System and method for optimizing resource plans

• US 20030033180A1
• Filed: 10/29/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JDA Software Group Incorporated (RedPrairie Holding Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Manugistics Group Incorporated (RedPrairie Holding Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bongartz, Ingrid, MacMillan, Robert, Joshi, Salil, Greamo, Christopher A., Hooks, Michael, Shekar, Konanur Chandra
• Application Number:
  US09/984,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20030033180A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The present invention describes a method and system for optimizing resource plans across multiple networks. Aspects of the disclosure include creating planning data and planning rules. Planning data contains information regarding constrained resources in the multiple networks. Planning rules are based on user-defined strategies. Additional aspects include generating a plan based on the planning data and the planning rules and revising the plan in real-time. The generated plan optimally allocates the constrained resources according to the user-defined strategies.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing resource plans across multiple networks, the multiple-networks including manufacturing, distribution, and supplier networks, the method comprising:

creating planning data, planning data containing information regarding constrained resources;

creating planning rules based on user-defined strategies;

generating a plan based on the planning data and the planning rules, wherein the plan optimally allocates the constrained resources according to the user-defined strategies; and

revising the plan in real-time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

publishing the plan; and

implementing the plan by issuing commands in the multiple networks.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the commands include sell, purchase, make, and move commands.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the publishing step further comprises:

issuing one or more alerts.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the constrained resources include materials, capacities, inventories, transportation resources, and distribution resources.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the revising step takes into account user inputs and real-time events including production breakdowns, distribution delays, and material shortages occurring within the multiple networks.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the revising step further comprises:

comparing the plan with past plans;

measuring plan quality;

viewing performance issue details;

analyzing causes of performance problems; and

resolving exceptions and action messages.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the performance issue details include delivery performance, inventory performance, resource performance, and cash-flow performance.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the causes of performance problems include delivery causes, inventory cases, resource causes, and cash-flow causes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the revising step further comprises:

validating the plan; and

repairing the plan.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating step also considers one or more aggregate stock keeping units.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating step uses one or more loading strategies.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more loading strategies include sequential loading, parallel loading, variable lead-time calculation, and just-in-time loading.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating step considers one or more ship-complete orders.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating step further comprises:

minimizing an excess, including an inventory excess and a supply excess.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the information regarding constrained resources includes static factors and dynamic factors.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the static factors include locations, items, stock keeping unites, resources, lanes, processes, bill of materials, and bill of routing.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the dynamic factors include shipping calendars, receiving calendars, effectivity calendars, manufacturing availability calendars, and constraint settings.

19. A system for optimizing resource plans across multiple networks, the multiple-networks including manufacturing, distribution, and supplier networks, the system comprising:

means for creating planning data, planning data containing information regarding constrained resources;

means for creating planning rules based on user-defined strategies;

means for generating a plan based on the planning data and the planning rules, wherein the plan optimally allocates the constrained resources according to the user-defined strategies; and

means for revising the plan in real-time.

20. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for optimizing resource plans across multiple networks, the multiple networks including manufacturing, distribution, and supplier networks, the computer program product adapted when run on a computer to effect steps including:

creating planning data, planning data containing information regarding constrained resources;

creating planning rules based on user-defined strategies;

generating a plan based on the planning data and the planning rules, wherein the plan optimally allocates the constrained resources according to the user-defined strategies; and

revising the plan in real-time.