Abstract:
Method, system, and storage medium for facilitating supplier auditing functions in a communications network environment. The method includes receiving a request from a user system associated with an enterprise system to initiate an activity. The activity includes scheduling an audit for performing an initial or ongoing qualification of a supplier enterprise. The method also includes retrieving data from at least one database by the enterprise system. The data corresponds to the activity selected. The method further includes transmitting the data to the user system. The enterprise system includes a quality information network application for executing activity options.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a computer-based method and system for supply chain management, and more particularly, this invention relates to a method and system for gathering and disseminating quality performance and audit activity data in an extended environment. 
     With the advent of the Internet and related technologies, complex networking systems have evolved that enable distant trading partners operating disparate computer systems to interact with one another. The Internet provides a ubiquitous message routing architecture that supports reliable inter-business connectivity around the world, based on common communication protocols and common standards for system interoperability. Further, the Internet and related intranet and extranet technologies offer a relatively low cost of entry, making them practical for use by large and small businesses alike. Web-based security issues have been minimized through the use of intranets that connect a business&#39; internal processes to the applications and data they need and extranets that connect external processes to the applications and data they need. Firewalls or security devices are added to protect against unauthorized access to the internal network and to isolate unauthorized Internet access from the extranet. With this new technology in place, existing trading barriers between trading partners can be removed, allowing for a synchronized flow of information. 
     A recent trend in electronics manufacturing involves contracting out some or all of the manufacturing of a company&#39;s products to third party manufacturers which then build these products according to specification. This arrangement, known as outsourcing, results where the original manufacturer (called an Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM) buys assemblies in bulk from third-party contract manufacturers and then customizes them for a particular application. It then markets and sells the customized equipment under its own name. By outsourcing the manufacturing and assembly of these goods, established OEMs are able to focus on other business areas such as new product development and customer relationship management. Additionally, as product designs and components are becoming increasingly complex and frequently updated, a contract manufacturer with specialized skills may be better equipped to accommodate the changing technology. By outsourcing to meet peak demands, an OEM may be able to avoid having to build new facilities and/or hire new people. 
     An OEM who is outsourcing the manufacturing of its products needs to be able to collaborate with its contract manufacturers and suppliers before, during, and after the manufacturing cycle in order to achieve maximum efficiency of the production process. One area of collaboration is supplier auditing and reporting. Technology shifts are causing new technical suppliers to rise in an ever increasing worldwide space. With this rise in suppliers, comes the need for new quality control measures including auditing processes. Before integrating a supplier technology into an OEM&#39;s product, a supplier is often subjected to a rigorous audit to ensure that correct technical processes are followed and to ensure technical capability. Supplier audit management must be able to handle the audit process where the OEM has offices located around the world and buys from suppliers equally spread out. Traditional methods of qualifying suppliers and performing auditing procedures often result in redundant or unnecessary audits where inefficient, incomplete, or outdated records provide incorrect information. This is compounded by the fact that multiple procurement divisions of an OEM may not always know what other divisions are doing due to inadequate communications, employee turnover, and/or geographic separation. Further, old auditing methods that involved tracking down a particular auditor who possessed the requisite skills necessary to perform the audit was tedious and time consuming and often involved scheduling the auditor to travel excessive distances to the audit sites. Finally, old audit methods provided inconsistent results where audit reports took on different formats depending upon the division requesting the audit, resulting in non-standardized audit reports and unsatisfactory results. The present invention seeks to eliminate or reduce the above inefficiencies by providing a centralized storage system and process for creating, editing and storing auditing schedules, reports, and reference materials via a collaborative, web-enabled workgroup application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based method and system for supply chain management, and more particularly, this invention relates to a method and system for gathering and disseminating quality performance and audit activity in an extended environment. The system includes a manufacturing enterprise system comprising a host system operating a web server, an applications server, and a database manager; a data storage device in communication with the host system, and at least one terminal for accessing the host system. The manufacturing enterprise system runs on a network that is coupled to the Internet and is accessible to an outside enterprise or trading partner identified with having proper access permissions. The applications server executes a set of programs for managing the manufacturing enterprise system, including the quality information network application of the present invention. Audit scheduling information, reference inquiries, and reporting data are inputted into the manufacturing enterprise system via the quality information network application where analysis, editing, and other functions are performed on the inputs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a portion of the system that includes a plurality of workstations and servers on which the quality information network application is implemented; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary main menu screen for the quality information network application; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary audit schedule menu and product category submenu screen for the quality information network application; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary audit schedule form screen for the quality information network application; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing the quality information network audit process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The quality information network application is a collaborative tool used to facilitate the supplier auditing and reporting processes in an extended enterprise environment. It provides a centralized storage system in which audit schedules, reports and miscellaneous documents can be created and viewed in a collaborative manner by various users inside and outside of an organization on a tiered-access basis. It allows outsiders of the organization to submit comments and view a limited portion of information in the quality information network databases via a secure network connection. System administrators for the organization establish and maintain the access permissions and set parameters for users of the quality information network tool in keeping with the objectives of the organization. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the quality information application is implemented through a networked system such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . Although not necessary to realize the advantages of the present invention, system  100  may be part of a wide area network in which different geographical locations are interconnected, either by high-speed data lines or by radio links, interconnecting hundreds of workstations at widely disparate locations. In the simplified diagram of  FIG. 1 , system  100  includes an organization  102  comprising a web server  104 , an applications server  106 , and a database server  108  that are located on a host system  110  and connected through a network  112  to workstations  114 . The term “organization” refers to the system implementing the quality information network application. Network  112  may comprise a LAN, a WAN, or other network configuration known in the art. Further, network  112  may include wireless connections, radio-based communications, telephony-based communications, and other network-based communications. For purposes of illustration, however, network  112  is a LAN. A firewall  130  limits access to organization  102  to those users outside of organization  102  who possess proper access permissions. Firewall  130  may comprise a gateway router, proxy server or a combination of similar hardware/software devices readily known by those skilled in the art. 
     Host system  110  is running suitable web server software designed to accommodate various forms of communications and which allows information in data storage device  118  to be published on a web site. For purposes of illustration, host system  110  is running Lotus Domino (TM) as its server software. Applications server  106  executes the quality information network tool, among other applications utilized by organization  102 . Applications server  106  is also running a groupware application such as Lotus Notes (TM) which allows remote users to access information through its replication capabilities, provides e-mail services, and supports a secure extranet architecture. 
     Data storage device  118  resides within intranet  112  and may comprise any form of mass storage device configured to read and write database type data maintained in a file store (e.g., a magnetic disk data storage device). Data storage device  118  is logically addressable as a consolidated data source across a distributed environment such as network system  100 . The implementation of local and wide-area database management systems to achieve the functionality of data storage device  118  will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Information stored in data storage device  118  is retrieved and manipulated via database server  108 . 
     Data storage device  118  provides a repository for databases including a reference database  122 , an audit schedule database  124 , an audit reports database  126 , a supplier qualiy performance database  128 , an executive summary reports database  129 , and any other information desired by organization  102  for use by the quality information network tool. These features are further described herein. 
     System  150  comprises a web server  152  that connects workstations  154  to an intranet  156  and to the Internet. Firewall  158  provides security and protection against unauthorized access to internal network information from outside sources. Each of workstations  154  may access web server  152  via internal web browsers (not shown) located on workstations  154 . A data storage device  160  is coupled to server  152 . Selected data fields and data from audit reports database  126  are replicated to database  120  and are accessible to system  150  via extranet  140 . System  150  is typically an existing supplier or trading partner of organization  102 . The terms ‘supplier’ or ‘contract manufacturer’ and ‘trading partner’ are used interchangeably throughout this description. Remote workstation  170  is coupled to organization  102  via a web browser (not shown) and modem (not shown) for communicating with organization  102 . 
     A variety of user types may utilize the quality information network tool. These user types help define the nature and extent of access to data provided by organization  102 . For purposes of illustration, four user types are described herein; however, an organization implementing the quality information network tool may define its own user types. 
     Divisional Users. Divisional users are typically engineers and developers of organization  102 . Divisions of organization  102  are classified or sorted according to the product being manufactured. For example, one division may be dedicated to manufacturing/assembling personal computers. A second division might be responsible for the production of mainframe computers. A third division might involve storage devices. Divisional users may create, update, and transfer documents in data storage device  118  to other authorized users, but are limited to modifying only those documents relating to their division. A divisional user may be a requester of an audit. 
     Suppliers/Contract Manufacturers. These users are external to the organization but have a need to access certain information contained in data storage device  118 . These users are restricted to viewing through the Internet or extranet  140  a limited segment of information in data storage device  118  to ensure the overall confidentiality of the documents contained therein. Trading partners at system  150  can input comments or attachments through data fields replicated from database  126  and submit them via extranet  140  to the data storage device  118 . 
     Executive Readers. These users are typically high level executives of organization  102  with ‘view only’ access to executive summary database  129 . Access is restricted to general information and executive summary data relating to audit reports and documents and is used for informational purposes. 
     Administrators. Administrators of organization  102  determine the access requirements for internal and external users of the quality information tool and maintain access control lists. They also provide user support as necessary. Administrators may further be categorized by division. 
     Access control lists store the names of authorized users of the databases stored in data storage device  118  and each user is assigned an access level by an administrator of organization  102 . Only administrators can add, modify or delete authorized users in the access control list. 
     A user accesses the quality information network application via a main menu screen as shown in  FIG. 2 . The options available to the user on main menu screen  200  include “Quality Specifications and References”  202 , “Audit Schedules”  204 , “Audit Reports”  206 , “Quality Audit and Reliability Training Schedule”  208 , “Supplier Quality Performance”  210 , and “Executive Summary Reports”  212 . These options are further described herein. 
     By selecting “Audit Schedules”  204 , a user can perform a variety of tasks such as viewing, editing or creating an audit schedule. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a user who desires to view an audit schedule may do so by selecting “All Audits”  302 , “Completed”  304 , or “Planned”  306 , whereby the quality information network tool retrieves the selected schedules for viewing. A user can further tailor the search for schedules to view all audit schedules broken down by: supplier  308 , region  310 , quarter by region by commodity  312 , year by quarter  314 , product category  316 , purpose  318 , requester  320 , auditor  322 , organization  324 , and site owner  326 . For example, a user selects “All Audits”  302  by product category  316  and is presented with a list of commodities as illustrated in submenu  350  of  FIG. 3 . The user then selects a commodity from submenu  350  and is presented with all audit schedules for that chosen commodity (not shown). 
     To create a new audit schedule, the user selects a commodity from the list on submenu  350 , and the schedule form  400  of  FIG. 4  is presented to the user. The user enters required data into the fields presented such as supplier name and address (not shown), date or quarter planned  402 , requester information  404 , auditor selected to perform the audit  406 , purpose for the audit  408 , and any additional comments  410  as necessary. The quality information tool provides drop down items for selected data fields to allow for convenient, standardized entries as shown generally in form  400 . 
     Results from completed audits may be viewed by divisional users of organization  102  by selecting “Audit Reports”  206  from main menu  200  of  FIG. 2 . Audit reports provide detailed information concerning the subject audit from the auditor  406  assigned and listed on schedule form  400 . These reports are condensed in summary form by the quality information network tool and stored in executive summary database  129  for easy access and viewing by managing executives of organization  102 . In this manner, all desired levels of management are able to keep apprised of audit-related activities and supplier performance. Having this information enables management to make instant business decisions. 
     Specific audit data is extracted from these audit reports and stored in supplier quality performance database  128  by the quality information network tool for rating purposes. Supplier quality performance database  128  contains performance indicators for audited suppliers measured by business rules adopted by organization  102  in order to compare and rate various suppliers. This information allows organization  102  to spot performance trends among suppliers audited such as areas of strength or weakness, specific technology capabilities, as well as other performance factors. It also creates a historical view of all audits performed so that organization  102  can quickly determine when or whether a supplier should be scheduled for an audit. 
     Reference database  122  contains technical information such as audit specifications, industry quality standards, as well as standardized reporting forms for selection by an auditor of organization  102 . A divisional user of organization  102 , such as an auditor, may need to know what the minimum industrial standards are for a certain product or component in order to verify whether a supplier is in conformance with those standards. An auditor may also want to access reference database  122  to ensure that the quality information sought via the scheduled audit is in conformance with organization&#39;s  102  audit specifications. Also included in reference database  122  is an updatable training section for auditing divisional users who want to improve their auditing skills. This section provides a list of auditing classes, seminars, and job resources available to interested parties of organization  102 . In this manner, the auditing branch of organization  102  is kept apprised of new government regulations concerning industry standards, as well as auditing techniques and procedures. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a sample process flow for the quality information network tool describing how a divisional user of organization  102  who is considering scheduling an audit proceeds via the tool. A requester at one of workstations  114  or remote workstation  170  logs on to the quality information network tool at step  502 . The main menu screen  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2  appears at step  504 . In order to assess whether an audit is necessary for a given supplier, the requester first selects the supplier quality performance option  210  of  FIG. 2  at step  506 . The quality information tool retrieves selected information pertaining to that supplier from supplier quality performance database  128  and delivers it to the user. The user then reviews the supplier record which contains a history of audits and reporting documents pertaining to that supplier at step  508 . From this information, the requester assesses whether an audit is required. For example, organization  102  has a policy to audit a particular class of suppliers on a semi-annual basis before renewing contracts for work. The supplier record stored in database  128  reveals that an audit has not been performed for ten months. In this case, the requester would need to schedule an audit. If the requester determines that an audit is not required, the process ends at step  510 . Otherwise, flow proceeds to step  512  where the requester selects “Audit Schedules”  204  from main menu  200 . The data required as illustrated in  FIG. 4  is entered at step  514 . The requester can select who this information will be distributed to at step  516  or the quality information tool may automatically designate a distribution list according to business rules defined by organization  102 . The requester selects an auditor to perform the audit at step  518 . This can be accomplished via a drop down tool as illustrated generally in  FIG. 4  in auditor field  406 . The quality information network provides a list of auditors which may be categorized by specialty, skills, and/or geographic location. The tool may also be configured to pre-qualify an auditor for the requester based upon information provided such as audit site location, commodity, etc. Further, the quality information network tool automatically generates an e-mail to the auditor selected with selected information and requesting confirmation of the audit at step  520 . If the auditor responds negatively, flow reverts back to step  518  whereby the requester must select another auditor. Once positive confirmation is received, the audit schedule is stored in audit schedules database  124  awaiting execution. Once the audit is completed, the auditor records the information via the quality information tool and attaches the results to the audit schedule at step  522 . The quality information network tool generates an audit report, stores the report in the audit reports database  126 , and automatically sends an e-mail at step  524  to the distribution list described above. The quality information network tool creates a summarized version of the report at step  526  and stores it in the executive summary database  129 . A supplier quality performance report is generated by the tool at step  528  and stored in the supplier quality performance database  128 . The results can be sent electronically to the supplier or subject of the audit at system  150  and the supplier may respond accordingly at step  530 . The response may include comments or corrective actions planned or taken by the supplier. The process then ends at step  532 . 
     The quality information network tool is a comprehensive, centralized, electronic repository for supplier audit data for use by development, procurement and manufacturing organizations to manage the supplier audit process. It is a workgroup collaboration tool that allows for the sharing of technical supplier audit data that is both internal to the organization across multiple divisions and locations, and directly with the supplier being audited. Benefits include streamlined communication with suppliers and the elimination of redundant activities. The quality information network tool provides a worldwide tool for gathering and communicating objective information about supplier quality performance and audit activity. Addition communication features include automatic e-mails to customizable distribution lists when audit records are created and completed, as well as supplier access to audit data. 
     As described above, the present invention can be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. 
     While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.