Computerized system and method for automated demand-based parts delivery
First Claim
1. A computerized method for automated demand-based delivery of parts to an inventory area in a warehouse comprising:
- (a) entering in a computer part identifying data for a part used in production;
(b) entering in said computer process time data comprising an amount of time to transport said parts from a storage inventory area at said warehouse to a delivery inventory area at said warehouse;
(c) entering in said computer inventory data for inventory of said part, said inventory data comprising;
(1) a number of units of said part in said delivery inventory area;
(2) a number of units of said part in said storage inventory area;
(d) entering in said computer order data for said part comprising a plurality of pick times and for each pick time, a number of units;
(e) calculating at said computer a delivery inventory deplete time by subtracting for each of said plurality of pick times;
said number of units for said pick time from said number of units in said delivery inventory area;
(f) calculating at said computer for said pick time associated with said delivery inventory deplete time a task time for transporting said parts from said storage inventory area to said delivery inventory area by subtracting said process time from said pick time;
(g) creating at said computer a task entry comprising said part identifying data, said task time, and said storage inventory area; and
(h) communicating to an associate said task entry for transporting said parts from said storage inventory area according to said task time.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized automated demand-based parts delivery management system and method is disclosed. Parts for use in a production facility are received at a warehouse and housed in storage inventory areas such as trailers parked in a yard. Data about the parts in storage inventory areas and their locations as well as an inventory of parts in the warehouse are stored in a database. A “demand pegging” operation is performed by viewing current delivery inventory levels within the warehouse and applying them to production demand data to determine when parts will be depleted from delivery inventory areas. The operation further identifies storage inventory areas that have the needed parts. Process times for transporting parts between locations are considered in determining task times for transporting parts from storage inventory areas to delivery inventory areas so parts are replenished in advance of the deplete time determined by the demand pegging operation.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computerized method for automated demand-based delivery of parts to an inventory area in a warehouse comprising:
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(a) entering in a computer part identifying data for a part used in production; (b) entering in said computer process time data comprising an amount of time to transport said parts from a storage inventory area at said warehouse to a delivery inventory area at said warehouse; (c) entering in said computer inventory data for inventory of said part, said inventory data comprising; (1) a number of units of said part in said delivery inventory area; (2) a number of units of said part in said storage inventory area; (d) entering in said computer order data for said part comprising a plurality of pick times and for each pick time, a number of units; (e) calculating at said computer a delivery inventory deplete time by subtracting for each of said plurality of pick times; said number of units for said pick time from said number of units in said delivery inventory area; (f) calculating at said computer for said pick time associated with said delivery inventory deplete time a task time for transporting said parts from said storage inventory area to said delivery inventory area by subtracting said process time from said pick time; (g) creating at said computer a task entry comprising said part identifying data, said task time, and said storage inventory area; and (h) communicating to an associate said task entry for transporting said parts from said storage inventory area according to said task time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computerized system for demand-based delivery of parts to an inventory area in a warehouse comprising:
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(a) at least one database for storing; (1) part identifying data for a part used in production; (2) process time data comprising an amount of time to transport said parts from a storage inventory area at said warehouse to a delivery inventory area at said warehouse; (3) inventory data for inventory of said part, said inventory data comprising; (i) a number of units of said part in said delivery inventory area; (ii) a number of units of said part in said storage inventory area; (4) order data for said part comprising a plurality of pick times and for each pick time, a number of units; (b) a computer that accesses said at least one database and executes a process to; (1) calculate at said computer a delivery inventory deplete time by subtracting for each of said plurality of pick times; said number of units for said pick time from said number of units in said delivery inventory area; (2) calculate at said computer for said pick time associated with said delivery inventory deplete time a task time for transporting said parts from said storage inventory area to said delivery inventory area by subtracting said process time from said pick time; (3) enter in said at least one database at said computer a task entry comprising said part identifying data, said task time, and said storage inventory area; and (4) communicate to an associate said task entry for transporting said parts from said storage inventory area according to said task time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computerized method for demand-based delivery of parts from a trailer storage inventory area at a warehouse comprising:
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(a) entering in a computer part identifying data for a part used in production; (b) entering in said computer process time data comprising an amount of time to transport said parts from said trailer storage inventory area to a delivery inventory area; (c) entering in said computer inventory data for inventory of said part, said inventory data comprising; (1) a number of units of said part in said delivery inventory area; (2) a number of units of said part in said trailer storage inventory area; (d) entering in said computer order data for said part comprising a plurality of pick times and for each pick time, a number of units; (e) calculating at said computer a delivery inventory deplete time by subtracting for each of said plurality of pick times; said number of units for said sick time from said number of units in said delivery inventory area; (f) calculating at said computer for said pick time associated with said delivery inventory deplete time a task time for transporting said parts from said trailer storage inventory area to said delivery inventory area by subtracting said process time from said pick time; (g) creating at said computer a task entry comprising said part identifying data, said task time, and said trailer storage inventory area; (h) communicating to an associate said task entry for transporting said parts from said trailer storage inventory area according to said task time; and (i) updating said computer inventory data with a number of units of said part in said delivery inventory area after said parts are transported from said trailer storage inventory area to said delivery inventory area. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification