Patent ID: 7870012
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: discovering, by a computer system, internal and external data related to a plurality of components to be procured by an enterprise, wherein the internal data originates from one or more data sources internal to the enterprise, and wherein the external data originates from one or more data sources external to the enterprise; storing, by the computer system, the discovered internal and external data in a data mart; analyzing, by the computer system, the internal and external data using a first analysis module to determine criticality ratings for the plurality of components, wherein the criticality rating for a component indicates the strategic importance of the component to operations of the enterprise, and wherein the analyzing performed using the first analysis module is based on a first set of user-defined parameters that qualify the internal or external data; analyzing, by the computer system, the internal and external data using a second analysis module to forecast prices for the plurality of components set by suppliers external to the enterprise, wherein the analyzing performed using the second analysis module is based on a second set of user-defined parameters that qualify the internal or external data; analyzing, by the computer system, the internal and external data using a third analysis module to determine optimal inventory levels for the plurality of components, wherein the analyzing performed using the third analysis module is based on a third set of user-defined parameters that qualify the internal or external data; analyzing, by the computer system, the internal and external data using a fourth analysis module to identify components in the plurality of components that are shortage risks, wherein the analyzing performed using the fourth analysis module is based on a fourth set of user-defined parameters that qualify the internal or external data; collecting and integrating the analyzed data from the first, second, third and fourth analysis modules through a plurality of algorithms that optimize the analyzed data based on the first, second, third and fourth set of user-defined parameters; recommending by the computer system, one or more proposed actions to take with respect to procurement of the plurality of components based on the collecting and integrating performed; and providing, by the computer system, one or more computer-initiated options for fully or partially executing an action in the one or more proposed actions.