Managing an inventory of service parts
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for optimizing TSLs (“
- target stock levels”
) for an inventory of stock keeping units (“
SKUs”
), the method comprising;
developing a service strategy for assigning a service level for each of the plurality of segments;
analyzing the plurality of segments and the service levels for the plurality of segments for identifying at least one logistically distinct business (“
LDB”
);
assigning each of the plurality of segments to a “
best-fit”
planning model for indicating deployment, replenishment, forecasting and review characteristics for the segments; and
identifying a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) for estimating a demand process of each of the plurality of segments.
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Abstract
An inventory of service parts may be managed by assessing a company'"'"'s capability, optimizing the inventory and implementing a management program based on the assessment and optimization. Optimizing target stock levels for the inventory of parts may be accomplished by calculating an inventory baseline for understanding information about the currently held inventory; developing a service strategy for a set of segments; quantifying a service level for each of the segments; analyzing the segments and their service levels for identifying at least one logistically distinct business; assigning each of the segments to a “best-fit” planning model for indicating each segment'"'"'s deployment, replenishment, forecasting and review characteristics; identifying a probability distribution function for estimating a demand process of each of the segments; and calculating a target stock level for each segment.
71 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for optimizing TSLs (“
- target stock levels”
) for an inventory of stock keeping units (“
SKUs”
), the method comprising;
developing a service strategy for assigning a service level for each of the plurality of segments;
analyzing the plurality of segments and the service levels for the plurality of segments for identifying at least one logistically distinct business (“
LDB”
);
assigning each of the plurality of segments to a “
best-fit”
planning model for indicating deployment, replenishment, forecasting and review characteristics for the segments; and
identifying a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) for estimating a demand process of each of the plurality of segments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- target stock levels”
-
14. A method for meeting a service level at a probable minimum cost, the method comprising:
-
identifying a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) of a demand process;
running a simulation to test the PDF against historical usage data to determine a service level;
adjusting a deployment algorithm based on results of the simulation; and
repeating the steps of identifying, running and adjusting until an acceptance threshold is met.
-
-
15. The method from 14, wherein the step of identifying comprises:
-
identifying a first possible PDF using a goodness of fit test;
identifying a second possible PDF using a goodness of fit test; and
choosing to use the first or second possible PDF based on a deviation from expected outcomes.
-
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16. A method for determining a target stock level for an inventory of stock keeping units, the method comprising:
-
running analytics and performing qualitative analysis to align a stock keeping unit (“
SKU”
) to a “
best-fit”
planning model;
statistically identify a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) for demand of the SKU; and
assigning a deployment algorithm and lot sizing algorithm to deliver a target stock level (“
TSL”
) to probably meet a service level at a desired cost objective.
-
-
17. A method for generating a sampling, comprising:
-
determining a total population of an inventory of members;
segmenting the total population into a plurality of segments;
determining a sampling error for use in analysis;
calculating a sample size for each of the plurality of segments;
using a criterion measure for ranking members of each of the plurality of segments;
generating a set of random numbers for each of the plurality of segments, wherein the set is equal to the sample size for the segment; and
extracting from each of the plurality of segments the members whose rankings match the set of random numbers.
-
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18. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium for programming a computer to optimize target stock levels for an inventory of stock keeping units (“
- SKUs”
), the computer program comprising;
a code segment for developing a service strategy for assigning a service level for each of the plurality of segments;
a code segment for analyzing the plurality of segments and the service levels for the plurality of segments for identifying at least one logistically distinct business (“
LDB”
);
a code segment for assigning each of the plurality of segments to a “
best-fit”
planning model for indicating deployment, replenishment, forecasting and review characteristics for the segments; and
a code segment for identifying a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) for estimating a demand process of each of the plurality of segments.
- SKUs”
-
19. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium for programming a computer to meet a service level at a probable minimum cost, the computer program comprising:
-
a code segment for identifying a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) of a demand process;
a code segment for running a simulation to test the PDF against historical usage data to determine a service level;
a code segment for adjusting a deployment algorithm based on results of the simulation; and
a code segment for repeating the steps of identifying, running and adjusting until an acceptance threshold is met.
-
-
20. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium for programming a computer to determine a target stock level for an inventory of stock keeping units, the computer program comprising:
-
a code segment for running analytics and performing qualitative analysis to align a stock keeping unit (“
SKU”
) to a “
best-fit”
planning model;
a code segment for statistically identify a probability distribution function (“
PDF”
) for demand of the SKU; and
a code segment for assigning a deployment algorithm and lot sizing algorithm to deliver a target stock level (“
TSL”
) to probably meet a service level at a desired cost objective.
-
-
21. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium for programming a computer to generate a sampling, comprising:
-
a code segment for determining a total population of an inventory of members;
a code segment for segmenting the total population into a plurality of segments;
a code segment for determining a sampling error for use in analysis;
a code segment for calculating a sample size for each of the plurality of segments;
a code segment for using a criterion measure for ranking members of each of the plurality of segments;
a code segment for generating a set of random numbers for each of the plurality of segments, wherein the set is equal to the sample size for the segment; and
a code segment for extracting from each of the plurality of segments the members whose rankings match the set of random numbers.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeAccenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
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Original AssigneeAccenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
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InventorsDerrick, R. Douglas, Jacoby, Robert A.
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current705/10
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CPC Class CodesG06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requir...G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock manageme...
