Method and system for computer implemented management of assembly manufacture

• US 20050071374A1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakashima, Takeshi, Parker, James Fredrick
• Application Number:
  US10/675,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20050071374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system for management of assembly manufacturer. An experiential database is maintained, listing possible suppliers for each specified assembly component. After receiving responses to a Request for Quotation (RFQ) the database is augmented and the listed suppliers are hierarchically ranked according to multiple scoring parameters. A limited number of suppliers are then selected, based upon the hierarchical rankings, and those suppliers are invited to a bidder'"'"'s conference. The identity of each supplier invited to the bidder'"'"'s conference is published to encourage competitive pricing and a final price for each specified assembly component is then negotiated utilizing the bidder'"'"'s conference format.

Claims

1. A method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer, said method comprising the steps of:

maintaining a database listing possible suppliers for a specified assembly component;

hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers within said database utilizing a plurality of scoring parameters;

automatically selecting a limited number of possible suppliers based upon said hierarchical rankings;

issuing an invitation to a bidders conference to each of said limited number of possible suppliers;

thereafter, specifying to each of said limited number of possible suppliers an identity of all of said limited number of possible suppliers; and

negotiating a final price and selecting a designated supplier for said specified assembly component following said bidders conference.

2. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 1 wherein said step of hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers within said database using a plurality of scoring parameters includes the step of hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers based in part upon previous business experience with each possible supplier.

3. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 1 wherein said step of hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers within said database using a plurality of scoring parameters includes the step of hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers based in part upon confidence in stated pricing for each possible supplier.

4. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 1 wherein said step of hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers within said database using a plurality of scoring parameters includes the step of hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers based in part upon demonstrated manufacturing performance for each possible supplier.

5. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 1 wherein the step of automatically selecting a limited number of possible suppliers based upon said hierarchical ranking comprises the step of selecting at least a top three hierarchically ranked possible suppliers.

6. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 1 further including the step issuing a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for said specified assembly component prior to hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers within said database utilizing a plurality of scoring parameters.

7. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 6 further including the step of reissuing said Request for Quotation (RFQ) for said specified assembly component after automatically selecting a limited number of possible suppliers based upon said hierarchical rankings.

8. The method for computer implemented management of assembly manufacturer according to claim 7 further including the step validating responses received to said reissued Request for Quotation (RFQ) utilizing cost estimates.

9. A computer system for managing assembly manufacturer, said computer system comprising:

a database listing possible suppliers for a specified assembly component;

means for hierarchically ranking said possible suppliers within said database utilizing a plurality of scoring parameters;

means for automatically selecting a limited number of possible suppliers based upon said hierarchical rankings;

means for issuing an invitation to a bidder'"'"'s conference to each of said limited number of possible suppliers; and

means for thereafter specifying to each of said limited number of possible suppliers an identity of all of said limited number of possible suppliers.