System, method and computer program product for low-cost fulfillment in a supply chain management framework

• US 20030074264A1
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Restaurant Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Restaurant Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoffman, George Herry
• Application Number:
  US09/816,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0605 Supply or demand aggregation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for reducing costs in a supply chain management framework. Data is received from a plurality of supply chain participants utilizing a network. The received data relates to the sale of products by the supply chain participants. Rules are determined to ensure the incurrence of minimal costs to the supply chain participants and the rules are applied to ensure supply to the supply chain participants at minimal cost without requiring the supply chain manager to take title to any goods.

Claims

1. A method for reducing costs in a supply chain management framework, comprising:

a) receiving data from a plurality of supply chain participants utilizing a network, the data relating to the sale of products by the supply chain participants;

b) determining rules to ensure the incurrence of minimal costs to the supply chain participants; and

c) applying the rules to ensure supply to the supply chain participants at minimal cost without requiring the supply chain manager to take title to any goods.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules are determined by a brand owner.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules indicate a distributor to which the electronic order form is to be sent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules indicate an amount of the products to be ordered from the distributor of the supply chain.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein forecasting is carried out as a function of the rules.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein promotion planning is carried out as a function of the rules.

7. A system for reducing costs in a supply chain management framework, comprising:

a) logic for receiving data from a plurality of supply chain participants utilizing a network, the data relating to the sale of products by the supply chain participants;

b) logic for determining rules to ensure the incurrence of minimal costs to the supply chain participants; and

c) logic for applying the rules to ensure supply to the supply chain participants at minimal cost without requiring the supply chain manager to take title to any goods.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the rules are determined by a brand owner.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the rules indicate a distributor to which the electronic order form is to be sent.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the rules indicate an amount of the products to be ordered from the distributor of the supply chain.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein forecasting is carried out as a function of the rules.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein promotion planning is carried out as a function of the rules.

13. A computer program product for reducing costs in a supply chain management framework, comprising:

a) computer code for receiving data from a plurality of supply chain participants utilizing a network, the data relating to the sale of products by the supply chain participants;

b) computer code for determining rules to ensure the incurrence of minimal costs to the supply chain participants; and

c) computer code applying the rules to ensure supply to the supply chain participants at minimal cost without requiring the supply chain manager to take title to any goods.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the rules are determined by a brand owner.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the rules indicate a distributor to which the electronic order form is to be sent.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the rules indicate an amount of the products to be ordered from the distributor of the supply chain.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein forecasting is carried out as a function of the rules.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein promotion planning is carried out as a function of the rules.