Demand Planning Consistency Function for Configurable Products
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional demand planning systems face limitations in handling complex or configurable products, particularly in maintaining consistency between product dependent and independent characteristics, and are not applicable for planning aggregates of multiple products, leading to inaccurate demand forecasting.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for demand planning that incorporates a consistency function by storing master data for characteristic value combinations, inputting transactional data, and automatically generating additional characteristic values to ensure consistency between product dependent and independent characteristics, allowing for planning across multiple products without requiring navigation of all relevant values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional enhanced consistency logic is used for demand planning, then consistency between product components can be maintained, but it cannot be used together with product independent characteristics and cannot be used for demand planning of an aggregate of more than one product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the demand planning process by introducing a consistency function that operates independently for each product characteristic. This allows the system to handle product dependent characteristics (like components) and product independent characteristics (like sales regions) separately while maintaining overall consistency across multiple products in an aggregate.
Solution Approach 2:
The consistency function is designed to be universal and applicable to both product dependent characteristics and product independent characteristics. It can be used for demand planning of single products and aggregates of multiple products, making the system versatile and adaptable to various planning scenarios.
2Reliability
If conventional enhanced consistency logic is used, then component consistency can be achieved, but it requires working on one product at a time which is not feasible for manufacturers dealing with large numbers of products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the demand planning capability across multiple products by introducing an aggregate dimension. The consistency function operates on aggregates of products, allowing manufacturers to plan demand for large numbers of products simultaneously rather than one at a time, significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an aggregate dimension to the demand planning system. Instead of only planning for individual products, the system can now plan for aggregates of products while maintaining consistency. This dimensional extension allows efficient handling of large product portfolios without sacrificing component consistency.
3Productivity
If demand planning is performed for aggregates of multiple products, then productivity improves, but maintaining consistency between product dependent and independent characteristics becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a consistency function as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between product dependent characteristics and product independent characteristics in aggregate demand planning. This function automatically ensures that changes in one characteristic are reflected consistently across all related characteristics, simplifying the maintenance of consistency even when planning for multiple products.
Solution Approach 2:
The consistency function operates as a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors and adjusts the relationships between different product characteristics in aggregate planning. When changes are made to demand plans, the function provides feedback to ensure consistency is maintained across all products and characteristics, reducing the complexity of manual consistency management.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for planning demand of products, such as configurable products. In one embodiment, a method is provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain. In another embodiment, a demand planner is provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain. The method may comprise the steps of: storing master data defining a set of characteristic value combinations relating to the product dependent characteristics of each product; inputting transactional data defining a demand plan with respect to a product or component; specifying at least one product dependent characteristic of one or more products for which an additional characteristic value is to be assigned; automatically generating the additional characteristic value identifying the specified characteristics; and storing the additional characteristic value to the characteristic value combinations in the master data.