System and method for managing inventory
First Claim
1. A system for managing inventory, the system comprising:
- an inventory control unit for controlling receipt, dispatch and storage of inventory at a warehouse, the inventory control unit comprising;
an inventory server comprising an EDI transceiver for exchanging EDI information and for recording receipt, dispatch and storage of inventory;
a web server for handling customer inquiries and providing inventory status information; and
an inventory database respectively connected with the inventory server and the web server, for storing information on suppliers, customers and inventory status, and for responding to requests from the inventory server and the web server;
a supplier information system comprising an EDI transceiver for exchanging EDI information; and
a customer information system comprising an EDI transceiver for exchanging EDI information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for managing inventory automatically monitors inventory amounts, provides information concerning inventory, and automatically adjusts an inventory replenishment schedule. The system includes: an inventory control unit (1) having: an inventory server (10), for controlling receipt, dispatch and storage of inventory, for integrating information received from suppliers and customers with information on current inventory amounts, and for determining if current inventory should be replenished; an inventory database (12) for storing information on suppliers, customers and inventory status; and a web server (13) for handling inquiries. A current amount of inventory is periodically monitored, and an inventory warning report is automatically generated when the amount of inventory is outside a safe range of amounts. The report is sent to the corresponding supplier, customer and/or other relevant staff by E-mail. When the supplier information system receives the report, the supplier information system automatically adjusts an inventory replenishment schedule accordingly.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for managing inventory, the system comprising:
an inventory control unit for controlling receipt, dispatch and storage of inventory at a warehouse, the inventory control unit comprising;
an inventory server comprising an EDI transceiver for exchanging EDI information and for recording receipt, dispatch and storage of inventory;
a web server for handling customer inquiries and providing inventory status information; and
an inventory database respectively connected with the inventory server and the web server, for storing information on suppliers, customers and inventory status, and for responding to requests from the inventory server and the web server;
a supplier information system comprising an EDI transceiver for exchanging EDI information; and
a customer information system comprising an EDI transceiver for exchanging EDI information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for managing inventory, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) setting a safe range of amount of inventory for respective kinds of inventory;
(b) transmitting the safe range information to an inventory control unit;
(c) monitoring current amounts of inventory periodically for respective kinds of inventory;
(d) comparing current amounts of inventory with the safe range information;
(e) determining whether the current amounts of inventory are within the respective safe ranges;
(f) returning to step (c) if the current amounts of inventory are within the respective safe ranges;
(g) generating an inventory warning report automatically via the inventory control unit if a current amount of inventory is not within its respective safe range; and
(h) transmitting the inventory warning report. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of managing inventory comprising steps of:
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(1) setting a time period to evaluate inventory amount according to transaction frequency;
for each evaluation the method including the steps of;
(2) setting a safe range of amount of inventory for each respective inventory according to transaction frequency;
(3) comparing a current amount of a specific inventory with the corresponding safe range;
(4) repeating step (3) if the current amount is within the safe range, or if not, (5) automatically generating a warning report for replenishment and transmitting said report to an inventory manager.
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Specification