System, method and apparatus for integrated supply chain management
First Claim
1. A method for real-time supply chain management over a network, comprising:
- by a manufacturer, communicating to a wholesaler or retailer real-time capacity and price information for a product of the manufacturer;
by the wholesaler or retailer, adjusting purchasing preferences of the wholesaler or retailer based on the real-time capacity and price information communicated by the manufacturer;
by the wholesaler or retailer, communicating adjusted purchase information corresponding to the adjusted purchasing preferences of the wholesaler or retailer to the manufacturer;
by the manufacturer, adjusting at least one of a capacity and a price of the product based on
1) the capacity and price information for the product of the manufacturer most recently communicated by the manufacturer, and
2) the purchase information of the wholesaler or retailer most recently communicated to the manufacturer; and
by the manufacturer and by the wholesaler or retailer, repeating as necessary said communicating and said adjusting in a real-time collaborative communication to achieve an efficient balance between the capacity and price of the manufacturer and the purchase information of the wholesaler or retailer.
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Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for integrated data communication between supply chain partners, such as factories, wholesalers, retailers and retail customers, transportation companies, etc. More specifically, a business community integration tool for providing to supply chain trading partners integrated, real-time access to such critical data as supply/inventory, demand, delivery status, etc., thereby improving operations and increasing Internet capabilities of trading partners by streamlining their inefficiencies and breaking down information barriers between them. The invention may be especially useful in retail supply chains associated with retail products including hard goods, soft goods, home furnishings, appliances, office products, apparel and footwear, grocery products and others. Integrated information may include remotely accessible corporate information, electronic product catalog contents, order and inventory status, etc.
328 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for real-time supply chain management over a network, comprising:
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by a manufacturer, communicating to a wholesaler or retailer real-time capacity and price information for a product of the manufacturer;
by the wholesaler or retailer, adjusting purchasing preferences of the wholesaler or retailer based on the real-time capacity and price information communicated by the manufacturer;
by the wholesaler or retailer, communicating adjusted purchase information corresponding to the adjusted purchasing preferences of the wholesaler or retailer to the manufacturer;
by the manufacturer, adjusting at least one of a capacity and a price of the product based on
1) the capacity and price information for the product of the manufacturer most recently communicated by the manufacturer, and
2) the purchase information of the wholesaler or retailer most recently communicated to the manufacturer; and
by the manufacturer and by the wholesaler or retailer, repeating as necessary said communicating and said adjusting in a real-time collaborative communication to achieve an efficient balance between the capacity and price of the manufacturer and the purchase information of the wholesaler or retailer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for real-time collaboration between a manufacturer, a wholesaler and a retailer over a network, comprising:
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a manufacturer portion, a wholesaler portion and a retailer portion, said manufacturer portion, said wholesaler portion and said retailer portion being in communication via the network;
wherein said manufacturer portion, said wholesaler portion and said retailer portion are enabled for a real-time exchange of supply chain data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for real-time supply chain management, comprising:
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by a buyer, receiving from a seller real-time capacity and price information for a product of the seller;
by the buyer, communicating purchase information of the buyer to the seller based on the real-time capacity and price information received from the seller;
by the seller, adjusting at least one of a capacity and a price of the product based on
1) the capacity and price information for the product of the seller most recently received by the buyer, and
2) the purchase information of the buyer most recently communicated to the seller; and
repeating as necessary said receiving, said communicating and said adjusting, in a real-time collaborative communication, to achieve an efficient balance between a supply of the seller and a demand of the buyer.
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Specification