Method for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers comprising:
- soliciting bids from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots;
storing bid information from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots in a database; and
upon completion of bidding for the plurality of lots;
determining using a computer a first optimal solution that includes an initial family of lot-supplier assignments; and
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if the first optimal solution has the lowest cost value;
performing multiple iterations of the following steps;
decreasing the number of suppliers in the family to form a reduced family;
determining a revised cost value for the reduced family; and
generating a second solution having the decreased number of suppliers; and
if the first optimal solution has the highest cost value;
performing multiple iterations of the following steps;
increasing the number of suppliers in the family to form an increased family;
determining a revised cost value for the increased family; and
generating a second solution having the increased number of suppliers.
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Abstract
A method for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers, including soliciting bids from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots, receiving at least one bid from a supplier for each lot, storing the bids from each supplier in a database, and generating at least a first and second optimal solution from the bids in the database, the first optimal solution having a different number of suppliers than the second optimal solution.
88 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers comprising:
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soliciting bids from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots; storing bid information from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots in a database; and upon completion of bidding for the plurality of lots; determining using a computer a first optimal solution that includes an initial family of lot-supplier assignments; and
;if the first optimal solution has the lowest cost value; performing multiple iterations of the following steps; decreasing the number of suppliers in the family to form a reduced family; determining a revised cost value for the reduced family; and generating a second solution having the decreased number of suppliers; and if the first optimal solution has the highest cost value; performing multiple iterations of the following steps; increasing the number of suppliers in the family to form an increased family; determining a revised cost value for the increased family; and generating a second solution having the increased number of suppliers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers comprising:
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a database for receiving and storing bid information from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots; and a processor in communication with the database and configured to, upon completion of bidding for the plurality of lots; determine a first optimal solution that includes an initial family of lot-supplier assignments; and
;if the first optimal solution has the lowest cost value; perform multiple iterations of the following steps; decreasing the number of suppliers in the family to form a reduced family; determining a revised cost value for the reduced family; and generate a second solution having the decreased number of suppliers;
andif the first optimal solution has the highest cost value; perform multiple iterations of the following steps; increasing the number of suppliers in the family to form an increased family; determining a revised cost value for the increased family; and generate a second solution having the increased number of suppliers. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A computer program product for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:
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receiving and storing bid information from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots; upon completion of bidding for the plurality of lots; determining a first optimal solution that includes an initial family of lot-supplier assignments and; if the first optimal solution has the lowest cost value; performing multiple iterations of the following steps; decreasing the number of suppliers in the family to form a reduced family; determining a revised cost value for the reduced family; and generating a second solution having the decreased number of suppliers; and if the first optimal solution has the highest cost value; performing multiple iterations of the following steps; increasing the number of suppliers in the family to form an increased family; determining a revised cost value for the increased family; and generating a second solution having the increased number of suppliers - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification