System and method for specification and exchange management

#The present invention is related to the field of managing specifications for inputs into a manufacturing or selling process and the exchange of inputs.

#Packaging, materials, and product identification items (collectively, packaging) are production goods that require custom engineering and intensive graphic design, involve printing technology, and frequently are used together. Many companies purchase ail three products, and many raw material suppliers, distributors, and converters serve all three industries.

#In the packaging industry, current sourcing processes are cumbersome and lengthy. There are inadequate means of creating, maintaining, aggregating, and communicating specifications for packaging, raw materials, ingredients, finished goods, and/or other inputs (hereafter, inputs). Further difficulties arise due to a lack of common industry terminology. To compensate for incomplete and inaccurate specifications, suppliers add a safety factor to their pricing to account for manufacturing errors.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a specification system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

#Specifications are descriptions or documents that detail parameters for dimensional, aesthetic, functional, and/or performance characteristics of each component of a package, a packaging system, a product, a finished product, a raw material, an ingredient, and another input. Specifications also may detail how individual characteristics are measured, identify packaging defects, and identify causes for the defects. The specifications can include parameters, such as units of measurement, finishing attributes, materials and treatments used to manufacture the item, color specifications, coatings, printing processes, ink types used for printing, item style, and/or the final usage of the packaging.

#The management system of the present invention organizes, aggregates, and standardizes specification information and provides collaborative design tools, common defect and inspection terminology and metrics, manufacturing processes, distribution processes, and supplier management functionality for collaborative design, selling, purchasing, and other transactions. Because of the commonality of the management system, all users, both internal and external to a supplier or a buyer, can view and use the same information and metrics. Since the management system reduces or eliminates the occurrence of inaccurate or missing data, significant costs associated therewith are reduced.

#The management system of the present invention enables all users of the system to enter, modify, retire, and track specifications for packaging, materials, and/or product identification (hereafter, packaging), finished products, raw materials, ingredients, services, and/or other inputs into a product or process (hereafter inputs). The management system ensures that all users simultaneously have real-time information for specifications of packaging and for requests, proposals, orders, and transfers of packaging.