Patent Abstract:
A computer implemented supply chain analysis apparatus permits user to create a supply chain map for analyzing a manufacturing operation. A template forms a workspace to depict a supply chain related to a manufacturing operation. Supply chain icons are predefined to depict specified aspects and relationships of an automotive supply chain function. The stencil stores icons which are related to a manufacturing area. The icons which are related to a manufacturing area are grouped together on a stencil.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to supply chain mapping, and more particularly to a computer-implemented system for identifying opportunities and risks in supply chains. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A supply chain includes networks of suppliers, transportation carriers, fabrication sites, assembly locations, distribution centers, and customer locations by which components, services, information and products flow. The raw materials, components and services that result in end products and components occur at a variety of levels in a supply chain. The variety of levels assemble raw components into more complex components which may be processed or combined with additional components at yet other levels in the supply chain. The components are eventually brought together to manufacture end products. 
     The demand of products from the consumer drives a supply chain. The demand creates activity along the supply chain. The activity along the supply chain consists of services or processes characterized by information such as supplier name, component name, and part&#39;s manufacturing location. 
     Large automotive manufacturing organizations utilize extremely large supply chains involving multiple products or components supported by multiple levels of processes or services. Large manufacturing organizations have complex and substantially large supply chains, so that determining the flow within the supply chain is often difficult. Furthermore, these supply chains often change rapidly such that products or components have short lifetimes and new products or components are introduced frequently into the supply chain. Thus, complex supply chains having a large and dynamic structure require assessment of the entire chain to determine risks or where improvements can be made. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a computer implemented supply chain mapping system is provided. A template supplies a workspace that allows a graphic depiction of a supply chain network related to a vehicle manufacturing operation through the use of icons. Each icon pictorially indicates a supply chain function. The icons are arranged on a stencil located in the template. The stencil arranges icons according to related manufacturing interests. 
     Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s stencil; 
         FIG. 2  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s general information template; 
         FIG. 3  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s supplier process perspective template; 
         FIG. 4  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s supplier perspective template; 
         FIG. 5  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s logistics template; 
         FIG. 6  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s international template; 
         FIG. 7  is a graphical display of the present invention&#39;s icons; 
         FIG. 8  is a computer screen display of the present invention&#39;s icons with textual information; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting the operational sequence of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram showing supply chain mapping of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention&#39;s supply chain mapping is utilized in a global extended enterprise network to visualize the enterprise and identify risks and opportunities in the manufacturing process. It should be appreciated that other industries besides the automotive industry can utilize the present invention&#39;s supply chain mapping system. A supply chain of the present invention focuses on the process and involves appropriate suppliers, processes, logistics, and other automotive manufacturing factors from all tiers in the supply chain. Supply chain mapping can be used to analyze and establish an efficient and timely flow of material, services and information. The supply chain network contains elements that impact cost, quality, cycle time and technology. Supply chain mapping typically starts with the raw material supplier and ends with the final consumer. Furthermore, the supply chain verifies improvements in quality, total systems cost, cycle time, and technology advancement. 
       FIG. 1  shows a mapping stencil  10  of the present invention that arranges icons  12  into a grouping. Icons  12  are related to vehicle manufacturing factors. By way of example,  FIG. 7  illustrates icons for use in supply chain maps; however, it should be appreciated that other vehicle manufacturing factors can be represented by an icon. In the preferred embodiment, stencil  10  has icons  12  related to vehicle manufacturing areas including, Tier Three Supplier, Tier Two Supplier, Tier One Supplier, Assy/Mfg, Dealership, Customer, MOPAR Depot, Homologation Consolidation, Transportation Trailer, Transportation (TBD/other), Transportation Ocean, Transportation Rail, Border Crossing, DLC/Plant Provider, Warehouse, Terminal, Database, Process, Inspection Measurement, Packaging, Leadtime, Opportunity, Bottleneck, Supply Chain Risk, Recycle, Hazardous Material, Finished Part and Component/Sub Assy. It should be appreciated that a stencil can relate to specific areas of vehicle manufacturing and an icon represents any factor associated with this network. Stencils directed towards process flow information, transportation, environmental information and supplier information provide a user with icons that are specific to a user&#39;s interest in evaluating the supply chain. For example, a user interested in evaluating efficient process flow may need to represent such manufacturing factors as lead time and bottlenecks, but may choose not to prioritize a need to represent transportation and packaging aspects. 
     The stencil by grouping related icons facilitates the user&#39;s needs in forming a supply chain map. By using a stencil, the user interested in process flow can concentrate on creating a comprehensive supply chain map of the process flow. After a supply chain for the automotive process flow is established, the user can continue to create other views of the supply chain. For example, a stencil specifically for environmental information can help a user focusing on process flow to develop a supply chain map that includes environmental information. A variety of environmental related icons are arranged in a stencil. Such a user may not ordinarily consider or be familiar with environmental factors in developing a supply chain, however, the stencil provides the user with a base from which environmental factors represented by icons are quickly introduced to and selected by the user for integration into the supply chain. The use of such a stencil permits the user to build a supply chain that is comprehensive and considers a variety of factors. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each icon represents a factor in the supply chain such as, but not limited to, suppliers, processes and components. Each of the icons  12  arranged on the stencil  10  can be selected by the user and moved to the template workspace to create a supply chain map. Each of the icons  12  preferably has a textual representation of attributes related to the supplier, process or component represented by the icon  12 , and can be modified after placed in the workspace of the perspective template. Each icon also can be linked to an information template  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the screen accessed through a hyperlink. An exemplary information template  20  with data related to a supplier icon and includes, but is not limited to, data indicating part name, supplier, location, the date the part was introduced, cost, warranty issues, and quality issues. 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  depict a perspective template having a supply chain  70 . The supply chain interconnects a number of levels of suppliers that provide raw materials, and assemble and manufacture components that result in a finished part  66 . The Tier One Supplier  52 , Tier Two Supplier  54  and Tier Three Supplier  56  are represented by icons and identified by the level in which they function in the supply chain. A supplier that provides the end product  66  is a tier one supplier. A tier two supplier provides a component to the tier one suppliers, and a tier three supplier represents any supplier that provides components to the supply chain before tier two suppliers. Other supply or demand entities are also represented by icons, include, but are not limited to, assembler/manufacturers, dealers and customers. The supply related icons can also be arranged together on a stencil and provided for use in the perspective template. 
     Logistics operations and carrier operations, including transportation for moving sub-components between suppliers are represented in the supply chain. In the preferred embodiment, trailer, TBD/other, ocean, rail, border crossings and plant provider icons represent transportation related events, however it should be appreciated that other modes of transportation can be incorporated as icons. The logistics related icons can also be arranged on a stencil and provided for use in the perspective template. 
     Process flow information and quality control are represented in the supply chain. Icons representing processes, inspection measurements, lead times, bottlenecks and packaging are given by way of example; however, it should be appreciated that other process flow information could be represented by icons. Computer terminals and databases are also represented by icons in the supply chain. The process flow related icons can also be arranged on a stencil and provided for use in the perspective template. 
     Environmental information is represented in the supply chain map. Icons representing recycling, and hazardous materials, are given by way of example, however it should be appreciated that other environmental information could be represented. The environmental related icons can also be arranged on a stencil and provided for use in the perspective template. Opportunities and supply chain risks are represented by icons to provide an evaluation of the supply chain. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a supplier process perspective template  50  and a stencil  10 . The supplier process perspective template generally depicted at  50 , has a workspace pre-populated with icons forming a supply chain map  70 . The icons are selected to pre-populate the template based on the area of interest of the user. For example, if the user is interested in process control, the critical supply chain icon which represents factors that impact cost, quality, and cycle time regarding process control, pre-populate the template. In the preferred embodiment, the supply chain map  70  is for a finished part  66 . 
     The finished part  66  is downstream in the supply chain map  70 . Raw materials, suppliers, processes, and component that are inclusive in producing a finished part tire provided upstream relative from the finished part. Raw materials, suppliers, processes, and components flow in the supply chain from left to right. 
     With a continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the supply chain map  70  shows three tiers of suppliers tier three suppliers  56 , tier two suppliers  54  and tier one suppliers  52 . Downstream from each of the supplies are processes  58 . Inspection measurements  60  are located throughout the supply chain map  70 . 
     Each of the tier three suppliers  56  is associated with a process  58  located downstream. Tier three supplier  56 ( a ) is associated with process  58 ( a ). An inspection measurement  60 ( a ) is associated with process  58 ( a ). Process  58 ( a ) is associated with second tier supplier  58 ( c ). An opportunity  64  is associated with second tier supplier  54 ( c ) and indicates a realizable benefit in the supply chain. Resulting benefits in the supply chain are based on improvements in cost, quality, and flow efficiency. 
     Each of the suppliers  56 ( b ) is associated with a process  58 ( b ) located downstream. Each of the processes  58 ( b ) connects to a second tier supplier  54 ( e ). The components that flow from each of the third tier suppliers  58 ( b ) to second tier supplier  54 ( e ) create a bottleneck  62 . The bottleneck  62  indicates potential problems in the supply chain. 
     Each of the second tier suppliers  54 ( c ),  54 ( d ), and  54 ( e ) are associated with processes  58 ( c ),  58 ( d ), and  58 ( e ), respectively. A first tier supplier is associated with each of the processes  58 ( c ),  58 ( d ), and  58 ( e ). A process  58 ( f ) is associated with first tier supplier  52 . An inspection measurement  60  is associated with process  58 ( f ). A finished part  66  is associated with inspection measurement  60 . The finished part then moves in the supply chain map to dealer  67  and then to customers  68 . 
     As discussed above, each of the icons preferably has textual information visually displayed in the icon. In the preferred embodiment, for example, each supplier-related icon  56 ,  54  and  52 , includes textual information identifying: component name, supplier name, supplier location and part number. The textual information is preferably modifiable on the template.  FIG. 8  shows a template  180  and icons  12  where each icon includes textual information. 
     The supply process perspective template  50  provides a user interested in the process flow with a framework. The user can use the supply process perspective template and build a more complex supply chain by modifying and adding icons. The pre-populated icons of the supply process perspective template allows a user to begin with a framework that guides the user to create a supply chain in a visually evaluative and modifiable workspace. For example, the supply process perspective template includes inspection measurements that should be identified and used throughout the supply chain. Risk icons and opportunity icons should also be utilized in the supply chain map based on criteria such as, but not limited to, where an inspection measurement icon does not appear between process icons, and, therefore indicates a potential problem. The user can view the pre-populated template and understand the manner in which to map inspection measurements, risks and opportunities. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a supplier perspective template  140  that is pre-populated with icons related to a supplier perspective. The supplier perspective template  140  focuses on the suppliers and the associated components or services offered in the supply chain.  FIG. 5  illustrates a logistics perspective template  150  that is pre-populated with icons related to logistics, including transportation  152 . The logistics perspective template  150  includes transportation related icons that focus a user to map transportation before considering other areas of vehicle manufacturing.  FIG. 6  illustrates international perspective template  160  that is pre-populated with icons related to international factors, such as border crossing  162 . The international perspective template  160  allows the user to first focus on international related areas of vehicle manufacture in the supply chain. The perspective templates offer a way in which a variety of users build, evaluate, and modify a supply chain map containing comprehensive and substantially uniform information. The different perspective templates can be interrelated via a hyperlink connection. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a sequential computer screen display flow chart depicting the operational sequence for the preferred embodiment. Computer screen display  92  identifies the part  104  in the supply chain map. Computer screen display  94  identifies the components  106  in the assembly. For each component, the supplier, supplier location and part number is identified by textual information placed within the icons. Computer screen print  96  indicates the processes  108  that each part must go through before it reaches the next supplier in the supply chain map. Computer screen display  98  indicates transportation  110 , border crossings  112 . Computer screen display  100  identifies inspection measurements  114 . Computer screen display  102  identifies part storage  116 , lead time  118  and bottlenecks  119 . Information template  20  is accessed through a hyperlink of individual icons  12 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram showing supply chain mapping and analysis using a supply chain map of the present invention. Decision block  110  determines whether process mapping software is on a computer. Block  112  indicates that a process mapping software package is installed on a computer. Block  114  loads supply chain files onto the computer. Block  116  verifies or identifies supplier chain suitability. Block  118  solicits supplier buy in. Block  120  develops a plan to map and identify risks and opportunities. Block  122  generates a supply chain by using the process mapping software. The generation of the supply chain is based on the criteria of Block  121 . Block  123  connects via a hyperlink the supply chain to a database repository for storing specific supply chain icon information. Block  124  reviews a supply chain with stakeholders to find specific opportunities and risks. Block  126  generates, recommends and secures approval for changes and creates action plans. Block  128  implements changes. Block  130  measures results of supply chain mapping. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6