Vendor-managed inventory method and system
First Claim
1. A method for providing vendor-managed inventory services via a vendor managed inventory tool over a network environment, comprising:
- receiving a signal from a sensor device indicating that a minimum level specified for a product used in a manufacturing location has been reached, said level measured by a quantity of said product;
querying a local inventory database at a buyer system for a supply availability status of said product; and
if said supply availability status indicates adequate quantities of said product exist at said buyer system;
generating a demand note for resupply of said product;
transmitting said demand note to local inventory;
delivering said product to said manufacturing location; and
updating said local inventory database to reflect said resupply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method and system for providing vendor-managed inventory services via a vendor-managed inventory tool over a network environment. The method comprises receiving a signal from a sensor device indicating that a minimum level specified for a product used in a manufacturing location has been reached; querying a local inventory database at the buyer system for a supply status wherein said querying causes the vendor-managed inventory tool to either: transmit the demand note to a local inventory system for restocking of the product where sufficient quantities are locally available; or transmit the demand note to a vendor system where the supply levels are checked in vendor storage and/or vendor warehouse storage. A notice is transmitted to the buyer system where supply levels are sufficient to meet requirements specified in the demand note. If supply levels are insufficient, an order is generated and transmitted to the vendor factory to manufacture the product. Resupply of ordered goods is then effectuated through standard channels, and invoicing documentation/electronic messages and finances are transacted through standard payment means.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for providing vendor-managed inventory services via a vendor managed inventory tool over a network environment, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a sensor device indicating that a minimum level specified for a product used in a manufacturing location has been reached, said level measured by a quantity of said product;
querying a local inventory database at a buyer system for a supply availability status of said product; and
if said supply availability status indicates adequate quantities of said product exist at said buyer system;
generating a demand note for resupply of said product;
transmitting said demand note to local inventory;
delivering said product to said manufacturing location; and
updating said local inventory database to reflect said resupply. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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2. A method for providing vendor-managed inventory services via a vendor managed inventory tool over a network environment, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a sensor device indicating that a minimum level specified for a product used in a manufacturing location has been reached, said level measured by a quantity of said product;
querying a local inventory database at a buyer system for a supply availability status of said product; and
if said supply availability status indicates inadequate quantities of said product exist at said buyer system;
generating a demand note for resupply of said product;
transmitting said demand note to a vendor system;
performing at least one of;
checking local storage at said vendor system for said supply availability status; and
checking local storage at a warehouse for said supply availability status; and
if said supply availability status indicates adequate quantities of said product exist at said vendor system;
notifying said buyer system of said status;
delivering said product to said buyer system;
executing correlated billing activities;
updating said local inventory database at said buyer system to reflect said resupply; and
updating a vendor database at said vendor system;
if said supply availability status indicates inadequate quantities of said product exist at said vendor system;
transmitting said demand note to a factory for manufacture of said product;
delivering said product to said buyer system from said manufacturer;
executing correlated billing activities;
updating said local inventory database at said buyer system to reflect said resupply; and
updating said vendor database at said vendor system.
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6. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for providing vendor-managed inventory services over a network environment, the storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:
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receiving a signal from a sensor device indicating that a minimum level specified for a product used in a manufacturing location has been reached, said level measured by a quantity of said product;
querying a local inventory database at a buyer system for a supply availability status of said product; and
if said supply availability status indicates adequate quantities of said product exist at said buyer system;
generating a demand note for resupply of said product;
transmitting said demand note to local inventory;
delivering said product to said manufacturing location; and
updating said local inventory database to reflect said resupply. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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7. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for providing vendor-managed inventory services over a network environment, the storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:
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receiving a signal from a sensor device indicating that a minimum level specified for a product used in a manufacturing location has been reached, said level measured by a quantity of said product;
querying a local inventory database at a buyer system for a supply availability status of said product; and
if said supply availability status indicates inadequate quantities of said product exist at said buyer system;
generating a demand note for resupply of said product;
transmitting said demand note to a vendor system;
performing at least one of;
checking local storage at said vendor system for said supply availability status; and
checking local storage at a warehouse for said supply availability status; and
if said supply availability status indicates adequate quantities of said product exist at said vendor system;
notifying said buyer system of said status;
delivering said product to said buyer system;
executing correlated billing activities;
updating said local inventory database at said buyer system to reflect said resupply; and
updating a vendor database at said vendor system;
if said supply availability status indicates inadequate quantities of said product exist at said vendor system;
transmitting said demand note to a factory for manufacture of said product;
delivering said product to said buyer system from said manufacturer;
executing correlated billing activities;
updating said local inventory database at said buyer system to reflect said resupply; and
updating said vendor database at said vendor system.
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11. A system for providing vendor-managed inventory services via a vendor-managed inventory tool over a network environment, comprising:
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a vendor system including;
a server;
a workstation in communication with said server;
a data storage device in communication with said server; and
a storage location in communication with said server;
wherein said communication is facilitated by an electronic communications link; and
a network link to;
a buyer system;
a manufacturing system; and
a storage warehouse. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification