Supply Chain Communication Platform for Collaborative Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain systems face challenges in optimizing product decisions due to isolated data and individualized modeling tools, leading to disjointed decision-making between retailers and suppliers, which hampers collaborative planning and profitability.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that provides a communication platform for electronic data transfer between supply chain members, utilizing standardized models to facilitate the sharing and evaluation of product plans and forecasts, allowing for coordinated decision-making across the supply chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individualized modeling tools and isolated data are used by each supply chain member, then each member can maintain data security and control over their own information, but collaborative planning and product decision-making become disjointed and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized model as an intermediary that sits between individual member data and collaborative decision-making processes. This standardized model enables different supply chain members to exchange and analyze product plan data without directly exposing their proprietary information systems, thus maintaining data security while enabling effective collaboration through a common analytical framework
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal standardized model that can be applied across different supply chain members and product types. This universal model serves multiple functions: it standardizes data exchange formats, provides a common basis for forecast analysis, and enables collaborative planning while accommodating the diverse needs and data structures of individual supply chain participants
2Productivity
If standardized models are implemented for product decisions across supply chain members, then collaborative planning and forecast correlation improve, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming diverse, member-specific data and modeling approaches into a standardized set of parameters and metrics that can be universally compared and analyzed. This transformation process converts complex individual models into a common framework with standardized input/output parameters, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining analytical power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex standardized modeling system into manageable components that can be independently implemented and validated. By breaking down the overall standardized model into modular segments, the system reduces implementation difficulty while maintaining the benefits of standardization across the supply chain
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method involves facilitating interaction between members of a supply chain. A communication platform links to a plurality of hubs for electronic data transfer. The hubs are associated with the members of the supply chain. The method provides a standardized model for product decisions for each member of the supply chain. The method involves formulating a product plan by a first member of the supply chain. The product plan utilizes the standardized model and data available to the first member to generate a forecast under the product plan. The method transfers the product plan with shared data and forecast through a first hub associated with the first member and through the communication platform to a second hub associated with a second member of the supply chain. The communication platform controls the transfer of data so that the second member can evaluate the product plan and forecast under the standardized model.