Parts requirement planning system and method across an extended supply chain
First Claim
1. A method of managing a supply chain within a multi-enterprise environment via a computer network, said multi-enterprise environment including a manufacturing enterprise and at least one supply chain entity, comprising:
- loading a bill of material file into said computer network;
processing said bill of material file;
generating a bid request from said bill of material file;
transmitting said bid request to a web site;
receiving at least one bid response by said at least one supply chain entity;
analyzing said bid response;
generating an award notice;
transmitting said award notice to said at least one supply chain entity, based upon results of said analyzing; and
tracking selected activities in a log;
wherein said processing said bill of material file includes incorporating marketing cost analysis data into said computer network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based system and method for automating supply chain functions in a network environment, and more particularly, for identifying and implementing cost-savings techniques within the parts planning and procurement system of an extended enterprise. The system comprises a manufacturing enterprise system, comprising a host system operating a web server, an applications server, and a database manager; a data storage device in communication with the host system, and at least one terminal for accessing the host system. The system runs on a network that is coupled to the Internet and is accessible to a supplier enterprise system identified with proper permissions. The applications server executes a set of programs for managing the manufacturing enterprise system, including the A-source application and parts requirement planning tool of the present invention. Bills of material, requests for quotes (RFQs), requests for price updates, and the physical and business attributes belonging to the bills of material are inputted into the manufacturing enterprise system via the A-Source application where analysis and calculations are performed on the inputs.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method of managing a supply chain within a multi-enterprise environment via a computer network, said multi-enterprise environment including a manufacturing enterprise and at least one supply chain entity, comprising:
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loading a bill of material file into said computer network;
processing said bill of material file;
generating a bid request from said bill of material file;
transmitting said bid request to a web site;
receiving at least one bid response by said at least one supply chain entity;
analyzing said bid response;
generating an award notice;
transmitting said award notice to said at least one supply chain entity, based upon results of said analyzing; and
tracking selected activities in a log;
wherein said processing said bill of material file includes incorporating marketing cost analysis data into said computer network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of managing a supply chain within a multi-enterprise environment via a computer network, said multi-enterprise environment including a manufacturing enterprise and at least one supply chain entity, comprising:
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loading a bill of material file into said computer network;
processing said bill of material file;
generating a bid request from said bill of material file;
transmitting said bid request to a web site;
receiving at least one bid response by said at least one supply chain entity;
analyzing said bid response;
generating an award notice;
transmitting said award notice to said at least one supply chain entity, based upon results of said analyzing; and
tracking selected activities in a log;
wherein said processing said bill of material file includes associating physical attributes of components listed on said bill of material file with corresponding business attributes of said components. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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25. A system for managing supply chain functions within a multi-enterprise environment, the system comprising:
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a manufacturing enterprise including;
a host system;
said host system including a web server, an applications server and a database manager;
wherein said web server, said applications server and said database manager are in communication with each other;
a security device for determining access to said host system;
an a-source application executable by said applications server;
a bridging application in communication with said a-source application;
at least one computer terminal in communication with said web server;
a network connecting the web server to said terminal;
a data storage device, said data storage device in communication with said host system; and
a supplier enterprise including;
at least one terminal;
a network connecting said terminal with said security means, and a local data storage device, said local data storage device in communication with said terminal;
wherein said manufacturing enterprise system and said supplier enterprise system are in communication with each other.
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29. A storage medium with machine-readable computer program code for managing a supply chain within a multi-enterprise environment via a computer network, said multi-enterprise environment including a manufacturing enterprise and at least one supply chain entity, the storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, comprising:
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loading a bill of material file into said computer network;
processing said bill of material file;
generating a bid request from said bill of material file;
transmitting said bid request to a web site;
receiving at least one bid response by said at least one supply chain entity;
analyzing said bid response;
generating an award notice;
transmitting said award notice to said at least one supply chain entity, based upon results of said analyzing; and
tracking selected activities in a log;
wherein said processing said bill of material file includes incorporating marketing cost analysis data into said computer network.
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39. A storage medium with machine-readable computer program code for managing a supply chain within a multi-enterprise environment via a computer network, said multi-enterprise environment including a manufacturing enterprise and at least one supply chain entity, the storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, comprising:
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loading a bill of material file into said computer network;
processing said bill of material file;
generating a bid request from said bill of material file;
transmitting said bid request to a web site;
receiving at least one bid response by said at least one supply chain entity;
analyzing said bid response;
generating an award notice;
transmitting said award notice to said at least one supply chain entity, based upon results of said analyzing; and
tracking selected activities in a log;
wherein said processing said bill of material file includes associating physical attributes of components listed on said bill of material file with corresponding business attributes of said components.
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Specification