Patent ID: 7752087

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for optimizing the result of an availability check of a required quantity of products, wherein a plurality of predetermined rounding algorithms are provided, the computer-implemented method comprising steps, prepared by a computer, of: determining a valid packaging specification out of a plurality of packaging specifications contained in the plurality of predetermined rounding algorithms, the packaging specifications comprising: at least one rounding rule; and a plurality of different package sizes; determining tolerance values from the determined packaging specification; evaluating as to whether the determined tolerance values are valid; determining tolerance intervals given by the determined tolerance values when the determined tolerance values are valid; checking whether the required quantity is within one of the determined tolerance intervals; rounding, according to at least one predetermined rounding algorithm implemented by the computer, the required quantity of products, wherein the rounding comprises at least a package-rounding-process and a tolerance-rounding-process, whereby the package-rounding-process comprises rounding the required quantity to a multiple of the smallest package size, wherein the required quantity of products is rounded up to the smallest package size when the required quantity is smaller than the smallest package size, and whereby the tolerance-rounding-process comprises rounding the required quantity to a predetermined package size; checking, by the computer, the availability of the rounded quantity of products; rounding down, according to the at least one predetermined rounding algorithm implemented by the computer, the available quantity of products when the available quantity of products is lower than the rounded required quantity of products; and creating a remaining requirement of products when the difference between the rounded required quantity of products and the rounded available quantity of products is larger than the smallest package size given by the packaging specification, whereby the remaining quantity is given by the difference between the required quantity of products and the rounded available quantity of products.