Patent ID: 7890390
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: G06Q,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of managing component preferredness for components that are used in products comprising the steps of: providing on a computer technology roadmaps identifying components available for particular technologies; assigning preferredness values for said components on said computer, said preferredness values indicating a rating of whether each of said components is acceptable for incorporation into a design of a product; identifying from said technology roadmaps a roadmap for a selected technology; retrieving part numbers of components specific to said selected technology; identifying and filtering out from the process those retrieved part numbers that do not require a check so that only those part numbers that require a check remain; periodically reviewing in a current time period said identified roadmap and determining for the remaining part numbers whether said assigned preferredness values accurately reflect current conditions in said time period and current estimates for future conditions, and if not, further making changes in said preferredness values based upon said determination to reflect said current conditions; changing software on said computer, including algorithms, as required to implement said changes in said preferredness values; and releasing from said computer updated software for production use by procurement and design personnel.