Automated Delivery Schedule Management System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In standard supply chain management, two people are typically required to handle production scheduling and customer negotiations, leading to inefficiencies, especially when new delivery schedules deviate from confirmed schedules, requiring manual intervention and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method that receives new delivery schedules from customers, determines deviations, and automatically or semi-automatically generates production resource schedules that satisfy customer requirements, with user input for tolerance checks, and communicates acceptance or modifications to the customer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual production scheduling and customer negotiation is performed, then flexibility in handling delivery schedule deviations is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to increased manual workload
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically evaluating incoming delivery schedules against confirmed schedules, determining eligibility without manual intervention, and autonomously generating production resource schedules. The system serves itself by detecting deviations, checking tolerance thresholds, and making scheduling decisions automatically, thereby improving productivity while reducing manual workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual scheduling process with an automated computer-based system. The system uses software algorithms to compare delivery schedules, determine deviations, evaluate eligibility based on tolerance thresholds, and generate production schedules automatically. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated electronic processing directly improves operational efficiency.
2Productivity
If automatic schedule generation is implemented, then productivity improves, but reliability may worsen due to reduced human judgment in scheduling decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by automatically comparing incoming delivery schedules against confirmed schedules to detect deviations. It uses tolerance threshold feedback to determine eligibility and provides feedback to users when manual intervention is needed. This feedback loop ensures that automated decisions are based on real-time data comparisons, maintaining reliability while improving scheduling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using configurable tolerance thresholds that can be adjusted based on business requirements. The system changes parameters such as deviation percentages and tolerance levels to adapt to different scheduling scenarios. This allows the automated system to maintain reliability by adjusting decision criteria to match organizational standards while preserving high scheduling throughput.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual negotiation with customers is performed, then adaptability to complex scheduling scenarios is maintained, but loss of time increases due to extended negotiation cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically evaluating delivery schedule eligibility and generating production schedules before manual negotiation is needed. It pre-determines whether deviations are within tolerance thresholds and prepares production resource allocations in advance. This preliminary automated processing reduces the time required for subsequent manual negotiations or schedule adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated scheduling system acts as an intermediary between customer delivery requirements and production resource allocation. It mediates the interaction by automatically translating customer schedule changes into production schedules, reducing the need for direct manual negotiation. This intermediary function maintains adaptability while significantly reducing the time consumed in the negotiation cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, performed on a computer of supplier, is used in managing a supply chain with multiple customers. The method includes receiving a new delivery schedule from a customer, determining a deviation between the new delivery schedule and a confirmed delivery schedule from the customer, and determining if the new delivery schedule is eligible for further consideration based on the deviation. If the new delivery schedule is eligible for further consideration, the method also includes generating a schedule of production resources and inventory that satisfies at least some requirements of the new delivery schedule, and confirming to the customer that the supplier accepts the new delivery schedule.