Method and apparatus for automatic replenishment of goods to customer locations
OwnerZachariah Stockwell, Bryce Shaur-hwa Yanginventors
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Abstract
A method and system for distributing factory finished goods to customer locations in a volume-based fair share mode prioritizes requests for parts from inventory, and also prioritizes customer locations that have needs for these parts. A shipment plan is formed by iteratively: assigning a defined minimum size allotment of the parts to the location assigned the current highest priority, and re-assigning the priorities of the locations. This is done until all of the requested parts from inventory have been assigned or no location needs more of the parts assigned.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for distributing parts to customer locations in a volume-based fair share mode, comprising the steps:
- prioritizing requests for parts from inventory;
- prioritizing locations that have need for the parts;
- and
- forming a shipment plan by iteratively:
- assigning a defined minimum size allotment of the parts to the location having the current highest priority;
- and re-assigning the priorities of the locations;
- until all of the parts from inventory have been assigned or no location needs more of the parts assigned.
A computer readable medium bearing programming instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to determine distribution of parts from inventory to customer locations in a volume-based fair share mode according to the steps:
- prioritizing requests for a part from inventory by the customer locations based on the part, a priority need for the part, and inventory available to ship;
- prioritizing the customer locations that have a need for the part;
- and
- forming a shipment plan by iteratively:
- assigning a defined minimum size allotment of the parts to the customer location having a current highest priority;
- and
- re-assigning the priorities of the customer locations.
A system for determining distribution of goods to customer locations, comprising:
- a processor that receives requests for parts to be delivered to customer locations;
- and
- means for forming a shipment plan of the goods to the customer locations on a volume-based fair share basis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.