Sales route planning using an interactive electronic map displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile software application executing on a wireless mobile computer device

#The present invention relates to navigating a neighborhood using an interactive electronic map displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile software application executing on a wireless mobile computer device.

#Door to door sales responsibilities are generally separated into geographic regions. Once fully subdivided, each geographical area is given to a sales team. The sales team then gives each salesperson a street or set of streets to work until complete. As there are a finite number of doors, it becomes important to contact as many of the people as possible without becoming a nuisance. Therefore it is important for management to know which houses have been contacted and which have not.

#Door to door salespeople, however, have a more immediate motivation to sell. Paperwork is often seen as “in the way” or unimportant compared with moving along to the next door. After all, they will likely receive a new neighborhood to work on after this one has been finished. There is little motivation to provide records that may help the next salesperson through the current neighborhood.

#Various embodiments are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a sales management tool in use;

#FIG. 2 shows a communication diagram of one embodiment of a sales management tool in use;

#It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative arid not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of all possible embodiments in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate various details of individual embodiments of sales management tools and related methods of use in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages or include each detail of the various embodiments contemplated and disclosed herein.

#Sales management tools and related methods of use will now be discussed in reference to the Figures provided. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various embodiments and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. While the application below discusses sales tools in terms of a residential neighborhood, it is understood that sales tools may be equally applicable in other situations, including commercial, non-profit, and emergency response aspects.

#Turning now to FIG. 1, a diagram of the sales management tool 10 in use is shown. Central service 18 provides information (as shown by line 12) about a next sales call to salesperson 20 and surveys salesperson about homes 30 and 32 and the visit(s) (as shown by line 14). The information is routed to the appropriate storage and/or action queue (as shown by lines 16′, 16″ and 16′″). The new data is also marked as field verified, such that the system may track data freshness and accuracy.