Patent ID: 8311906

Claim:
A computerized method for managing parts shortages for parts delivered to production line locations comprising: (a) entering in a computer part identifying data for a part used in production; (b) entering in said computer inventory data for inventory of said part, said inventory data comprising: (1) units of said part in delivery inventory areas; and (2) units of said part in storage inventory areas; (c) entering in said computer demand data for said part comprising a plurality of pick times and for each pick time, a number of units; (d) calculating at said computer a delivery inventory deplete time by subtracting for each of said plurality of pick times: said number of units for said pick time from said number of units in a delivery inventory area; (e) determining at said computer whether inventory in said storage inventory areas is available to meet demand for said part at said delivery inventory deplete time; and (f) associating said part at said computer with one of a plurality of part shortage types according to whether inventory in said storage inventory areas is available to meet demand for said part at said delivery inventory deplete time.