Supply Chain Path Solution System with Loop Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supply chain network techniques struggle to efficiently manage complex supply chains with multiple possible paths and path fragments, often requiring substantial computing power and failing to consider real-time changes and customized constraints.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that generates optimal path solutions for complex supply chains by decomposing the network, removing loops, and dynamically calculating costs, allowing for real-time responses to changing conditions and customized optimization criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated computer-based techniques are used to manage supply chain networks, then productivity and real-time response capability are improved, but device complexity and computing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supply chain network is decomposed into multiple sub-networks based on product categories, geographic regions, or functional areas. This segmentation allows the system to process complex networks by dividing them into smaller, more manageable units, reducing overall computing complexity while maintaining real-time analysis capability across the entire supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing network parameters, cost matrices, and path options before real-time decision-making is needed. This preparation reduces the computational burden during real-time operations, enabling fast responses without requiring excessive computing power at the moment of decision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple path solutions are generated for complex supply chains, then adaptability to changing conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into sub-networks that can be independently analyzed and optimized. This allows the system to generate multiple path solutions within each sub-network using standardized algorithms, then combine these solutions to create diverse overall paths. The segmentation process manages complexity by limiting the scope of path generation to smaller units while maintaining flexibility at the system level.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of generating all possible paths through the entire supply chain (excessive action), the system generates a sufficient number of optimal paths within each sub-network (partial action), then combines these partial solutions. This approach provides adequate adaptability for real-world decision-making while significantly reducing the computational complexity compared to exhaustive path generation.
3Measurement precision
If real-time cost calculations are performed, then measurement precision and optimization accuracy are improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cost parameters, transportation rates, and inventory data are pre-loaded and pre-processed into the sub-network models before real-time analysis. This preliminary preparation allows the system to perform accurate cost calculations by simply combining pre-computed values rather than calculating everything from scratch, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing calculation time.
Solution Approach 2:
Cost calculations are segmented and performed independently within each sub-network using pre-computed parameters. This modular approach allows parallel processing of cost analyses across multiple sub-networks, reducing total calculation time while maintaining the precision of individual cost calculations through standardized computational methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Input data comprises an order to provide a quantity of one or more finished goods to a site. Software is programmed for: accessing information that defines an architecture of a supply chain network comprising a plurality of sites connected by a plurality of path fragments; generating one or more path solutions to fulfill the order; removing one or more loops from the one or more path solutions; generating based on the one or more path solutions and the one or more removed loops, one or more revised path solutions; outputting the one or more revised path solutions for display on a client device; and transmitting, only to computers of the sites of a revised subset of a plurality of path fragments, a plurality of signals to initiate movement of one or more of raw materials or finished goods.