Supply chain architecture
First Claim
1. A method for processing customer demands for products in a supply chain network, the method comprising:
- electronically receiving by a supply chain server forecasted demands from a plurality of customers;
electronically accumulating by the supply chain server the forecasted demands thereby producing an accumulated forecast;
generating by the supply chain server a supply plan based upon the accumulating step;
electronically sending by the supply chain server the accumulated forecast to at least one supplier;
sending products corresponding to the accumulated forecast from the at least one supplier to a cross-dock point, wherein the products are sent according to supplier shipment instructions provided by the supply chain server;
electronically receiving by the supply chain server a notice from the at least one supplier regarding the products sent to the cross-dock point;
generating by the supply chain server at least one purchase order based upon the notice and generating at least one receipt based upon the notice;
comparing by the supply chain server the at least one receipt with the supply plan;
providing by the supply chain server at least one of a voucher and a payable when the at least one receipt and the supply plan match;
assembling the products at the cross-dock point based upon particular customers who produced the forecasted demands, wherein the products are assembled according to product assembly instructions provided by the supply chain server; and
sending corresponding products to the particular customers who produced the forecasted demands, wherein the corresponding products are sent according to customer shipment instructions provided by the supply chain server.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A supply chain network where customers, suppliers, logistics providers, carriers, and financial institutions are all connected to a centralized supply chain server. The server receives forecasts from the customers detailing the orders that the customers desire. These forecasts are analyzed by the supply chain server to ensure that they conform to contractual agreements and do not contain errors. The forecasts are also used to warn the suppliers of future demands so that the suppliers can anticipate demands and plan inventory accordingly. Once supplier demand issues are resolved, the forecasts are sent to the suppliers in groups so that the suppliers prepare a smaller number of large orders. The supply chain server also controls the processes involved in distributing the product from the suppliers to the customers including the generation and payment of invoices. A form of financing the customers'"'"' purchases, made possible by the supply chain architecture, is also disclosed.
-
Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A method for processing customer demands for products in a supply chain network, the method comprising:
-
electronically receiving by a supply chain server forecasted demands from a plurality of customers; electronically accumulating by the supply chain server the forecasted demands thereby producing an accumulated forecast; generating by the supply chain server a supply plan based upon the accumulating step; electronically sending by the supply chain server the accumulated forecast to at least one supplier; sending products corresponding to the accumulated forecast from the at least one supplier to a cross-dock point, wherein the products are sent according to supplier shipment instructions provided by the supply chain server; electronically receiving by the supply chain server a notice from the at least one supplier regarding the products sent to the cross-dock point; generating by the supply chain server at least one purchase order based upon the notice and generating at least one receipt based upon the notice; comparing by the supply chain server the at least one receipt with the supply plan; providing by the supply chain server at least one of a voucher and a payable when the at least one receipt and the supply plan match; assembling the products at the cross-dock point based upon particular customers who produced the forecasted demands, wherein the products are assembled according to product assembly instructions provided by the supply chain server; and sending corresponding products to the particular customers who produced the forecasted demands, wherein the corresponding products are sent according to customer shipment instructions provided by the supply chain server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for processing customer demands for products in a supply chain network, the method comprising:
-
electronically receiving the customer demands by a supply chain server; electronically aggregating the customer demands by the supply chain server to produce an aggregated demand; generating by the supply chain server a supply plan based upon the aggregating step; electronically sending by the supply chain server the aggregated demand to at least one supplier; sending products corresponding to the aggregated demand from the at least one supplier to a cross-dock point, wherein the products are sent according to supplier shipment instructions provided by the supply chain server; electronically receiving by the supply chain server a notice from the at least one supplier regarding the products sent to the cross-dock point; generating by the supply chain server at least one purchase order based upon the notice and generating at least one receipt based upon the notice; comparing by the supply chain server the at least one receipt with the supply plan; providing by the supply chain server at least one of a voucher and a payable when the at least one receipt and the supply plan match; assembling the products at the cross-dock point based upon particular customers who produced the customer demands, wherein the products are assembled according to product assembly instructions provided by the supply chain server; and sending corresponding products to the particular customers who produced the customer demands, wherein the corresponding products are sent according to customer shipment instructions provided by the supply chain server.
-
-
17. A system for processing customer demands for products, the system comprising:
-
a supply chain server coupled to at least one customer, at least one supplier, and a logistics provider, the supply chain server including a messaging services system and an Enterprise Resource Planning system;
whereinthe messaging services system receives forecasted demands from a plurality of customers; the Enterprise Resource Planning system accumulates the forecasted demands thereby producing an accumulated forecast; the Enterprise Resource Planning system generates a supply plan based upon the accumulated forecast; the messaging services system sends the accumulated forecast to at least one supplier; the Enterprise Resource Planning system controls the logistics provider to transfer products corresponding to the accumulated forecast from the at least one supplier to a cross-dock point; the messaging system electronically receives a notice from the at least one supplier regarding the products sent to the cross-dock point; the Enterprise Resource Planning system generates at least one purchase order based upon the notice and generating at least one receipt based upon the notice; the Enterprise Resource Planning system compares the at least one receipt with the supply plan; the Enterprise Resource Planning system provides at least one of a voucher and a payable when the at least one receipt and the supply plan match; the Enterprise Resource Planning system further controls the logistics provider to assemble the products at the cross-dock point based upon particular customers who produced the forecasted demands; and the Enterprise Resource Planning system controls the logistics provider to send corresponding products to the particular customers who produced the forecasted demands. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A system for processing customer demands for at least one product, the system comprising:
-
a supply chain server coupled to at least one customer, at least one supplier, and a logistics provider, the supply chain server including a messaging services system and an Enterprise Resource Planning system;
whereinthe messaging services system receives forecasted customer demands; the Enterprise Resource Planning system aggregates the forecasted customer demands thereby producing an aggregated forecasted demand; the Enterprise Resource Planning system generates a supply plan based upon the accumulated forecast; the messaging services system sends the aggregated forecasted demand to at least one supplier; the Enterprise Resource Planning system controls the logistics provider to transfer products corresponding to the aggregated demand from the at least one supplier to a cross-dock point; the messaging system electronically receives a notice from the at least one supplier regarding the products sent to the cross-dock point; the Enterprise Resource Planning system generates at least one purchase order based upon the notice and generating at least one receipt based upon the notice; the Enterprise Resource Planning system compares the at least one receipt with the supply plan; the Enterprise Resource Planning system provides at least one of a voucher and a payable when the at least one receipt and the supply plan match; the Enterprise Resource Planning system further controls the logistics provider to assemble the products at the cross-dock point based upon particular customers who produced the customer demands; and the Enterprise Resource Planning system controls the logistics provider to send corresponding products to the particular customers who produced the customer demands.
-
Specification