Method and apparatus for determining commission

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable medium that includes (A) a model encoded thereon, the model to store data useful for governing aspects of commission processing, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) allocation rules, and (iii) a promotions data module and (B) computer readable code encoded thereon to access the model and receive each transaction, to process each transaction in accordance with the model, and to prepare ledger items, the computer readable code comprising code for:
• executing instructions in the data processing system for:
• obtaining the one or more transactions;
• obtaining from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients;
• determining a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• obtaining from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels;
• calculating performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises:
• obtaining one or more of the allocation rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the allocation rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients;
• and
• applying the allocation rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances;
• determining if the performances qualify for the promotions;
• and
• preparing ledger items, using the processing engine, that specify compensation to be paid for the set of recipients in amounts determined by the promotions if the performances of the set of recipients reach a qualifying threshold of the level.

A method for paying out a commission to a set of recipients based on one or more transactions, wherein the method is implemented using a data processing system that includes (A) a model to store data useful for governing aspects of commission processing, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) allocation rules, and (iii) a promotions data module and (B) a processing engine to access the model and receiving each transaction, and to process each transaction in accordance with the model, the method comprising:

• executing instructions in the data processing system for:
• obtaining the one or more transactions;
• obtaining from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients;
• determining a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• obtaining from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels;
• calculating performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises:
• obtaining one or more of the allocation rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the allocation rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients;
• and
• applying the allocation rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances;
• determining, using the processing engine, if the performances qualify for the promotions;
• and
• paying out compensation to the recipients whose performance qualifies for one or more of the promotions.

A commission system, implemented in an electronic data processing system, for determining commissions for a plurality of sales representatives based on at least one transaction, the system comprising:

• a model to store data useful for governing aspects of commission processing, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) apportionment rules, and (iii) a promotions data module;
• at least one computer readable medium having the model and computer readable instructions embodied therein, wherein the computer readable instructions implement a processing engine;
• and
• a processor coupled to the computer readable medium to execute the computer readable instructions;
• wherein the a processing engine includes code to:
• access the model and receive each transaction;
• process each transaction in accordance with the model;
• prepare ledger items;
• obtain the one or more transactions;
• obtain from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients;
• determine a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• obtain from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels;
• calculate performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises:
• obtain one or more of the apportionment rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the apportionment rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients;
• and
• apply the apportionment rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances;
• determine if the performances qualify for the promotions;
• and
• prepare ledger items, using the processing engine, that specify compensation to be paid for the set of recipients in amounts determined by the promotions if the performances of the set of recipients reach a qualifying threshold of the level.

A commission system, implemented in an electronic data processing system, for determining commissions for a plurality of sales representatives based on at least one transaction, the system comprising:

• at least one computer readable medium having computer readable instructions embodied therein, wherein the computer readable instructions implement a processing engine;
• and
• a processor coupled to the computer readable medium to execute the computer readable instructions;
• wherein the a processing engine includes code to:
• access a model and receive each transaction, the model for storing data useful for governing aspects of commission processing, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) apportionment rules, and (iii) a promotions data module;
• process each transaction in accordance with the model;
• prepare ledger items;
• obtain the one or more transactions;
• obtain from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients;
• determine a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• obtain from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels;
• calculate performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises:
• obtain one or more of the apportionment rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the apportionment rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients;
• and
• apply the apportionment rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances;
• determine if the performances qualify for the promotions;
• and
• prepare ledger items, using the processing engine, that specify compensation to be paid for the set of recipients in amounts determined by the promotions if the performances of the set of recipients reach a qualifying threshold of the level.

An apparatus to determine commissions for a plurality of sales representatives based data associated with at least one transaction stored in electronic memory, the apparatus comprising:

• means for apportioning credit for each transaction to each of the sales representatives in accordance with a predetermined data model stored in electronic memory, wherein the data model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) apportionment rules, and (iii) a promotions data module;
• means for processing the transaction;
• means for referencing the apportionment rules of the data model and apportionment attributes stored in the model;
• means for determining which of the sales representatives are eligible to receive credit for the transaction by processing the properties of the apportionment rules and attributes;
• and
• means for determining a quota state for each recipient, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• and
• means for determining the credit for each eligible sales representative by processing the properties of the apportionment rules and attributes and quota state;
• means for determining payment amounts, for each of the sales representatives to whom credit is apportioned, in accordance with promotions data in the promotions data module of the data model;
• and
• means for generating a ledger item for each sales representative for whom a payment amount is determined.

A method comprising:

• populating a data model for storage in an electronic memory, the model for storing data useful for governing aspects of commission processing by a separate processing engine, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) apportionment rules, and (iii) a promotions data module, wherein the processing engine is implemented in an electronic data processing system to execute code for:
• obtaining the one or more transactions;
• obtaining from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients;
• determining a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• obtaining from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels;
• calculating performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises:
• obtaining one or more of the allocation rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the allocation rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients;
• and
• applying the allocation rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances;
• determining, using the processing engine, if the performances qualify for the promotions;
• and
• preparing ledger items, using the processing engine, that specify compensation to be paid for the set of recipients in amounts determined by the promotions if the performances of the set of recipients reach a qualifying threshold of the level.

A computer system comprising:

• at least one computer readable medium having a model and computer readable instructions embodied therein, wherein the computer readable instructions implement a processing engine;
• wherein the model is accessible for commission processing by the processing engine, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) apportionment rules, and (iii) a promotions data module;
• a processor coupled to the computer readable medium to execute the processing engine;
• and
• a display, coupled to the processor, having a graphical user interface, displayable by a computer, to receive data for populating data fields of a rule template associated with the model;
• wherein the processing engine comprises code for:
• obtaining the one or more transactions;
• obtaining from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients;
• determining a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• obtaining from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels;
• calculating performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises:
• obtaining one or more of the allocation rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the allocation rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients;
• and
• applying the allocation rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances;
• determining, using the processing engine, if the performances qualify for the promotions;
• and
• preparing ledger items, using the processing engine, that specify compensation to be paid for the set of recipients in amounts determined by the promotions if the performances of the set of recipients reach a qualifying threshold of the level.

A method for determining commissions for a plurality of sales representatives based on at least one transaction, the method comprising:

• receiving data in a computer system associated with each transaction;
• and
• executing code with a processing engine in the computer system for:
• apportioning credit for each transaction to each of the sales representatives in accordance with a predetermined data model stored in electronic memory wherein the data model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) apportionment rules, and (iii) a promotions data module, wherein apportioning credit for each transaction further comprises:
• processing the transaction;
• referencing the apportionment rules of the model and apportionment attributes stored in the model;
• determining which of the sales representatives are eligible to receive credit for the transaction by processing the properties of the apportionment rules and attributes;
• and
• determining a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient;
• and
• determining the credit for each eligible sales representative by processing the properties of the apportionment rules and attributes, and quota state;
• determining payment amounts, for each of the sales representatives to whom credit is apportioned, in accordance with promotions data in the promotions data module of the data model;
• and
• generating a ledger item for each sales representative for whom a payment amount is determined.