System, method and computer program product for building cost matrices in a supply chain management framework

• US 20030061174A1
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Restaurant Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Restaurant Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Menninger, Anthony Frank
• Application Number:
  US09/815,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20030061174A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for utilizing cost models in a supply chain utilizing a network. At least one item to be distributed is identified utilizing a graphical user interface. A cost model is associated with the item utilizing the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is then utilized to determine a time frame during which the cost model is valid. The cost model identifies a contract cost, an invoice cost, and a landed cost associated with the distribution of the item.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing cost models in a supply chain utilizing a network, comprising:

a) identifying at least one item to be distributed utilizing a graphical user interface;

b) associating a cost model with the item utilizing the graphical user interface; and

c) determining a time frame during which the cost model is valid utilizing the graphical user interface, wherein the cost model identifies a contract cost, an invoice cost, and a landed cost associated with the distribution of the item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating reports for each of the items utilizing the cost model.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the reports is for a plurality of the items.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cost model identifies a source and a destination of the item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the cost models are available for being associated with the item.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is identified and the cost model associated with the item utilizing a network.

7. A system for utilizing cost models in a supply chain utilizing a network, comprising:

a) logic for identifying at least one item to be distributed utilizing a graphical user interface;

b) logic for associating a cost model with the item utilizing the graphical user interface; and

c) logic for determining a time frame during which the cost model is valid utilizing the graphical user interface, wherein the cost model identifies a contract cost, an invoice cost, and a landed cost associated with the distribution of the item.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising logic for generating reports for each of the items utilizing the cost model.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the reports is for a plurality of the items.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the cost model identifies a source and a destination of the item.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of the cost models are available for being associated with the item.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the item is identified and the cost model associated with the item utilizing a network.

13. A computer program product for utilizing cost models in a supply chain utilizing a network, comprising:

a) computer code for identifying at least one item to be distributed utilizing a graphical user interface;

b) computer code for associating a cost model with the item utilizing the graphical user interface; and

c) computer code for determining a time frame during which the cost model is valid utilizing the graphical user interface, wherein the cost model identifies a contract cost, an invoice cost, and a landed cost associated with the distribution of the item.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising computer code for generating reports for each of the items utilizing the cost model.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein at least one of the reports is for a plurality of the items.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the cost model identifies a source and a destination of the item.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein a plurality of the cost models are available for being associated with the item.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the item is identified and the cost model associated with the item utilizing a network.