3 ms·

I think that is just discontinuous, not sub linear.

• Retric 6y ago
  I think you’re misunderstanding the idea. Let’s use a simple model for N customers you need Pi people rounded up. As you increase by 10x the average cost per N customers keeps decreasing. So, f(N) = 4, f(10N) = 3.2, f(100N)= 3.15, f(1,000N)= 3.142 ... Except in the real world this is being optimized based on a forecast at every point in the day and every day of the year. You might not think of demand in those terms, but it’s a huge area of optimization at both large companies like Walmart all the way down to individual restaurants.
  • faeyanpiraat 6y ago
    You could also create combined call centers which service two industries which are similar enough, that the same support rep can serve them both, but have an opposite demand curve troughout the year. To see these opportunities you need data, but it is the most closely guarded secret of companies. In the short term it gives them an advantage, but in the long run society as a whole could benefit tremendously from open data sharing. Am I wrong about this?