Patent ID: 7280882

Claim:
A computer implemented method for translating forecast sales data of at least one configuration of an assembled product into a forecast schedule for replacing a subcomponent utilized in the assembled product, the method comprising: receiving forecast sales data of at least one configuration of the assembled product; receiving a usage factors of a subcomponent utilized in the at least one configuration of the assembled product wherein the configuration of the assembled product comprises a configuration of subcomponents; receiving a general availability date of a replacement subcomponent indicating the date that the replacement subcomponent is ready for assembly into the at least one configuration of the assembled product; and composing a forecast schedule for replacing the subcomponent utilized in the at least one configuration of the assembled product by applying the usage factor of the subcomponent and the general availability date of the replacement subcomponent to the forecast sales data of the at least one configuration of the assembled product, wherein the forecast schedule includes demand for the subcomponent over time and assembled product cost savings in using the replacement subcomponent.