Patent ID: 7251611

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for optimizing a supply to meet a demand, said method comprising: determining a parts demand, wherein the determined parts demand further comprises an internal and external demand; determining a machine supply, wherein said machine supply comprises in-stock machines; maintaining a database of machine supply information, wherein said machine supply information comprises: a record of different machine types in said machine supply; a number of said different machine types in said machine supply; a set of part types in each one of said different machine types; a corresponding monetary value for each part type; a number of each part type in each one of said different machine types; refurbishing cycle times for said each part type; repair costs for said each part type; and at least one of forecasted end of lease machine returns, propensities of said different machine types to yield specific parts at lease end, percentages of said different machine types which yield certain options when returned to stock at said lease end, and defined machine-to-parts de-manufacturing profit calculations; and configuring an optimal dismantling configuration to meet the said parts demand as a function of said machine supply information, wherein said configuring comprises: generating and outputting a list of said in-stock machines from said machine supply to dismantle such that a cost of meeting said parts demand is minimized; determining whether additional machines should be purchased for dismantling in order to meet said parts demand at a lower cost than dismantling said in-stock machines on said list; and generating a report of suggested additional machines to purchase for dismantling.