Patent ID: 7386358
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for providing an optimal allocation of available to promise components in a supply chain having a demand entity and a plurality of supply entities forming multiple supplier tiers, the method comprising steps of: generating an aggregate demand request including priority information and requested delivery date information for components to be supplied to the demand entity by one or more of the plurality of supply entities; propagating the demand request throughout the supply chain via a network, so that a plurality of supply entity intelligent agents each associated with one of the plurality of supply entities is informed of the demand request for components supplied by that supply chain entity; generating and communicating to a process controller an evaluation of available to promise supply capability from each of the plurality of supply entity intelligent agents; and generating an allocation of available to promise components which is optimal from the perspective of the demand entity, wherein the step of generating an allocation of the available to promise components further includes a step of generating a sequence of demand problems, each demand problem being evaluated end to end through the supply chain, resulting in a series of squared set solutions.