Canonical Data Model for Supply Chain Entity Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial and medical supply chains face inefficiencies due to fragmented logistics infrastructure, leading to unreliable delivery times and high costs, with current systems requiring significant human resources and redundant information systems to manage complex coordination across multiple entities.
Innovation Solution
A canonical data model is implemented to standardize data formats and integrate systems, using location asset designators, modal asset designators, and sensor asset designators to track and manage supply chain entities, enabling real-time visibility and optimization through a centralized system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous human resources and third-party logistics management services are deployed to monitor and supervise supply chains, then coordination capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple fragmented logistics systems into a single unified supply chain view through a centralized platform. This consolidation eliminates redundant information systems and allows one organization to monitor the entire supply chain rather than requiring multiple separate monitoring systems at different levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized data platform that acts as an intermediary between various logistics partners, carriers, and suppliers. This intermediary system standardizes data formats and provides a common reference framework, enabling reliable coordination without requiring direct complex interactions between all participants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fragmented information systems are used by multiple entities, then each entity can monitor its portion of the supply chain, but real-time visibility and optimization across the entire supply chain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data standard and centralized platform that serves multiple functions: it enables entity-specific monitoring while simultaneously providing end-to-end supply chain visibility. The system can accommodate different data formats from various partners while maintaining a unified real-time view of the entire supply chain.
3Reliability
If redundant information systems are deployed across the supply chain, then each entity has its own monitoring capability, but resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple redundant information systems into a single shared platform. Instead of each entity maintaining separate monitoring systems, the centralized platform is shared across the supply chain, reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining reliable monitoring through standardized data collection and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method utilizing a canonical model for monitoring fixed entities, transit entities, and/or moveable objects include a circuit having one or more data collectors and a configuration database in communication with the circuit. The configuration database has a plurality of location asset designators (“LADs”) and modal asset designators (“MADs”), and/or sensor asset designators (“SADs”). The circuit is configured to periodically receive information from the transit entities and update the MADs, SADs, and/or LADs of the canonical model. Location information regarding the LADs, MADs, and/or SADs may be provided in a word-based format, such as what3words.