Abstract:
A computer based method for communicating problems with parts shipments to a customer includes detecting a problem with the shipment, creating a trouble report with a notification to the customer, approving the trouble report with notification to the supplier, entering a proposed solution by the supplier with notification to the customer, and approval or disapproval of the solution by the customer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The method of this invention is a method for generating and communicating trouble reports regarding shipments of parts from a parts supplier to a purchaser. More specifically, the instant method is directed to a computer based method for directly communicating to the parts supplier problems with shipments of parts.  
           [0003]    In a parts distribution system, where parts, such as auto parts, are shipped from a supplier to a purchaser to be warehoused for distribution to dealers, often the parts are shipped to a parts packaging center before being shipped to a hub of the purchaser or directly to the parts warehouses of the purchaser. In such a situation, parts, which are manufactured by the supplier, are shipped to the packaging center for packaging. It is also possible that parts may be shipped directly to a hub or to parts warehouses of the purchaser. For example, in the auto industry, parts are often produced and shipped without being packaged. Oil filters, for example, are shipped to the packaging center in bulk and the packaging center then puts each oil filter into an individual box. Then the individual boxes are shipped in crates or individually to the purchaser. The purchaser may have one or a plurality of warehouses in which to stock the parts before selling them to dealers. Often the purchaser has a centralized hub which receives shipments from the supplier or packaging center and then reships the parts to individual warehouses.  
           [0004]    Thus, in the chain of parts distribution described above, the shipments from the supplier are first received by the packaging center and inspected at that time. If there are any problems with the shipment, such as a deficiency in the number of parts actually shipped, the packaging center will detect this problem and usually notify the purchaser. In the past, such a problem would be communicated to the purchaser in many different ways. For example, this information may have been communicated by facsimile, or other commonly known communication means. With such communications taking place between the supplier, the packaging center, and the purchaser, much paper was generated.  
           [0005]    Furthermore, not only did the purchaser, and eventually the supplier, need to be notified, but there had to be some mechanism or system for correcting the root problem that led up to the problem noted with the shipment in the first place. There would be communications between the purchaser and the supplier as to how to solve these problems. Thus, more paper was generated. For example if the packaging center receives a shipment of 47 oil filters, when the order was for 50 oil filters, the packaging center would send out a notification to the purchaser of the deficiency. The purchaser and the supplier would then communicate back and forth regarding how to deal with the deficiency and then how to solve the root problem that caused the deficiency, such as an insufficiently trained packing worker at the supplier&#39;s shipping location. The process described above not only generates a great deal of paper, but also is very time consuming.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The method in accordance with the instant invention is intended to solve the problems described above, as well as many other problems associated with the chain of parts distribution from the supplier to the purchaser. It is advantageous to employ a shared database in order to provide a computer based method to provide for efficient and secure communication between the supplier and the purchaser. This is particularly true when a purchaser is dealing with a large number of suppliers. With a shared database, both the supplier and the purchaser may access a single document and input specific information on that document in order to communicate the problem and problem solution with one another. The packaging center, either directly or through a trouble report coordinator, may access the same database.  
           [0007]    The ability to access the same document (shared document) on the shared database and to share information by adding information to that same document enables the supplier and the purchaser to quickly and efficiently exchange information. This is all accomplished in a substantially paperless environment. Furthermore, when one of the parties (supplier or purchaser or packaging center (directly or through a trouble report coordinator)) modifies the shared document, a note (preferably an E-mail note) is automatically sent to the concerned party who is thus notified that new information is in the shared document that should be read. Accordingly, such a shared document on the shared database is then easily accessed by the necessary party.  
           [0008]    While many types of databases may be used for the shared document, it is preferable that the shared document be stored on an internet accessible web site so that it is easily accessible by any of the concerned parties. For example, it is preferable that the shared document, such as a trouble report be stored on a secure web site of the purchaser. While it is possible to store the shared document at another location, the web site of the purchaser is preferred. If the shared document is stored on the web site of the purchaser, it allows the purchaser to have maximum control over it. Of course, it is important for there to be sufficient security on the web site itself. Because it is on the web site it is easy for all of the parties to access it. A security feature, such as a security code would be preferred in order to access the web site and the shared document. Accordingly, the parties may communicate important information with one another regarding the problems of parts shipments and solutions to such problems quickly and efficiently in a secure environment.  
           [0009]    In accordance with the instant method, a computer based method for communicating problems when parts are shipped from a supplier to a packaging center and then ultimately to a purchaser, includes  
           [0010]    detecting a problem in an order received at a packaging center from a supplier;  
           [0011]    sending information regarding the problem to a trouble report coordinator;  
           [0012]    creating a trouble report, by the trouble report coordinator, on a shared data base to which said supplier, said trouble report coordinator and said purchaser share access;  
           [0013]    upon the creation of the trouble report, automatically sending a note to a designated supply specialist of the purchaser that a trouble report has been created;  
           [0014]    accessing the trouble report in the shared data base by the supply specialist;  
           [0015]    indicating approval or disapproval of the trouble report on the trouble report itself on the shared data base, by the supply specialist;  
           [0016]    upon approval of the trouble report by the supply specialist, automatically sending a note to the supplier that a trouble report has been created that relates to the supplier;  
           [0017]    accessing the approved trouble report in the shared data base by the supplier;  
           [0018]    entering a proposed solution on the trouble report in the shared data base by the supplier;  
           [0019]    upon entering a proposed solution on the trouble report, automatically sending a note to the supply specialist indicating that a proposed solution has been entered into the trouble report;  
           [0020]    accessing the trouble report with the proposed solution, by the supply specialist, on the shared database;  
           [0021]    approving or disapproving the solution proposed by the supplier in the trouble report; and  
           [0022]    notifying the supplier if the proposed solution in the trouble report has been disapproved.  
           [0023]    Further, the instant method may include activating an alarm condition, or adding the supplier to a past due list on the data base, if the supplier does not enter a proposed solution within a predetermined period of time from the sending of a note to the supplier that a trouble report had been created. Additionally, the instant method may include extending the predetermined period of time upon a request from a supplier and an approval by the purchaser.  
           [0024]    The instant method also enables the packaging center to create the trouble report directly by accessing the secure web site and creating a trouble report directly. Additionally, any of the parties may attach an image to the shared document (trouble report) in order to assist the other parties in understanding the problem. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall arrangement of connections for providing communications between the supplier, the packaging center and the purchaser;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of communications between the supplier, the packaging center, and the purchaser;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an alternate flow of communications between the supplier, the packaging center, and the purchaser;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is also a flow chart illustrating an alternate path of communications after the item A in FIGS. 2, 3 and  5 ; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an alternate flow of communications, involving a parts warehouse. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 illustrates an overall arrangement of connections for providing communications between the supplier, the packaging center (also a parts warehouse) and the purchaser in accordance with the instant method. For example, in the context of the automotive industry, a parts supplier  10  will ship auto parts to a purchaser  30  (such as an automobile manufacturer) in order for the auto parts to be warehoused for eventual sale to auto dealers. Often, such auto parts are not shipped directly to the purchaser  30 , but instead are first shipped to a packaging center  20 , in which the parts are packaged before being shipped to the purchaser  30 . Since, often the supplier simply ships its products in bulk, they must be packaged before being shipped on to the purchaser. It is then common for the packaging center to ship the parts directly to warehouses of the purchaser or to a centralized hub of the purchaser for eventual distribution to warehouses of the purchaser. It is natural, since the parts shipments are sent to the packaging center first, that the packaging center conduct the first inspection of the parts shipped. Accordingly, the packaging center will first note that there is a problem with the shipment, such as too few parts, too many parts, etc. This information will then be forwarded to the purchaser and eventually to the supplier for resolution. Also, sometimes parts are shipped directly to a parts warehouse, eliminating the packaging center.  
         [0031]    In FIG. 1, supplier  10  is linked to data base  12  by way of internet link  14 . It is possible to connect with data base  12  by other ways, such as by modem or direct connection, but the internet is the easiest way to connect. Likewise, packaging center  20  may be linked to the data base  12  by way of internet link  16 . There may or may not be another link between packaging center  20  and the data base  12 , such as a trouble report coordinator  15 , illustrated in broken lines. Data base  12  is part of the purchaser&#39;s own data base, in which case the purchaser  30  may access data base  12  directly without using an external link. Furthermore, a parts warehouse  18  (owned by the purchaser) will also be directly connected to the purchaser&#39;s data base.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of communications between the supplier, the packaging center and the purchaser. Step  40  shows that the parts shipped from the supplier are received at the packaging center. Step  42  is a decision block in which it is determined whether or not there is a problem with the order (or shipment). In other words, were too few or too many parts or pieces delivered? Were some damaged in shipping? If there is no problem with the shipment, then the parts are packaged and shipped on to the purchaser, as indicated at step  44 .  
         [0033]    If there is a problem with the shipment, then step  46  indicates that information regarding the problem is sent to a trouble report coordinator. The trouble report coordinator may be located on the premises of the packaging center or may be located elsewhere, such as at one of the purchaser&#39;s locations. If the trouble report coordinator is located at the location of the packaging center, then a trouble report may be created directly (as at step  47  in FIG. 3). On the other hand, if the trouble report coordinator is found at a different location from the packaging center, personnel at the packaging center that detected the problem in the order or shipment must them communicate with the trouble report coordinator. Often this is accomplished by fax, E-mail or any other sort of conventional communication.  
         [0034]    Once the trouble report coordinator has knowledge of the problem, he or she then creates a trouble report on the data base as at step  48 . Upon accessing the data base, either directly, by internet connection or by other conventional means, a trouble report may be created on the data base. For example, it may be created on a program such as Lotus Notes®. Once the trouble report has been created, an E-mail note is automatically sent to the purchaser (step  50 ) to indicate to the purchaser that the trouble report has been created for a specific part and supplier.  
         [0035]    Step  52  indicates that a supply specialist at the purchaser accesses the trouble report on the data base. Upon review of the trouble report, the supply specialist approves or disapproves the trouble report and so indicates on the document in the data base (Step  54 ). If the trouble report is not approved, then a notification, such as an E-mail, is sent back to originator. If the supply specialist approves the trouble report, it is so indicated on the trouble report, and an E-mail note will be sent to the supplier (Step  56 ). The E-mail note indicates to the supplier that a trouble report has been created and should be reviewed by the supplier.  
         [0036]    Step  58  indicates that the supplier accesses the approved trouble report on the data base. The supplier will find out from the trouble report what the problem was with the order. There is a predetermined amount of time for the supplier to respond to the trouble report. This predetermined period of time for response will be discussed below in greater detail with regard to FIG. 4. Upon investigation by the supplier, the supplier will hopefully gain an understanding of the problem and accordingly devise a solution of how to fix the problem. In step  62  the supplier enters a proposed solution in the trouble report in the data base. Optionally, an image may be attached to the trouble report with the proposed solution. The supplier will typically set forth the problem as he recognizes it, including a deeper root problem if there is one. The supplier will also indicate what he believes is a short term solution and a long term solution. It should be noted that reference numeral  60  refers to item A in the flow chart of FIG. 2. Item A indicates a location, at which an alternate flow or path of communications may take place, as further discussed below with regard to FIG. 4.  
         [0037]    Upon the entering of a proposed solution by the supplier at step  62 , an automatic E-mail is then sent to the supply specialist at step  64 . This E-mail notifies the supply specialist that the supplier has entered a proposed solution and that it is available for review by the supply specialist. At step  66 , the supply specialist accesses the trouble report in the data base. The supply specialist can now substantively review the proposed solution on the trouble report and approve or disapprove the proposed solution. At step  68 , the supplier is then notified that the proposed solution has been disapproved. If disapproved, the supplier may revise his solution and submit it again. If approved, there is approval and, thus, there is no need to notify the supplier.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an alternate flow of communications between the supplier, the packaging center and the purchaser. While similar to FIG. 2, step  47  of FIG. 3 replaces steps  46  and  48  of FIG. 2. In step  47 , the trouble report coordinator, or someone of similar nature, is on site at the packaging center and creates the trouble report directly without requiring an additional step of sending information, about a problem with an order, from the packaging center to an outside trouble report coordinator. Otherwise, the remainder of the communications flow is similar, and similar steps are indicated by similar step numbers.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is also a flow chart illustrating an alternate path of communications after item A (reference numeral  60 ) in FIGS. 2 and 3. From item A in FIG. 2 or  3 , the alternate flow of communications in FIG. 4 replaces the flow of communications following item A in both FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, after step  58  in FIG. 2 or  3 , in which the supplier accesses the approved trouble report on the data base, the procedure then would go to step  74 . Step  74  determines whether or not the supplier has entered a proposed solution into the trouble report within a predetermined period of time from the first notification that a trouble report had been created. Such a predetermined period of time might be 4 or 5 days, or even a week. However, any appropriate time period could be used. If the supplier does not enter a solution within the predetermined period, step  76  adds that supplier to a list of past due suppliers in the data base, which may be Lotus Notes®.  
         [0040]    If the supplier enters the solution within the predetermined period of time, Then as with the flow of communications in FIGS. 2, 3 and  5 , an automatic E-mail note is sent to the purchaser at step  78  indicating that the proposed solution is entered into the trouble report. Accordingly, steps  80  and  82  indicate that the supply specialist accesses the trouble report with the proposed solution, and notifies the supplier that the proposed solution has been disapproved. If approved, there is no special notification given to the supplier and he proceeds with his implementation of the solution.  
         [0041]    If, before the supplier enters the proposed solution, he determines that he needs additional time (more than the predetermined period of time) in which to provide a solution to the order problem, he may request an extension of time on the trouble report. On the trouble report, the supplier may request an extension of time to enter his proposed solution as at step  70 . The supplier may also request a specific extension (or extended period) and may also indicate the reason for the request for the extended period. Step  72  indicates if there is approval by the purchaser of the request for extended period for providing a proposed solution. If there is an approval, the procedure then flows to step  74  described above. Step  74  also determines whether the supplier has entered his proposed solution into the trouble report, within the extended period, if the extended period has been approved.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an alternate flow of communications involving a parts warehouse. In FIG. 5, a parts warehouse receives parts directly from a supplier. Step  40 ′ illustrates that parts are received directly from a supplier. In step  42 ′ it is determined whether or not there is a problem with the order. If there is no problem then at step  44 ′ the parts are put away in the warehouse. If there is a problem with the order, then, since the warehouse is directly connected to the data base, the warehouse directly creates a trouble report on the data base as illustrated at step  47 ′. An automatic E-mail is then sent to the supply specialist (step  50 ). The remaining steps  52 - 68  are the same as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.