Supply chain management system and method
First Claim
1. A supply chain management method implemented by a processor, a storage device, a communications interface, and user terminals or computers, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) the processor generating a fresh unique reference for an item at the start of its life in a supply chain, said unique reference incorporating a component derived from the physical location of origin of the item, and said reference has multiple components, each successive component being unique in the context of the preceding component;
(b) for every transaction involving the item, transmitting transaction data via the communications interface, generating a transaction record including the unique reference of the item and storing the transaction record in the storage device;
(c) if the item is modified, performing steps (a) and (b) above for a spawned item derived from the modified item, the modified item being a parent item and the spawned item being a child item, linking in the storage device the unique reference of the child item with the unique reference of the parent item; and
(d) when an item terminates in the supply chain, preventing generation further transaction records for the unique reference of the item.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A supply chain management system (1) has a server (2) and a tracking database (3) linked to multiple remote transaction sites (10, 15, 16, 17, 18). A manufacturing facility (10) manufactures a product (12) and the system (1) assigns a unique reference to it. This reference includes a component identifying the location (10) of production. Each subsequent operation involving the product along the supply chain generates transaction data and the system (1) records a transaction record for it. If the product is modified such as by splitting the pallet, the original reference is terminated and no more transaction records can be generated for it. The modified product is assigned a fresh reference and a series of tracking records is generated as it moves along the supply chain.
41 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A supply chain management method implemented by a processor, a storage device, a communications interface, and user terminals or computers, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) the processor generating a fresh unique reference for an item at the start of its life in a supply chain, said unique reference incorporating a component derived from the physical location of origin of the item, and said reference has multiple components, each successive component being unique in the context of the preceding component;
(b) for every transaction involving the item, transmitting transaction data via the communications interface, generating a transaction record including the unique reference of the item and storing the transaction record in the storage device;
(c) if the item is modified, performing steps (a) and (b) above for a spawned item derived from the modified item, the modified item being a parent item and the spawned item being a child item, linking in the storage device the unique reference of the child item with the unique reference of the parent item; and
(d) when an item terminates in the supply chain, preventing generation further transaction records for the unique reference of the item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification