Autonomous Stock Management via Storage Location Database Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stock flow management systems in logistic environments are complex and difficult to maintain due to the need for global processes that manage multiple storage locations, requiring separate processes for replenishment and inventory counting, which can be cumbersome and require extensive managerial oversight.
Innovation Solution
A stock flow management system that uses storage location database objects with associated rules and thresholds to autonomously manage stock levels, allowing locations to independently determine if stock levels need to be adjusted to maintain optimal thresholds, thereby simplifying maintenance and reducing the need for global managerial oversight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a global process is used to manage stock levels at all storage locations, then comprehensive stock management is achieved, but system complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized global stock management process into independent autonomous objects at each storage location. Each location gets its own database object with embedded rules and thresholds, eliminating the need for a single complex global process. This segmentation distributes management responsibilities while maintaining comprehensive coverage across all locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage location's database object autonomously monitors its own stock levels and automatically generates replenishment requests when thresholds are breached, without requiring external global process intervention. The objects self-manage their stock levels by evaluating local rules and triggering appropriate actions independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate global processes are created for each stock management function (replenishment, counting, etc.), then specialized management is achieved, but the number of processes and managerial oversight requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous database object at each storage location serves multiple functions through a single unified structure. It handles stock level monitoring, threshold evaluation, replenishment request generation, and inventory counting all within one object instance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized processes while maintaining adaptive management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate global processes (replenishment management, inventory counting, stock monitoring) into a single integrated autonomous object at each location. The object contains merged functionality that handles all stock management tasks through coordinated internal methods, reducing the overall number of processes required.
3Measurement precision
If manual managerial oversight is used to monitor and adjust stock levels, then control accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous database object continuously monitors stock levels and automatically compares current levels against predefined thresholds. When stock levels approach thresholds, the system immediately generates replenishment requests without waiting for manual intervention. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains precise control while eliminating time delays associated with manual monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively generates replenishment requests before stock levels actually reach critical low points by monitoring against threshold values. This preliminary action allows time for replenishment planning and execution while preventing stockouts, maintaining control accuracy without requiring constant manual oversight.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier includes instructions that, when executed, perform operations that modify stock levels of a storage location in a logistic environment system. The operations include receiving information indicating a stock level change at storage location database objects that each represent a storage location for stock in a logistic environment. A storage location database object has associated with it a rule, a stock amount value specifying an amount of stock for the storage location, and a threshold that indicates a stock level to be maintained for the storage location. The operations also include determining, using the rule, if the stock level change would cause the stock amount value to cross the threshold, and if so, generating a request to modify the amount of stock at the storage location so that the stock amount value does not cross the threshold.