Inventory pipeline management system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inventory management computer system, comprising:
- means for determining a plurality of model inventory values for a plurality of products the system based on an inventory model;
means for collecting actual inventory data for the products from a plurality of field elements;
means for determining a plurality of actual inventory values;
means for outputting a signal based on comparisons of the model inventory values and the actual inventory values; and
means for making inventory management decisions based upon the signal output.
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Abstract
An inventory model and supporting process provides a full stream inventory management solution for the inventory that is normally present between the manufacturing and field consumption points. The model extends "just-in-time" principles to levels that support a "build today which was consumed yesterday" production mode, without requiring the use of purchase orders and the related transactions. The inventory model minimizes inventory impacts related to consumption fluctuations by maintaining a constant "days on hand" inventory approach. The model supports multiple field locations and may be designed to run on a single computer system.
196 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inventory management computer system, comprising:
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means for determining a plurality of model inventory values for a plurality of products the system based on an inventory model; means for collecting actual inventory data for the products from a plurality of field elements; means for determining a plurality of actual inventory values; means for outputting a signal based on comparisons of the model inventory values and the actual inventory values; and
means for making inventory management decisions based upon the signal output.
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2. The inventory management computer system comprising:
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an inventory model determination unit that determines a model inventory value for at least one field element based on a plurality of inventory management parameters; a data collection unit that obtains a plurality of actual inventory data from the at least one field element and determines an actual inventory value based on the actual inventory data; a differential calculation unit that outputs a signal based on a comparison of the model inventory value and the actual inventory value; a production/inventory management unit that determines whether an item must be produced or picked from inventory based on the signal output from the differential calculation unit; and a value validation and discrepancy reporting unit that outputs data for generating a plurality of management reports based on actual inventory data received from the data collection unit and comparison data received from the differential calculation unit. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operation of an inventory management computer system, the method comprising:
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using an inventory model to determine a plurality of model inventory values for a plurality of products; collecting actual inventory data from a plurality of field elements; generating actual inventory values from the actual inventory data; comparing selected actual inventory values and model inventory values; outputting a signal based upon a comparison of the model inventory values and the actual inventory values; and making inventory management decisions based upon the signal output.
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12. A method of operation of an inventory management computer system, the method comprising:
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creating an inventory model to determine model data based on a plurality of inventory management parameters for at least one distribution element; collecting a plurality of field data from the at least one distribution element in an inventory supply chain; comparing the model data and collected field data; outputting a signal based upon the comparison of the model data and collected field data; making an inventory management decision based on the signal output. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification