Patent ID: 8195533
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising the steps of: retrieving a defect history associated with a vendor and at least one product from an inbound shipment from a memory, the at least one product to be stocked in a materials handling facility, the defect history being associated with a specified time period; extracting at least one inventory defect from the defect history in a computer system; calculating an inventory defect rate in the computer system for the specified time period, wherein the inventory defect rate is associated with the vendor and the remedial measures are imposed on the vendor; imposing at least one remedial measure on the vendor if the inventory defect rate exceeds a specified threshold of the inventory defect rate, wherein the at least one remedial measure includes reducing a size of a subsequent specified time period associated with the vendor and generating a warning message including information describing the at least one inventory defect, the information including an inventory defect type, a date, and a vendor identifier associated with the vendor; and imposing additional remedial measures on a vendor if the vendor does not correct the at least one inventory defect, the additional remedial measures comprising at least one of: ceasing acceptance at the materials handling facility of inbound shipments from the vendor, restricting quantity of products ordered from the vendor, and restricting inbound shipments from the vendor to a particular materials handling facility.