US Patent:
20020095307, Jul 18, 2002
Inventors:
Christopher Greamo - Washington DC, US
Michael Hooks - Germantown MD, US
David Weber - Olney MD, US
Robert Mitchell - North Potomac MD, US
Assignee:
Manugistics, Inc. - Rockville MD
International Classification:
G06F017/60
Abstract:
The present invention provides a system and method whereby a user having the proper permissions to access a supply chain may check the availability of an item within the supply chain network. There are three different types of availability that can be checked: (1) current inventory availability, (2) available to promise inventory (projected+current inventory), and (3) capable to promise inventory (current inventory+projected inventory+capacity for manufacturing, labor, materials, and transportation). Preferably, the system is accessible over a distributed network such as the Internet, thereby facilitating remote access by allowing remote customers to receive a reliable commitment of delivery. The system further allows businesses to offer improved customer support in multiple commercial channels.