Automated Parallelization of Back-Order Processing Availability Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing back-order processing (BOP) applications in supply chain management suffer from long processing times due to the need to process high numbers of order lines, leading to inefficiencies in availability checks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and system that facilitates automated parallelization of availability checks through a profile-based process comprising filter, sort, prepare, check, and update stages, with the ability to electronically build and execute processing packages for order items, optimizing the BOP process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional sequential processing is used for availability checks, then processing completeness is maintained, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the availability check process into distinct sequential phases (filtering, sorting, preparing, checking, updating) and applies parallelization within each phase. This segmentation allows independent processing of order items while maintaining overall process coherence, directly reducing processing time without compromising completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-threaded sequential processing to multi-threaded parallel processing, adding a temporal dimension to the processing architecture. By executing multiple availability checks simultaneously across different threads, the system maintains processing completeness while significantly reducing total processing time.
2Productivity
If parallel processing is implemented, then processing speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the processing logic into distinct phases with well-defined entry and exit points, the patent reduces the complexity of parallel implementation. Each phase can be independently optimized and executed by different threads, making the overall system more manageable despite the parallel architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions such as filtering and sorting order items before the actual availability checking phase. This preparation work can be done sequentially or in parallel, and by organizing data structure beforehand, the complex parallel checking process becomes more straightforward and easier to implement.
3Quantity of substance
If high numbers of order lines are processed, then processing completeness is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large volume of order lines into manageable batches that can be processed in parallel. By dividing the total order lines into multiple smaller groups that can be handled simultaneously by different threads, the system maintains processing completeness while reducing total processing time through parallel execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a parallel processing dimension to handle large quantities of order lines. Instead of processing order lines one by one sequentially, the system executes multiple availability checks simultaneously across different threads, effectively handling high volumes of data without linear increase in processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media provide mechanisms to determine the availability of one or more order items within a supply chain environment. In one embodiment, the method may comprise defining a profile to be associated with an availability check, wherein the availability check consists of a filter process, a sort process, a prepare process, a check process, and an update process, electronically building one or more processing packages for the one or more order items based on the defined profile, and executing the availability check using the profile and one or more processing packages.