System for Managing Customer Orders
First Claim
1. A system for processing customer orders for goods in a computer-based data processing system having a plurality of connected databases, comprising:
- an input component for entry of customer orders;
a processor for validating customer orders and controlling user interaction with the plurality of databases through a plurality of components operating on the processor, including;
a component for automatically checking inventory for availability of ordered goods;
a component for enabling retrieval and tracking of goods stored in inventory to create shipping loads;
a component for building shipping loads from the retrieved goods; and
a component for scheduling delivery of shipping loads to a plurality of customers.
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Abstract
The system of this invention manages customer orders using vendor supplied software systems interfaced on a real-time basis to touch the data in each system on a real-time basis. In effect, there is horizontal communication between the various components of the system such as inventory, purchasing, order management and receipt, logistics and inventory to have continual data flow without using a vertical software interface. As a result, customer orders are received on a real-time basis using screens that are user friendly to promptly take orders, to verify customer data and to verify the ability to meet those orders. Transmission of documents within the system is minimized thereby making it more efficient, timely and cost efficient.
51 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for processing customer orders for goods in a computer-based data processing system having a plurality of connected databases, comprising:
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an input component for entry of customer orders;
a processor for validating customer orders and controlling user interaction with the plurality of databases through a plurality of components operating on the processor, including;
a component for automatically checking inventory for availability of ordered goods;
a component for enabling retrieval and tracking of goods stored in inventory to create shipping loads;
a component for building shipping loads from the retrieved goods; and
a component for scheduling delivery of shipping loads to a plurality of customers.
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2. A method for processing customer orders in a computer-based data processing system comprising the steps of:
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receiving the customer orders for goods from an input source;
processing the customer orders based on information stored in a plurality of connected databases;
checking an inventory availability of the ordered goods in response to the customer orders;
retrieving the ordered goods that are available from inventory;
building a shipping load for the ordered goods available from inventory; and
scheduling the shipping load with a selected carrier for delivery to a customer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for processing customer orders comprising:
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an input component for accepting orders for goods received from customers;
a plurality of databases that are accessed by the input component;
a component for processing customers orders based on information stored in the plurality of databases;
a component for checking inventory availability for ordered goods;
a component for facilitating the retrieval of the ordered goods that are available from inventory;
a component for building a shipping load for the ordered good available from inventory; and
a component for scheduling the shipping load with a selected carrier for customer delivery. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification