Method and system for dynamic purchase order handling

• US 20070233576A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Rothley, Martina, Finke, Sabine
• Granted Patent: US 7,707,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

A method and system are provided for dynamic purchase ordering functionality in a business information system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dynamic purchase ordering functionality receives a purchase order confirmation from a supplier and notifies the purchaser. If the supplier provides a deviating quantity in the purchase order confirmation (i.e., the supplier confirmed quantity is different than the purchaser ordered quantity), a dynamic availability of the product and/or service with the deviating quantity is determined and presented to the purchaser along with the purchase order confirmation in order to assist the purchaser in responding to the supplier'"'"'s purchase order confirmation and to provide the purchaser with an integrated set of data in order to allow the purchaser greater flexibility and efficiency in responding to the supplier'"'"'s purchase order confirmation. In this manner the purchase ordering system may be enhanced from the purchaser'"'"'s perspective.

Claims

1. A method for resolving a purchase order confirmation including a deviating quantity using a business information system, comprising:

receiving the purchase order confirmation, the purchase order confirmation including the deviating quantity of a product;

determining a stock availability for the product using the business information system; and

presenting the purchase order confirmation and the stock availability to a purchaser in an integrated computer display.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

including an action element for a resolution option in the integrated computer display.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the action element is at least one of a button, a radio field, a drop-down option list box, and a menu item, a selection of the action element initiating program code for at least partial resolution of the purchase order confirmation including the deviating quantity.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the resolution option includes at least one of:

filling a gap between a requested quantity of the product and the deviating quantity using the stock availability as a function of accepting the purchase order confirmation;

generating a new purchase order to a second supplier as a function of accepting the deviating quantity in the purchase order confirmation and as a function of the gap between the requested quantity of the product and the deviating quantity;

filling the requested quantity of the product from the stock availability as a function of rejecting the purchase order confirmation; and

issuing a second purchase order to the second supplier as a function of rejecting the purchase order confirmation and as a function of not using the stock availability.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the gap is a difference of the deviating quantity subtracted from the requested quantity.

6. A system for resolving a purchase order confirmation including a deviating quantity using a business information system, comprising:

a program memory;

a storage device; and

a processor, wherein the processor is adapted to;

(i) receive the purchase order confirmation, the purchase order confirmation including the deviating quantity of a product;

(ii) determine a stock availability for the product using the business information system; and

(iii) present the purchase order confirmation and the stock availability to a purchaser in an integrated computer display.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

(iv) include an action element for a resolution option in the integrated computer display.

8. A computer readable medium including instructions adapted to execute a method for resolving a purchase order confirmation including a deviating quantity using a business information system, the method comprising:

receiving the purchase order confirmation, the purchase order confirmation including the deviating quantity of a product;

determining a stock availability for the product using the business information system; and

presenting the purchase order confirmation and the stock availability to a purchaser in an integrated computer display.

9. The computer readable medium according to claim 8, the method further comprising:

including an action element for a resolution option in the integrated computer display.