishments 102, in particular to a plurality? of files 210 of the first database 201 relating to articles 211 of all commercial establishments 102. Where does the structure of the server system 200 also include? a second database 202 as previously described, in this operating configuration the server system 200 accesses a plurality? of files of the second database 202 and via the logical link created when certain articles are associated with a specific commercial establishment 102, it retrieves the files 210 of articles 211 associated with the plurality? of files of the second database 202. Then, the server system 200 automatically generates the global report by accessing data contained in said files 210 of the first database 201 and in the files of the second database 202.

Alternatively, in the operating configuration for the electronic generation of the selective report, the server system 200 accesses a plurality of of files 210 of the first database 201 relating to articles 211 of a specific commercial exercise 102 previously selected. Where the structure of the server system 201 also includes? a second database 202 as previously described, in this operating configuration the server system 200 accesses a specific file of the second database 202 relating to the specific commercial establishment 102 previously selected, and on the basis of the logical link accesses the plurality? of files 210 of the first database associated with the specific file of the second database 202 identifying a selection of files 210 of the first database 201 (for example a selection of 170 items in stock in the specific commercial establishment 102), and automatically generates the selective report by accessing data contained in said file selection 210 of the first database 210 and/or by accessing data contained in the specific file of the second database 202.

In order to provide systematic reporting, the server system 200 ? configured to generate the global report and/or the said selective report at pre-established time intervals (preferably, but not limited to, weekly), and ? configured to store at least one electronic address (for example, and not limited to, an email address) of at least one global report and/or selective report recipient. The sending of the global report and/or of the selective report takes place automatically following the generation towards said at least one recipient.

The distributed computing environment that is the subject of this disclosure can? therefore be configured and specifically intended to carry out the electronic monitoring of the sales of articles 211 towards one or more? predetermined affiliated commercial establishments 102 (operation defined as ?sell-in?) and the electronic monitoring of sales of articles 211 to end users (operation defined as ?sell-out?).

In particular, the distributed computing environment can? be configured to perform a centralized electronic forecast (electronic predictive calculation) of future sales data of one or more? articles 211 towards one more? commercial establishments 102 and such electronic prediction? based on the sales data of articles 211 towards end users, and also on the warehouse data of one or more? commercial establishments 102, found through the at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and/or through a commercial establishment 102. be based on inventory data for items in warehouse 600.

The distributed computing environment described here carries out this electronic forecast at a centralized level (therefore for part or all of the plurality of affiliated commercial establishments 102), and/or at the level of a single commercial establishment 102, and allows to create, optionally automatically , of the specific order proposals for one or more? commercial establishments 102 on the basis of the data cited above, to then transmit these order proposals to one or more electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101 operatively associated with the specific commercial establishment 102 to which the proposal? destined.

Therefore, the reorder forecasts can be provided both at the warehouse level 600 and at the business level 102.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the aforementioned electronic prediction is performed centrally through a specific API. Through the aforementioned API ? what? It is possible to create specific order proposals, based on the previously mentioned data.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the aforementioned electronic prediction comprises predictive computation performed by an artificial intelligence engine that can be integrated into the distributed computing environment or external to it; in particular, the artificial intelligence engine can be located within the server system 200 or be electronically accessed with a remote connection from the server system 200.

Figure 7 illustrates an example screen of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, when a user has selected a second sub-option for requesting returns to a supplier, which corresponds to a management of returns 1002??, reported by customer or unsold, towards warehouse 600.

How ? can be observed from the figure itself, the screen shows a first and a second item, in this case ?LCD display mod xy347? and ?iPhone cover mod. kw345?, and a code 212 of the same article. In a portion of the screen, preferably in the lower portion of the screen, two virtual buttons identified with the references 1001s, 1001m allow you to increase or reduce the number of items that have been returned by the customer. A virtual ?send? button, identified in the figure with the reference 1002s, allows the user to confirm receipt of article 211 by the commercial establishment 102.

In a portion of the screen, preferably in the lower portion of the screen, two virtual buttons identified with the references 1002p, 1002m make it possible to increase or reduce the number of items that will be returned by the business 102. A virtual button ?send?, identified in appearing with the reference 1002s, allows the user to confirm that the return of article 211 (or of the plurality of articles) has been sent by the commercial establishment 102.

The function ? used to prepare products whose return ? been pre-authorized by the supplier, for example for a change in the displays of the articles of the business 102 and/or for a change of the range of articles 211.

Also in the case of returns management, the user must proceed, by means of the optical reader 104 and/or by means of the radiofrequency reader 104r, to scan the articles 211 to be returned to the warehouse 600.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the software program installed on board each electronic device for managing inventories 101 can be configured to emit an alarm signal, for example and not limited to a sound and/or a vibration, when the article whose code 300 ? been scanned corresponds to an article whose return? previously authorized by the supplier.

If a scanned article ? present among those authorized, the electronic device for the management of inventories 101 will emit? the said alarm signal. In this case the server system 200 will provide? to increase a second residual value of the items 211 returned to the warehouse and, likewise, will provide? to decrease the first residual value of the articles 211 available for the commercial exercise 102.

In particular, the second residual value ? indicative of the number of specific articles present in the warehouse 600. In a non-limiting embodiment, therefore, the server system 200 ? configured to memorize a second residual value of at least one item 211, preferably of a plurality? of articles 211 present in the warehouse 600 of the supplier of articles, where this warehouse 600 ? configured to allow the distribution of articles 211 towards one or more? shops 102.

In the calculation environment described here there is therefore a decrease in the second residual value when the at least one article 211 is sent from said warehouse 600 to a specific commercial establishment 102 following receipt of an electronic order request data 1002 ? transmitted by an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 operatively associated with the specific commercial establishment 102 and/or there is an increase in the second residual value when the at least one article 211 is sent or ? intended to be sent to the warehouse 600 from a specific commercial establishment 102 following receipt of an electronic return request data 1002?? transmitted by an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 operatively associated with the specific commercial establishment 102.

If through the optical reader 104 and/or through the radiofrequency reader 104r a code of an item not present among those authorized for return is scanned or in any case read, the monitor of the electronic device for the management of warehouse stocks 101 would a denial sign is displayed, for example, but not limited to, a red X.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device for managing inventories 101 can be configured to generate, when pressing the virtual button ?Send? 1002s, a summary spreadsheet to the server system 200 and/or to a further predetermined recipient. This spreadsheet can be advantageously used as a delivery note.

In figure 8 ? illustrated a screen to manage the electronic creation of 1003 labels, through which the manager of the business can? print labels of one or more? 211 articles according to a predefined format. As shown for example in figure 8, the screen proposed by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 can for example, display a code 212 of? Article 211 and pu? present a menu to options, identified by the reference 1003u through which ? It is possible to select a label format and/or layout. In the embodiment illustrated in the annexed figures, the menu? includes three layout options: ?consumer?, ?prosumer? and ?business?.

In a predefined portion of the screen, there are two virtual buttons, identified with the numerical references 1003p, 1003m, through which a user can proceed with an association confirmation or an association cancellation of a particular 211 article with a particular label.

In a further predetermined portion of the screen, a button ?Send? 1003s determines the transmission of a certain electronic data to a predefined printer, so that? a label can be printed, or in any case it can be created electronically.

Finally, in figure 9 ? illustrated a principle diagram of a men? which is presented by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, when the user has selected an information button on the screen of the device itself. In detail, the menu proposed by the software of the electronic device for the management of inventories 101 includes the possibility? to select at least one of the following options.

A first option 1004a with which the user selects a status of the shop, and with which the software program shows on the monitor of the electronic device for the management of warehouse stocks a detail of all the articles 211 in stock at the commercial establishment 102 to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? operationally associated. In particular, the detail of all articles 211 ? a detail of the situation in real time. When the user selects this first option 1004a, the electronic device for the management of warehouse stocks 101 sends an electronic status request data towards the server system 200, and this server system 200, automatically, after recognizing the identifier of the specific business 102 from which the request comes, and/or after recognizing the identifier of the specific electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 from which the request comes, queries the first database 201 in order to collect all the files 210 relating to the articles 211 available for the commercial operation 102, and creates a report file which is then automatically transmitted to the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 from which ? received the electronic request, in order to be able to easily provide a complete picture of the stock situation to the manager of the commercial exercise 102.

A second option 1004b concerns a request for assistance, and ? usable by the user if technical problems are encountered with the use of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101.

A third option 1004c concerns the possibility? to make an inventory, in particular an overall inventory, of the business? 102. This option 1004c pu? be activated spontaneously by the manager of the business or, alternatively, can? be requested from warehouse 600 via a particular message.

A fourth option 1004d concerns the possibility? for the user to display on the monitor of the electronic inventory management device 101 a status of pending operations.

Various options have been envisaged for the assignment of the electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101 to the various commercial establishments 102. One of the options envisaged is? that of a transfer of an electronic device for the management of inventories 101 on loan for use, so that? for the manager of the commercial exercise 102 there is not an excessive increase in costs. Preferably, this loan for use can? be free for the manager of the commercial exercise 102. This solution, moreover, allows the warehouse 600, and/or the supplier, to manage in a centralized and therefore extremely efficient way, all the plurality? of electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101 supplied to the various commercial establishments 102, and also it advantageously allows proceeding in a systematic and uniform manner with the personalization of these devices using the software installed therein in a centralized manner by the supplier. The electronic devices for managing warehouse stocks 101 described herein can also be advantageously and easily supplied to commercial establishments 102 whose activity? ? already started long ago.

Upon stipulation of the contract between the manager of the commercial operation 102 and the supplier, the data of the commercial operation are loaded onto the server system 200 so that ? for example in the second database 202 ? an association is created between an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 and one, and only one, commercial establishment 102. This association corresponds to a pair of identification elements (electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? commercial establishment 102) which is electronically stored in a specific file of the second database 202.

The electronic device for managing inventories 101, which as already? previously mentioned can? be a portable electronic device configured to allow the operations performed by the software, sar? therefore advantageously equipped with a software that includes portions of software code such as to cause, when executed, first of all a supply of a menu? interface on a monitor of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101; such less? ? configured to provide a user with a plurality? of management options for items 211 sold and/or returned by a customer and/or purchased or supplied and/or returned to a supplier.

The software program also? ? configured to allow establishing a remote communication with the server system 200, which comprises at least a first database 201 for the centralized inventory of items distributed and/or sold in commercial establishments 102, configured to memorize a plurality? of files 210 associated with a specific article 211 to be sold and/or distributed in said commercial establishments 102. If the remote communication is effectively established, the software program can? performing electronic data exchange operations with the server system 200; otherwise, it ? configured to at least temporarily store electronic data subsequently to be transmitted towards the server system 200, and to retry the establishment of the aforementioned remote connection at predetermined time intervals.

Subject to the effective establishment of the remote communication with the server system 200, the software program causes the transmission of electronic sales and/or returns data of at least one specific article 211 towards the server system 200.

Otherwise, if the effective establishment of said remote communication with the server system 200 has not taken place, the software program causes at least temporary storage of said electronic sales and/or return data of the specific article 211 in a memory that is operationally accessible to the user. unit? of data processing of the electronic device for the management of inventories 101.

In order to make recognizable for the server system 200 what ? the actual commercial establishment 102 from which the electronic data actually come, the portions of software code cause the introduction in said electronic data of an identifier 214 of the specific commercial establishment 102 with which the electronic device 101 and/or the software are operatively associated and/or an identifier of the electronic inventory management device 101. Ci? it therefore allows to selectively update only the interested part of the files 210 of the first database 201.

The software program installed on the electronic device also? ? configured to cause a software interface between the optical reader 104 and/or the radiofrequency reader 104r and the unit? of data processing of the device itself, so that? is it possible to optically acquire the code 300 to perform an elaboration from which to extract the previously mentioned alphanumeric string or, alternatively, so that? it is possible to optically acquire the code 300 and transmit the same towards the server system 200.

The software program installed on board the electronic device for the management of inventories 101 ? otherwise? configured to provide access criteria and/or to provide access to the server system 200, which in turn ? configured to provide a software interface, in particular an API, which ? conceived and specifically intended to allow third party systems to access the data collected through the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, in particular being configured and specifically intended to allow third party systems to access the sales data and availability? warehouse of the specific business 102 to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 ? operationally associated. In other words, the server system 200 acts as a cloud system to provide said API and the electronic device 101 for managing inventories allows access to it. Staff use electronic inventory management device 101 to get access to the API. Thanks to this aspect, ? It is possible to allow third party software programs, for example management software programs, to access the data of the specific commercial establishment 102 in order to import them onto external computer platforms in an at least partially, preferably completely, automated manner. This API, for purposes of this disclosure, can be defined as a user-level API, intended for personnel of the specific commercial establishment 102. In other words, the aforementioned software program allows carrying out a procedure for providing electronic access to an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101 by of third party systems.

In a preferred embodiment even though? non-limiting, the electronic access described above? selective, and ? effectively made operational only to a predefined selection (originally defined and/or through the exchange of access credentials) of third party systems.

Finally, in a non-limiting embodiment, the distributed computing system described here also allows to provide a dashboard that ? used at an administrative level and/or by the managers of the commercial establishments 102 and/or by third parties such as, for example and not limited to, telephone operators.

The dashboard described here ? preferably accessible in a selective way, i.e. only upon verification of the accuracy of the user credentials.

Through this dashboard, the distributed computing environment allows the user, equipped with his own electronic processor, to view all the information on the warehouse 600 and on the sales of the various articles 211, by one or more commercial establishments 102. Through the dashboard mentioned above ? otherwise? Is it possible to generate analytical reports and/or ? It is possible to supply the manager of a specific commercial establishment 102 with e-mail messages containing information relating to articles 211 loaded into the warehouse or new inventories detected during an inventory carried out on the warehouse 600 itself.

Preferably, but not limited to, the data displayed on the dashboard are real-time data, i.e. reflecting the situation almost? current that is found in the distributed computing environment described here.

In other words, the dashboard, or electronic interface, ? configured to allow the electronic display and/or download of at least part of the data relating to inventories of articles 211 within a specific commercial establishment 102 and/or in a warehouse 600 of an article supplier, intended to distribute articles 211 towards one or more shops 102.

Preferably, even though not limited to, the dashboard ? configured and specifically intended to be electronically interfaced with a management software program of a specific commercial establishment 102. The electronic interfacing mentioned here? therefore direct. The presence of a dashboard with the functionality? described here? particularly important, why? more and more the 102 commercial establishments are each equipped with their own management software through which to manage buyback orders, and what? therefore it makes it easier for the manager to manage his own business 102.

Through the distributed computing environment object of the present invention? otherwise? Is it possible to efficiently carry out cross-selling operations of a plurality? of articles 211. In other words, the computing environment object of this disclosure can? be configured and specifically intended to allow, through the electronic device for managing inventories 101, the electronic execution of a cross-selling procedure of further articles 211, i.e. to propose electronically for sale, through the electronic device for the management of inventories 101, further articles 211 in addition to a first article 211 already? purchased by a customer.

In a particular embodiment, upon sale of a first item 211 to a customer, the server system 200 can be configured to electronically identify and/or propose, preferably automatically, on said electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101, further articles 211 available in the same commercial establishment 102, logically associated with the first article 211. This first article 211 ? previously selected for sale to a user through the same electronic device for managing warehouse stocks 101. According to the present invention, by logical level association we mean the proposition of further articles 211 in addition to the first article 211 which are intended for the same final product and/or which can be used together with the first article 211. For example, and not limited to, the first article 211 pu? be a case for an iPhone Xs Silver mobile phone, and the electronic proposition takes place by proposing, on the monitor of the electronic device for managing inventories 101, a screen protector for the same type of mobile phone.

When the virtual button ?send? 1001s ? been pressed, the electronic warehouse stock management device 101 described herein starts a search procedure for a connection with the server system 200, and when this connection ? available, sends an electronic datum to the server system which causes a decrease in the first residual value of the specific article 211, in this description ?iPhone XS Silver?, sold to the customer, and carries out an automatic search procedure (cross-selling procedure) in the database 201 of further articles 211 such that the name 211?, the code 212 or the details of which 213 contain at least part of the name and/or code and/or details of the first article 211. Conveniently, in a non-limiting embodiment, the code 212 can? contain an identification subcode of the final product to which article 211 ? intended.

The cross-selling procedure preferably comprises a transmission of cross-selling electronic data, indicating the type and/or number and/or identifier 212 of the further articles 211, and these electronic data are transmitted by the server system 200 towards the electronic device for the management of inventories 101.

In other words, the distributed computing environment can? be configured to perform an ?attachment rate? calculation operation; it is a step of calculating a connection rate of a 211 article, optionally for at least the first 211 article, with further 211 articles other than the 211 article or first 211 article and sold as a direct or implied consequence of the sale of the said article 211 or first article 211. The calculation of the attachment rate ? important why? allows you to evaluate, for example, and not limited to the marginality? of sales deriving for example from the sale of pi? related accessories and all intended for the same type of mobile phone.

The advantages of the distributed computing environment, of the software, and of the method object of the present disclosure are clear in the light of the preceding description. In particular, they allow extremely easy, rapid and flexible management of inventories both for a supplier and for one or more suppliers. businesses, and allow in particular to analyze more easily? and speed? any sales trends and/or fluctuations of certain items.

The distributed computing environment, method and software described here are flexibly applicable to a large variety of? types of commercial establishments, which can offer customers products of a significantly heterogeneous nature for sale.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings. For this reason, where certain elements or technical characteristics are followed by reference signs in the claims that follow, these signs are to be understood as non-limiting, being provided for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility? of the claims.

? finally, it is clear that additions, modifications or variations, which are obvious to a person skilled in the art, can be made to the object of the present disclosure, without thereby departing from the scope of protection provided by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Distributed computing environment (1) for managing items (211) for sale in commercial establishments (102), comprising: - at least one server system (200), comprising at least a first database (201) for the centralized inventory of items distributed and/or sold in commercial establishments (102), configured to memorize a plurality? of files (210) associated with at least one specific article (211) to be sold and/or distributed in said commercial establishments (102), and - at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), which can be positioned remotely with respect to the server system (200) and operatively associated (103) with a specific commercial establishment (102), in which the electronic device for managing stocks of stock (101) ? configured to establish a remote connection with the at least one server system (200) in order to at least receive and/or transmit electronic data relating at least to said specific article (211); the distributed computing environment (1) being configured at least to receive and/or transmit electronic sales and/or return data of at least one specific item (211) from the electronic device for managing inventories (101) and to update at least one file (210) of the first database (201) according to the electronic data received, and/or transmitted, respectively from, and/or to, the electronic device for managing inventories (101), associating said electronic data received and/or transmitted to an identifier (214) of a specific business (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally associated. 2. Distributed computing environment (1) according to claim 1, configured to memorize said identifier (214) in a specific file (210) of the first database (201) so that? it is possible to carry out the association of the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214) of a specific commercial establishment (102) and/or in which the server system (200) comprises a second database (202) having a plurality ? of files within which ? memorized at least a plurality? of identifiers (214) of commercial establishments (102) to which ? previously associated with at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), and in which the server system (200) is configured to create a logical link between the specific file (210) of the first database (201) and a specific file of the second database (202) in order to carry out the association of the received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214 ) of a specific business (102). The distributed computing environment (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electronic inventory management device (101) comprises a code reader (104; 104r) configured to acquire optically and/or via radio a code (300), in particular a visual and/or bar and/or alphanumeric code, identifying a specific article (211), in which: - the code reader (104; 104r) ? operationally connected with a? unit? of data processing of the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) to electronically extract an optionally unique identification code of a specific article (211), so that? the electronic inventory management device (101) can transmit the unique code as electronic data to the server system (200), and/or - wherein the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? configured to transmit at least one image corresponding to the code (300) acquired by the code reader (104; 104r) as electronic data towards the server system (200), so that? the server system (200) can extract an optionally univocal identification code (212) of a specific article (211) from the electronic data. 4. Distributed computing environment (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein the server system (200) is configured to memorize a first residual value of each item (211) present in a specific commercial establishment (102), and in which the server system (200) ? configured to automatically propose a repurchase order to said commercial establishment (102) by means of a selective transmission of a repurchase request data to the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) operatively associated with the specific commercial establishment (102) when the first residual value of at least one item (211) present in the specific commercial establishment (102) ? lower than a predetermined first minimum residual value previously stored in the server system (200) and/or where the server system (200) ? configured to decrease the first residual value of a specific item (211) present in a specific commercial establishment (102) upon receipt of an electronic sales data (1001?) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks ( 101) associated with a specific business (102) or ? configured to increase the first residual value of a specific item (211) present in a specific commercial establishment (102) upon receipt of an electronic return data (1001??) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) associated with the specific business (102). 5. Distributed computing environment (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein the server system (200) is configured to store a second residual value of at least one item (211), preferably of a plurality? of articles (211) present in a warehouse (600) of an article supplier, configured to allow the distribution of articles (211) towards one or more? shops (102), and ? otherwise? configured to decrease said second residual value when the at least one item (211) is sent from said warehouse (600) to a specific commercial establishment (102) following receipt of an electronic order request data (1002? ) transmitted by an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) operatively associated with the specific commercial establishment (102) and/or ? configured to increase said second residual value when the? At least one article (211) is sent or ? intended to be sent to said warehouse (600) from a specific commercial establishment (102) following receipt of an electronic return request data (1002??) transmitted by an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101 ) operationally associated with the specific commercial exercise (102). 6. Distributed computing environment (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, configured to perform an optionally centralized predictive electronic calculation of future sales data of one or more? articles (211) towards one pi? shops (102), wherein said predictive electronic calculation comprises the receipt of input of article sales data (211), optionally towards end users, and/or article inventory data (211) in warehouse in one or more? business establishments (102) and/or item inventory data (211) held in a warehouse (600) of an item supplier, wherein item sales data (211) and/or item inventory data (211 ) in stock in one or more? commercial establishments (102) and/or the stock data of articles (211) in said warehouse (600) are retrieved through the at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and/or through a commercial establishment (102 ), optionally in which the predictive electronic calculation ? performed using an artificial intelligence engine. 7. Distributed computing environment (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, in which: - the said distributed computing environment ? configured to propose an electronic interface or dashboard, selectively accessible by one or more? users, in particular from one or more? managers of one or more shops (102); - the said electronic interface, or dashboard, ? configured to allow the electronic display and/or download of at least part of the data relating to inventory of items (211) within a specific commercial establishment (102) and/or in a warehouse (600) of an item supplier, intended to distribute articles (211) to one or more? shops (102); - optionally where the said electronic interface or dashboard ? an electronic interface or dashboard of the real-time type, in which said data are data substantially representing a current situation; - and in which the said electronic interface or dashboard ? configured and specifically intended to be electronically interfaced with a management software program of a specific commercial establishment (102) to allow at least the display and/or downloading of at least part of said data on the management software program. 8. Method of managing an inventory of items (211) for sale in commercial outlets (102), including: - a step of storing at least one identification code (212) of a specific article (211) in a file (210) of a first database (201) for the centralized inventory of articles distributed and/or sold in shops, in wherein the first database (201) is part of an item inventory management server system (200), - an operational association phase between an electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), which can be positioned remotely with respect to the server system (200), and a specific commercial establishment (102), through the definition and/or association of a identifier (214) for said specific business (102), such that the server system (200) operatively associates a file (210) with an identifier (214) of a specific business (102), - a step of establishing at least one temporary remote communication between the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and the server system (200), to perform a subsequent reception and/or transmission of electronic data relating to said specific article (211), - wherein, following the receipt and/or transmission of electronic data relating to said specific article (211), at least one file (210) of the first database (201) is updated according to the electronic data received and/or transmitted, associating said electronic data received and/or transmitted to an identifier (214) of a specific commercial establishment (102) to which the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) ? operationally associated. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one file (210) is selectively and specifically selected from a plurality? of files (210) of the first database (201) through the identification code (212) of the specific article (211) and the association of the electronic data received and/or transmitted with the identifier (214) of a specific business (102) comprises storing said identifier (214) in a specific file (210) of the first database (201); and/or where the association of received and/or transmitted electronic data with the identifier (214) of a specific business (102) includes the creation of a logical link between the specific file (210) and a specific file a second database (202) within which are stored a plurality? of business identifiers (102) to which ? previously associated with at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101). 10. Method according to claim 8 or claim 9, comprising a step of transmitting an electronic sales data (1001?) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) associated with a specific business (102) and/or comprising a step of transmission of an electronic return data (1001??) transmitted by the electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) associated with a specific commercial establishment (102), in which, following the transmission of the electronic sales data (1001?) and/or of the electronic return data (1001??) a phase of decrease and/or increase takes place of a first residual value of a specific item (211) sold by, and /or returned to the specific commercial establishment (102), said first residual value being related to a warehouse stock of the specific commercial establishment (102), said decrease and/or increase phase, being automatically performed by to the server system (200) upon receipt of said electronic data, said first residual value being electronically memorized on said server system (200), the method comprising the sending, optionally automatic, of a repurchase order provided by said specific commercial establishment (102) to an article supplier (211), when said first residual value of the specific article (211) in the specific commercial establishment (102) ? below a first pre-established minimum residual value. 11. Method according to one or more? of the previous claims 8-10, comprising the logical association between at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and a specific commercial establishment (102), and in which the identifier (214) of the specific commercial establishment ( 102) includes a characteristic identification code of the business (102) and/or a unique identification code of a specific electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) logically associated with a specific business (102), in which said logical association between the at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101) and a specific commercial establishment (102) takes place on a file of a second database (202) within which a plurality of ? of business identifiers (102) to which ? previously associated with at least one electronic device for managing warehouse stocks (101), the method comprising the establishment of a logical link between a file (210) stored in the first database (201) and one, and only one, file in the second database (202).