Method for facilitating supply chain functions relating to inventory items utilizing a leased asset inventory model

• US 20030069739A1
• Filed: 10/05/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Wylie, Glen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/971,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069739A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for facilitating supply chain inventory functions using a leased inventory model. The method comprises: entering into a lease agreement with a supplier of inventory items; creating an asset pool for the inventory items; periodically pulling items from the asset pool; and replacing items pulled with items of at least equal quality. The asset pool may contain raw materials for use in a manufacturing environment, finished goods for sale and/or end of life parts for use in servicing failing products. Parties to the lease agreements include a number of entities and may include a manufacturer; a supplier; a retailer; and a hub. Any of these parties may retain possession of the asset pool as well as access to the asset pool.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating supply chain inventory functions using a leased inventory model, comprising:

entering into a lease agreement with a supplier of inventory items;

creating an asset pool of said inventory items;

periodically pulling items from said asset pool; and

replacing items pulled from said asset pool with items of at least equal quality.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said asset pool contains raw materials for use in a manufacturing environment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said asset pool contains finished goods for sale.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said asset pool contains end of life parts for use in servicing failing products.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a party to said lease agreement related to said asset pool includes one or more of:

a manufacturer;

a supplier;

a retailer; and

a hub.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said asset pool is located at a facility associated with said manufacturer, wherein said manufacturer controls access to said asset pool.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said asset pool is located at a facility associated with said supplier, wherein said supplier controls access to said asset pool.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said asset pool is located at a facility associated with said retailer, wherein said retailer controls access to said asset pool.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said asset pool is located at a facility associated with said hub, wherein said hub controls access to said asset pool.