NETWORK-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT METHOD

• US 20090307063A1
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Villalobos, Mauricio Alejandro, Murray, Michael P., Ayala, Roberto
• Granted Patent: US 8,086,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response; and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast. The method also includes monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by a supplier based upon a formal commitment, refilling inventory items at the replenishment service center, and facilitating delivery of the inventory items to the enterprise site by transmitting a pull signal to the replenishment service center whereby inventory items are delivered in response to the pull signal.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating replenishment execution in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier, the method comprising:

generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to said at least one supplier;

receiving, from said at least one supplier, a supplier capability statement;

generating a constrained forecast using at least one supplier capability statement;

transmitting said constrained forecast to said at least one supplier; and

receiving, from said at least one supplier, a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in said constrained forecast.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by said at least one supplier based upon said formal commitment;

refilling inventory items at said replenishment service center according to said formal commitment;

facilitating delivery of said inventory items to a site location for said enterprise by transmitting a pull signal to said replenishment service center; and

receiving said inventory items in response to said pull signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said monitoring said inventory levels at said replenishment service center includes providing said site location for said enterprise, said at least one supplier, and said replenishment service center a visibility of said inventory materials in transit.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said monitoring said inventory levels by said at least one supplier includes maintaining a minimum supply level.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said minimum supply level is measured in days of supply at said replenishment service center.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said days of supply is calculated by rationalizing current units of inventory against expected consumption.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said expected consumption represents said constrained forecast.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein said monitoring said inventory levels is performed by accessing an inventory status provided by said replenishment service center.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein said site location for said enterprise monitors said inventory levels.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein said refilling said inventory items includes:

providing an advance ship notice to said replenishment service center and said site location for said enterprise; and

updating a database to indicate when said inventory items are shipped.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein said transmitting said pull signal to said replenishment service center includes providing a pull request number to said replenishment service center requesting delivery of said inventory items, wherein a transfer order is generated at said replenishment service center in response to said pull signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a goods issued document is created in response to preparing said inventory items for delivery, said goods issued document including said pull request number.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a goods receipt is generated upon delivery of said inventory items, said goods receipt associated with said pull request number.