Patent ID: 8275677

Claim:
A storage medium comprising machine-readable computer program code for resolving demand and supply imbalances, the storage medium including instructions embodied thereon, which when executed by a computer cause the computer to implement a method, the method comprising: identifying at least one of excess component inventory liability and constraint in supply capability for an end product by matching current buying patterns for the end product against inventory liability and supply capability based on a previous demand forecast; reducing supply liability for the at least one of excess component inventory liability and the constraint in supply capability for an end product using a time-phased approach that begins at 100 percent liability assessment and includes a series of mitigation activities performed over time until the supply liability reaches a specified percentage level, the time-phased approach including a procurement and development assessment sub-process, a liability council assessment sub-process, a sales activities sub-process, and a liability write off sub-process, the time-phased approach implementing: where the excess component inventory liability exists: refocusing the excess component inventory liability by determining alternative end products that use components identified in the excess component inventory liability; and executing sales activities operable for enticing sales of the alternative end products; and where the constrained supply capability exists: determining alternative end products that are functionally equivalent to those identified in the constrained supply capability; and executing sales activities operable for enticing sales of functionally equivalent alternative end products; wherein the sales activities result in one of: reducing the excess component inventory liability and avoiding the constraint in supply capability.