Patent Publication Number: US-2003229526-A1

Title: Computer-implemented system and method for assessing supply chain solutions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/370,025 filed on Apr. 4, 2002. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention is directed generally to a computer-implemented system and method for assessing supply chain service solutions and, more particularly, to an interactive tool that can be used by a component parts supplier to simultaneously assess the risk to the supplier and value to its customers in proceeding with supply chain service solutions for such customers.  
       [0003] Manufacturers of products, particularly, for example, electronic products such as computers and the like, utilize many component parts during the manufacturing process. Such component parts may be obtained from various sources including a manufacturer of such component parts or a distributor. Distributors purchase or have access to component parts from various parts manufacturers and warehouse such parts directly or indirectly. At any given time, thousands of different parts must be made available to manufacturers, and the distributor must keep up to date with respect to obsolete parts, dropped parts, replacement parts and added parts.  
       [0004] In selecting distributors, customers typically look to more than just price. Distributors may be evaluated on the basis of the total quality of the service that they provide, of which price is merely one aspect. Distributors have developed a number of supply chain service solutions to create value for customers, including programs to help customers track and manage inventory, forecast demand, evaluate and select the most appropriate components, track component obsolescence and improvement, analyze supply chains, and discover alternative components and sources. In addition, distributors can offer customers a variety of custom tailored financing, service, and delivery options. Distributors, where appropriate, may offer larger customers on-site staffing to support the customers&#39; procurement and inventory management processes. Distributors may offer customized packages of multiple components which simplify the customers&#39; warehousing and transportation processes. Distributors may offer customers software to help them manage inventory, or to provide customers with a constant flow of real time data including component availability and lead times, order tracking, customer specific pricing information, reports on the customers&#39; component usage trends, and product alerts. There are many other conventional ways in which a distributor may create value for customers.  
       [0005] Customers vary greatly in their size, purchase volume, demand variance, credit profile, information technology systems, inventory management and procurement methodologies, and priorities. Accordingly, the benefits, costs, and risks associated with providing value added supply chain services vary from customer to customer. For example, while it may be a good idea for a distributor to provide a large customer having complex ordering needs on-site support staff, the associated cost of the service may make it a poor decision to offer to another customer who has simpler ordering needs.  
       [0006] Accordingly, the better able a distributor is in tailoring its services to the specific needs of its customers, the more successful it will be at retaining existing customers and attracting new ones. Distributors who are equipped to make informed decisions on which services to offer to their customers are better able to offer their customers value, while at the same time minimizing costs and exposure to risk.  
       [0007] The present invention provides a new tool for suppliers, particularly of electronic component parts, to provide customers with value added services in the form of tailored supply chain service solutions based on a simultaneous assessment of the value to the customer associated with such solutions and the risk to the distributor in implementing such solutions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Generally speaking, the present invention provides a computer-based system and method that enables a component parts supplier to interact with a customer, obtain customer information and other customer metrics including supply chain needs and requirements, and provide proposed supply chain service solutions to the customer based on the customer information and a simultaneous evaluation of the value to the customer and the risk to the supplier in proceeding with the proposed solutions. The inventive system and method can be used by a salesperson or other representative of the supplier when interacting with the customer.  
       [0009] According to the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, information concerning the customer is obtained by presenting information requests having associated pre-defined response options and soliciting selections of the pre-defined response options. The selected pre-defined response options are then associated with supply chain service(s) pre-selected as appropriate for the pre-defined response options. The selected pre-defined response options are further associated with non-qualifying service(s) pre-selected as inappropriate for the pre-defined response options, based on application and/or customer capability and/or cost. Each one of the pre-selected supply chain services has an assigned weighted risk factor and weighted value factor. The weighted risk factor represents the risk to the supplier associated with providing the pre-selected supply chain service; and the weighted value factor represents value to the customer associated with receiving the pre-selected supply chain service. Based on the weighted risk and weighted value factors assigned to each one of the pre-selected supply chain services corresponding to the selected response options, an overall indication of risk to the supplier and an overall indication of value to the customer is calculated. These overall indications of risk and value are then simultaneously correlated, and based on such correlation, appropriate pre-selected supply chain services are presented for possible implementation.  
       [0010] Additionally, the information concerning the customer including the selected pre-defined response options can be displayed for verification prior to associating the selected pre-defined response options with appropriate pre-selected supply chain services. Also, directions for implementing the appropriate pre-selected supply chain services can be generated; and the overall risk and value can be graphically displayed.  
       [0011] The system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides means for effecting the foregoing method steps.  
       [0012] According to additional embodiments, the foregoing method and system of the present invention are implemented in an Internet web browser environment.  
       [0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-implemented system and method for assessing supply chain service solutions for customers.  
       [0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for assessing supply chain solutions which provide an indication of both the value to a customer in implementing proposed supply chain solutions and the relative risk to the supplier in implementing the solutions.  
       [0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a software based tool that can be used by sales representatives of a supplier of component parts in evaluating available value added supply chain services for customers.  
       [0016] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.  
       [0017] The present invention accordingly comprises the various steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the system embodies features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0018] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0019]FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting a process for determining and assessing supply chain solutions according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting a process for creating a supply chain services assessment tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 3 depicts a representative computer interface used to input customer information according to a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention;  
     [0022] FIGS.  4 - 10  depict representative database files associated with information requests presented via the computer interface depicted in FIG. 3 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 11 depicts a representative report of supply chain service solutions and a risk/value correlation generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention; and  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a system constructed and arranged in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0025] As described in detail hereinafter, the present invention is directed to a computer-based system and process which enables a salesperson or other representative of a component supplier to evaluate a customer&#39;s needs and requirements, preferably regarding a supply chain of component parts, and to obtain and assess service solutions that address the customer&#39;s needs and requirements for proposal to the customer if appropriate based on the risk to the supplier of implementing the solutions in view of the value to the customer. Supply chain service solutions can include various combinations of physical, informational, technical, financial and other services provided by the supplier to the customer that provide value to the customer through increases in efficiencies in various areas of supply chain management and logistics. However, a range of risk exists wherein it is possible that the supplier will not be able to recover the costs associated with providing such service solutions.  
     [0026] Supply chain service solutions also include a range of complexity from simple buffer inventory stocking solutions to complex inventory and staffing solutions on-site at the customer that include integration of several services managing thousands of customer part numbers. The system and method according to the present invention desirably categorize supply chain services into separate classifications including financing, physical value added services, materials management services (simple and complex), and services without parts (e.g., business needs analysis).  
     [0027] The system and method according to the present invention can be implemented using a related combination of automated interfaces and manual processes. It should be appreciated, however, that greater use of automated processing and a wider range of features with multiple executions are also contemplated by the present invention.  
     [0028] Referring now to the drawings where like reference numerals indicate like elements, FIG. 12 depicts a simplified schematic illustration of a preferred system, shown generally at  220 , including the component elements and means necessary to effect and control the various process steps according to the present invention as described hereinafter. Desirably, and where appropriate, system  220  utilizes existing computer capabilities, both hardware and software, and electronic communications links, for example, to receive and process in real time information concerning a customer and to present appropriate proposed supply chain service solutions together with and based on an associated risk versus value assessment as described in greater detail hereinafter.  
     [0029] System  220  preferably includes a computer server  222  having electronic access to a database  224  containing files or tables  226 . Server  222  can be electronically coupled to a global computer network  228  such as, for example, the Internet. Server  222  is capable of communication with at least one user interface  230 , which can include conventional computer input, output and display devices. User interface  230  is preferably a remote computer interface capable of connection to server  222  via network  228 . It should be understood that system  220  may be implemented by other known methods of computer networking and that the use and arrangement of component devices is not restricted to that which is described herein and depicted in the accompanying drawings.  
     [0030] Server  222  preferably operates under control of computer software  232  to carry out the inventive process steps described in greater detail hereinafter. Because the process according to the present invention is desirably effected in real time over the Internet, the system software preferably includes XML, XSL, HTML, VML and JavaScript capability to prepare and present information in an Internet web browser format. More particularly, the system software preferably includes a graphical user interface component—an HTML document which contains a collection of elements that permits a system user to enter data, make selections, and view and print results. This collection of elements can include data stored in XML data islands and JavaScript arrays. Data stored in XML data islands can be used in the various features of the graphical user interface that are populated with data (for example, select options, results, etc.) and, as described in greater detail hereinafter, preferably include a list of customer attributes with supply chain services appropriate for those attributes, and supply chain service solutions based on the attributes. This data can be rendered in HTML using XSL transformations and style sheets. The data stored in JavaScript arrays can be structured to support the complex logic of the risk/value assessments and recommendations to the customer described in greater detail hereinafter. JavaScript functions are preferably created to process user input, allow navigation of the user interface and to manipulate the data. The complex logic of the risk/value analysis as described in greater detail hereinafter can be implemented with JavaScript functions. VML charts are preferably created to represent results graphically, and HTML pages are preferably created to render the results in an Internet web browser.  
     [0031] System software  232  enables the input of customer attributes and specified supply chain needs and requirements in response to a set of information requests and associated pre-defined response options presented by system  220  of the present invention. As described in greater detail hereinafter, database  224  can be used to map the information requests and selected response options to proposed supply chain service solutions and provide associated value (to the customer) factors and risk (to the supplier) factors.  
     [0032] It will be appreciated that the inventive system and method permits the supplier representative to make proposals to the customer concerning supply chain services while advising the customer of the value presented by such proposals. Additionally, the system indicates to the supplier representative the potential risks to the supplier&#39;s business associated with the supply chain service proposals.  
     [0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred process according to the present invention is shown whereby a sales or other representative of a component supplier can obtain and use data concerning a customer and its supply chain needs and requirements to obtain a simultaneous assessment of the value to the customer and the risk to the supplier of implementing a proposed supply chain service solution. In a first step  10 , the supplier representative inputs data identifying the customer whose supply chain needs and requirements are to be assessed. Information concerning the customer&#39;s business, needs and requirements is then solicited (step  12 ). Preferably, this is accomplished via a user interface screen which is arranged and constructed to capture customer information by text entry and/or through the solicitation of responses to various information requests and associated pre-defined response options concerning customer attributes which can be presented for selection, for example, via drop-down menus (see FIG. 3), as described in greater detail hereinafter.  
     [0034] It should be understood that while the information requests are preferably supplied over a telecommunications medium (e.g., over a global computer network such as the Internet), they can also be supplied, for example, via stand-alone computer software (e.g., contained on media such as a CD-ROM or floppy disk and then stored on a hard disk). The information requests can therefore be accessed on a computer connected to a network which can be the Internet or a local or wide area dedicated or private network or on a stand-alone computer. It should also be appreciated that the process of obtaining customer attributes and other information can occur at an online location such as, for example, the customer&#39;s office or the supplier&#39;s office.  
     [0035] Entries and responses/selections to the information requests can be displayed desirably in summary form so that, in a step  14  of the process according to the present invention, the entries and responses/selections can be reviewed, verified, and then entered for processing by system  220 .  
     [0036] Processing, which occurs at a step  16 , involves mapping or otherwise associating the information request response options selected to appropriate supply chain service solutions and the associated value and risk factors as described in greater detail hereinafter.  
     [0037] After processing (step  16 ), results are preferably presented in summary form (summary of selections  212 , FIG. 11) for review and evaluation by the supplier representative (step  18 ). The results include the supply chain service elements of the proposed customer solutions based on the customer attributes (determined in step  16 ) and an associated risk versus value correlation for use by the supplier representative in evaluating the value to the customer and the risk to the supplier&#39;s business regarding the proposed supply chain solutions, as described in greater detail hereinafter.  
     [0038] Thereafter, based on the risk versus value correlation, directional steps for proceeding are provided for consideration by the supplier representative (step  20 ), and the proposed supply chain service solutions can be presented to the customer (step  24 ), particularly if the risk level associated with implementing such steps is acceptable to the supplier in view of the value that can be created for the customer (decision  22 ). In the event the responses/selections to the information requests and other entries produce a risk versus value correlation where the risk to the supplier is unacceptable given the value to the customer (decision  22 ), alternative risk reduction scenarios can be considered (step  23 ) and processed based on appropriate new entries and responses/selections to the information requests (i.e., revisiting step  12 ) to yield a different risk versus value correlation (e.g., certain performance needs and goals may not be selected, and/or additional infrastructure and practices may be added). The appropriate alternative risk reduction scenarios are desirably reviewed with the customer. Supply chain service solutions based on alternative scenarios can be presented to the customer if appropriate (step  24 ).  
     [0039] The results including the details of any proposed supply chain service solutions can be stored and/or printed for ready reference.  
     [0040] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 of the drawings which depicts a flowchart illustrating the process of creating a supply chain services assessment tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a first step  30 , database  224  is preferably populated with (i) pre-defined response options concerning customer attributes designed to elicit customer information that can facilitate the formulation of associated supply chain service solution proposals for such customer (FIG. 3), (ii) supply chain service solutions associated with such options and customer responses thereto (Programs A-T in the representative database tables depicted in FIGS.  4 - 10 , representing various combinations of physical, informational, technical, financial and other services provided by the supplier to the customer), (iii) value factors associated with such options and customer responses thereto representative of the value to the customer in implementing supply chain service solutions (FIGS.  4 - 10 ) and (iv) risk factors associated with such options and customer responses thereto identifying risk to the supplier in implementing such solutions (FIGS.  4 - 10 ).  
     [0041] The potential supply chain service solutions (Programs A-T) desirably represent customized and tested solutions that can be implemented to satisfy customer supply chain needs and requirements. The solutions are preferably tailored to the risk and value factors which are associated with each of the information requests (FIG. 3) and possible responses thereto.  
     [0042] Possible solutions can include tools for reviewing customer material processes and objectives and best-in-class benchmarking to improve internal processes; planning systems that utilize a customer&#39;s forecasts to automate and drive the fulfillment process by comparing customer demand to the supplier&#39;s inventory levels and automating and integrating supplier and customer systems to ensure inventory pipeline vitality; tools that provide immediate access to supply chain information to identify and take immediate action if problems arise; tools that provide access to customer-specific research and ordering information; and providing analysis and other value added supply chain services that optimize and streamline supply chain management.  
     [0043] The risk and value factors can be based primarily on the quantitative and qualitative experience of the supplier in providing supply chain solutions for its customers. That is, a risk factor (preferably, a weighted numeric value) is assigned to each supply chain service based on the supplier&#39;s quantitative and qualitative historical relative risk experience regarding the service compared to other services offered by the supplier (e.g., credit and payment history, number of standard versus non-standard component parts sold); and a value factor (preferably, a weighted numeric value) is assigned to each supply chain service based on the supplier&#39;s quantitative and qualitative historical relative value experience regarding the service compared to other services offered by the supplier (e.g., activity-based costing analysis). Weighted value factors can be decimals between 0.1 and 0.9 with higher value supply chain services relative to other services given a higher weight and lower value supply chain services given a lower weight to produce a greater responsiveness when computing a weighted mean value. Weighted risk factors can be decimals between 0.1 and 0.9 with higher risk supply chain services relative to other services given a higher weight and lower risk supply chain services given a lower weight to produce a greater responsiveness when calculating a weighted mean risk. By weighing value and risk factors as decimals between 0.1 and 0.9, a weighted mean greater than 0 and less than 1 can be obtained, producing a fixed scale result.  
     [0044] The correlation of risk and value in accordance with the system and method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (which correlation is preferably effected simultaneously) depends on the nature of the predefined information requests and the customer&#39;s responsive selections. For example, referring to FIG. 3, for the information request relating to the size and market position of the customer, numerous factors go into assessing the risk and value factors. For value, the supplier is more likely to offer value to extra small customers that are not market leaders because such customers are traditionally less sophisticated on supply chain management issues and are less likely to have infrastructure in place to efficiently handle supply chain solutions and management. In such cases, the supplier, already having sophistication and infrastructure in this area, will likely provide a high level of value. For extra large customers, the supplier is likely to provide less value since such customers can be expected to have a high level of sophistication in procurement matters and well developed supply chain infrastructure.  
     [0045] Similarly, risk to the supplier can be based on the size of the customer. For example, small customers are more likely to pose less of a risk to the supplier because of their reliance on the supplier&#39;s sophistication and infrastructure; empirically, small customers tend to be more loyal to suppliers. On the other hand, large customers tend to diversify, outsource or otherwise change their supply chain solutions and relationships thereby increasing the risk to the supplier that may have invested in infrastructure to support the customers.  
     [0046] Referring again to FIG. 2, after database  224  is populated (step  30 ), database information is preferably output into an XML data island and JavaScript array (step  32 ). Data in the XML data island preferably include the pre-defined customer attributes with supply chain services appropriate for such attributes, non-qualifying services that are not appropriate for such attributes because of application and/or customer capability and/or cost, and supply chain service solutions based on combinations of such attributes. Data in the JavaScript array preferably support the risk and value factors, possible supply chain services and directional steps for proceeding with proposed supply chain service solutions.  
     [0047] In a step  34 , XSL transformations and style sheets are preferably created to render the data from database  224  as HTML pages. In a step  36 , HTML forms are preferably created to collect user input. Thereafter, in a step  38 , JavaScript functions are preferably created to process user input, navigate the user interface (FIG. 3) and allow manipulation of the data, including to implement the complex logic of the simultaneous risk/value assessment. In a step  40 , VML charts are preferably created to represent results (e.g., risk/value results) graphically. In a step  42 , an HTML page is preferably created to render results (e.g., risk/value results) in a web browser.  
     [0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which shows an example user interface, generally indicated at  50 , used to present information requests and capture responses thereto in accordance with the system and method of the present invention. Desirably, information requests can elicit response through various pre-defined response options available for selection from, for example, a window, drop-down menu or the like.  
     [0049] A request for information concerning a customer, for example, can be directed to the size and market position of the customer and can be presented for selection via a drop-down menu  52 . As shown in database table  70  of FIG. 4, response options  72  for a request regarding customer size can range, for example, between an extra small customer as an emerging market leader to an extra large customer as a non-market leader. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, each selectable response option  72  is preferably mapped in database table  70  to a weighted value factor  74 , a weighted risk factor  76 , a potential solution  78 , and any non-qualifying solutions  80 . These factors can be utilized in determining supply chain solutions that balance value to the customer against risk to the supplier. The value factors, risk factors, potential solutions and non-qualifying solutions presented are preferably based on the experience of the supplier.  
     [0050] Referring again to FIG. 3, in addition to the size and market position of a customer, information request response options concerning customer product complexity and mix can be presented using a drop-down menu  54 , for example. Referring to database table  90  in FIG. 5, selectable response options indicated at  92  can be provided ranging, for example, from a low part count/low volume/low mix selection to a high part count/high volume/high mix selection. Each selected response option preferably is mapped to or associated with a weighted value factor  94 , a weighted risk factor  96 , a potential solution  98 , and any non-qualifying solutions  99 .  
     [0051] Referring back to FIG. 3, an information request to identify supply chain needs and goals and associated response options, i.e., one or more (e.g., three) operational needs and one or more (e.g., three) strategic goals identified as such, can be presented via a window  56 , for example. While in the example depicted in FIG. 3, six operational needs (i.e., inventory reduction, improved flexibility, continuity of supply, labor force reduction, product life cycle risk management, and productivity improvement) and seven strategic goals (i.e., lowest total cost of ownership, improved working capital management, time to market leadership, growth scalability, enterprise risk management, redirection of business model, and world class practices) are presented for selection, it should be understood that any suitable number of needs and goals can be presented. As depicted in database table  100  of FIG. 6, each operational need and each strategic goal  102  is preferably mapped to or associated with a weighted value factor  104 , a weighted risk factor  106 , a potential solution  108 , and any non-qualifying solutions  110 .  
     [0052] Referring back to FIG. 3, an information request and associated response options relating to the infrastructure and practices of the customer can be presented for selection via a window  58 , for example. While in the example depicted in FIG. 3, eleven items (i.e., purchase direct, purchase distribution, purchase blended, decentralized purchasing, outsourced component programming, outsourced electromechanical assembly, outsourced circuit card assembly, outsourced logistics, outsourced engineering, push-work order material release and demand pull material release are presented for selection and the user is asked to select up to three items, it should be understood that any suitable number of items can be presented and requested to be selected. As depicted in database table  120  of FIG. 7, each of the items  122  are preferably mapped to or associated with a weighted value factor  124 , a weighted risk factor  126 , a potential solution  128 , and any non-qualifying solutions  130 .  
     [0053] Referring again to FIG. 3, an information request relating to the customer&#39;s supply chain related technologies and associated response options can be presented for selection via a window  60 , for example. While in the example depicted in FIG. 3 eight proposed supply chain related technologies (ranging from a manual planning system, manufacturing resource planning systems, and enterprise resource planning systems to web-based information systems) are presented for selection, and the user is asked to select up to three technologies, it should be appreciated that any suitable number of technologies can be presented and requested to be selected. As shown in database table  140  of FIG. 8, each of the technologies presented for selection  142  is preferably mapped to or associated with a weighted value factor  144 , a weighted risk factor  146 , a potential solution  148 , and any non-qualifying solutions  150 .  
     [0054] Referring back to FIG. 3, an information request and associated response options concerning the responsiveness and flexibility (either actual or desired) of the customer can be presented for selection via a drop-down menu  62 , for example. While in the example depicted in FIG. 3 three response options are presented for selection (see FIG. 9, database table  160 ), and the user is asked to select one, it should be appreciated that any suitable number of options can be presented and requested to be selected. As shown in database table  160  of FIG. 9, response options  162  presented for selection can include, for example, (1) a high flexibility with a less than 48 hour turn around, (2) a medium flexibility with a 48 hour to one week turnaround and (3) a low flexibility with a greater than one week turnaround. Each response option  162  is preferably mapped to or associated with a weighted value factor  164 , a weighted risk factor  166 , a potential solution  168  and any non-qualifying solutions  170 .  
     [0055] Referring again to FIG. 3, an information request and associated response options concerning demand variability can be presented for selection via a drop-down menu  64 , for example. While in the example depicted in FIG. 3 three response options are presented for selection (see FIG. 10, database table  180 ), and the user is asked to select one, it should be appreciated that any suitable number of options can be presented and requested to be selected. As shown in database table  180  of FIG. 10, response options  182  presented for selection can include, for example, (1) a high demand variability—forecast accuracy of less than 30% with a fixed schedule less than four weeks, (2) a medium demand variability—forecast accuracy of 30-50% with a fixed schedule of from four to six weeks and (3) a low demand variability—forecast accuracy of greater than 50% with a fixed schedule greater than six weeks. Each response option  182  is preferably mapped to or associated with a weighted value factor  184 , a weighted risk factor  186 , a potential solution  188 , and any non-qualifying solutions  190 .  
     [0056] After completing responses to the information requests (FIG. 3) via interface  50 , the information provided can be processed. This involves associating the selected response options to the appropriate service solutions (and any non-qualifying solutions) and the weighted value and weighted risk factors. Preferably, all weighted value factors for selections made and qualifying services (e.g., from the XML data islands and JavaScript arrays) are computed to arrive at the sum of selections in the array and the sum divided by the total number of selections in the array to yield a weighted mean value factor; likewise, the weighted risk factors for selections made and qualifying services (e.g., from the XML data islands and JavaScript arrays) are preferably computed to arrive at the sum of selections in the array and the sum divided by the total number of selections in the array to yield a weighted mean risk factor. The results can then be used to create a simultaneous graphical representation of risk versus value (FIG. 11).  
     [0057] Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which depicts a representative example of a results display page which can be generated after completion and processing of the responses to the information requests (FIG. 3) as described. Desirably, the results page includes a two-dimensional graph  200  (i.e., having x and y axes) showing risk versus value and defining shaded areas  202 ,  204  and  206  as described below. Alternatively or additionally, a bar graph  208  including a value bar  208   a  and a risk bar  208   b  can be presented. It should be understood that the foregoing can involve defining the risk and value factors in a VML program and displaying simultaneously as a section of an HTML page.  
     [0058] Shaded region  202  of graph  200  represents high value and low risk scores. As indicated in the “Risk/Value” legend or key appearing to the left of graph  200  in FIG. 11, for such a combination of scores, the supplier representative is preferably advised to proceed with framing supply chain service solutions for the customer, which can include articulating and reaching agreement with the customer on such solutions.  
     [0059] Shaded region  204  of graph  200  represents low value and low risk scores, moderate value and risk scores, or high value and high risk scores. For such combinations of scores, the supplier representative is preferably advised to consult with a supply chain solutions representative (“SCSM”) (or other supply chain specialist defined by the supplier), for further guidance and qualification before initiating supply chain service solutions for the customer.  
     [0060] Shaded region  206  of graph  200  represents low value and high risk scores. For such a combination of scores, the supplier representative is preferably advised to work with the customer to minimize risk factors before proceeding with establishing supply chain service solutions.  
     [0061] In the example depicted in FIG. 11, the value  208   a , which is shown as being moderately greater than the risk  208   b , is that presented by the possible supply chain service solutions  210  depicted (e.g., as a section of an HTML page). A summary of selections entered via interface  50  (FIG. 3) is desirably provided for ready reference at  212  (e.g., as a section of an HTML page).  
     [0062] A point  214  on graph  200  represents the risk and value scores associated with service solutions for the customer under consideration and indicates the course of action that is recommended. In the example depicted in FIG. 11, point  214  is located in the central region of graph  200 , indicating moderate risk and value scores and that the supplier representative is advised to consult a SCSM for further guidance and qualification before initiating supply chain service solutions for the customer.  
     [0063] Given the location of point  214  on graph  200  in the example depicted in FIG. 11, a set of four different possible supply chain service solutions  210  are indicated—one relating to financing, one relating to complex materials management and two others relating to services without parts. Each potential solution is listed preferably along with a link to more information about the solution and instructions for proceeding with implementation of the solution. For example, solution  216 , states that a SCSM evaluation is required before solution “Program D” can be implemented.  
     [0064] In accordance with the present invention, a computer-based tool for assessing supply chain service solutions is provided which allows a supplier representative to interact with the customer, obtain customer information in the form of responses to pre-selected information request options and to provide proposed supply chain service solutions to the customer based on the customer information and responses and a simultaneous evaluation of the value to the customer and the risk to the supplier in proceeding with the proposed solutions.  
     [0065] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes can be made in carrying out the above method and in the constructions set forth for the system without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
     [0066] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.