Optimized deployment of parts in a distribution network

• US 8,055,369 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JDA Software Group Incorporated (RedPrairie Holding Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: JDA Software Group Incorporated (RedPrairie Holding Incorporated)
• Inventors: Birjandi, Rosa H., Bakkalbasi, Omer
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US12/684,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20100114669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 235/376, 235/385, 235/383, 705 8- 10, 705/7.11, 705/7.12, 705/7.22, 705/7.23, 705/7.25, 705/7.27, 705/7.31, 700/99, 700/106, 700/115, 700/117
• US Class Current: 700/106
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0202 Market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities

Abstract

A method for deploying parts is disclosed. Locations that include supply locations and demand locations are defined. A supply location supplies parts to a demand location. A demand is computed for each part at each location. An availability lead-time is estimated for each part at each location. A lead-time demand is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A stock level is computed for each part at each location. A completely filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels, and a partially filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels. A coverage function for the parts at the locations is generated from the completely filled demand and the partially filled demand.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system deploying parts in a distribution network, the system comprising:

a computer coupled with one or more databases, the computer configured to;

access data associated with a plurality of parts at a plurality of locations in the distribution network;

calculate a demand for each part at each location;

estimate an availability lead-time for each part at each location; and

generate a coverage function for each location based on the availability lead-time and the accessed data for each part.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the coverage function is optimized by minimizing an expected backorder for at least one of the plurality of parts at each location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to:

optimize the coverage function; and

determine an optimal deployment of the parts at each location according to the optimized coverage function.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to calculate a replenishment lead-time for each part at each location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with a demand history, the demand history describes parts required at each location.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with a repair history, the repair history describes the capability of each location to repair a part.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with one or more paths used to transfer parts between locations.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessed data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

a cost of transporting parts along one or more paths;

a cost of purchasing one or more parts;

a cost of storing one or more parts at each location as a percentage of the purchase cost for the one or more parts; and

a cost associated with ordering one or more parts.

9. A computer-implemented method for deploying parts in a distribution network, comprising:

accessing, by a computer, data associated with a plurality of parts at a plurality of locations in the distribution network;

calculating, by the computer, a demand for each part at each location;

estimating, by the computer, an availability lead-time for each part at each location; and

generating, by the computer, a coverage function for each location based on the availability lead-time and the accessed data for each part.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the coverage function is optimized by minimizing an expected backorder for at least one of the plurality of parts at each location.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

optimizing the coverage function; and

determining an optimal deployment of the parts at each location according to the optimized coverage function.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising calculating a replenishment lead-time for each part at each location.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with a demand history, the demand history describes parts required at each location.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with a repair history, the repair history describes the capability of each location to repair a part.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with one or more paths used to transfer parts between locations.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessed data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

a cost of transporting parts along one or more paths;

a cost of purchasing one or more parts;

a cost of storing one or more parts at each location as a percentage of the purchase cost for the one or more parts; and

a cost associated with ordering one or more parts.

17. A computer-readable storage medium embodied with software of deploying parts in a distribution network, the software when executed using one or more computers is configured to:

access data associated with a plurality of parts at a plurality of locations in the distribution network;

calculate a demand for each part at each location;

estimate an availability lead-time for each part at each location; and

generate a coverage function for each location network based on the availability lead-time and the accessed data for each part.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the coverage function is optimized by minimizing an expected backorder for at least one of the plurality of parts at each location.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further configured to:

optimize the coverage function; and

determine an optimal deployment of the parts at each location according to the optimized coverage function.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further configured to calculate a replenishment lead-time for each part at each location.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with a demand history, the demand history describes parts required at each location.

22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with a repair history, the repair history describes the capability of each location to repair a part.

23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the accessed data comprises data associated with one or more paths used to transfer parts between locations.

24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the accessed data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

a cost of transporting parts along one or more paths;

a cost of purchasing one or more parts;

a cost of storing one or more parts at each location as a percentage of the purchase cost for the one or more parts; and

a cost associated with ordering one or more parts.