In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an automated system for analyzing customer trends is provided. Clients can upload data into the system over a wide area network such as the Internet, preferably using the client's spreadsheet. Reports are created in accordance with the individual customer data. The reports include a quantity of accounts for categories of customer sales characteristics is displayed in the form of number of accounts and percentage of total. A quantification of categories of customer sales characteristics is displayed in the form of sales, sales growth, and percentage of sales growth. In addition, a further quantification of categories of customer sales characteristics is displayed in the form of gross profit, gross profit growth, and percentage of gross profit growth. A contribution of the categories of customer sales characteristics is displayed in the form of margin percentage and percentage of total of gross profit. Various statistics about the categories of customer characteristics can be highlighted. Reports are provided over the wide area network to the appropriate level of management for quick analysis. A summary of significant customer trends is provided in the reports. Also, within the reports a link is provided from the summary data to detailed, backup data. Clients are allowed to customize the reports sort data.