International Business Machines Corporation

Fraser Allan Syme

Ivory Wellman Knipfer

Steven Charles Erickson

Matthew H Zemke

Jeffrey George Komatsu

William Robert Taylor

Joseph Paul Kuczynski

Peter Joseph Heyrman

Jason S Lee

Antoine George Sater

Jessica Rose Berens

Salim Ahmed Agha

Lad W Freitag

David Joseph Gimpl

David A Larson Stanton

David John Fichtinger

A program operating to test a computer has a limit to the number of certain components that it can utilize, less than the number of those components included in the computer. A resource allocator program receives a signal to modify allocation of resources to the programs executing in the computer. The resource allocator detects that the computer is operating in a mode for testing and selects a subset of the components not allocated to the program to swap for those presently allocated. The resource allocator can receive the signal repeatedly to complete testing the computer.

Comprehensive testing of computer hardware configurations

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for reuse of cancelled products that are partially manufactured. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for reusing a partially manufactured product during a manufacturing process can be provided. The method can include reading a configuration of the partially manufactured product and reading a set of rules that match a given configuration with one of a set of defined target configurations. The method can further include executing the set of rules upon the configuration of the partially manufactured product so as to match the configuration of the partially manufactured product with a target configuration. The method can further include initiating re-configuration of the partially manufactured product to the target configuration with which it was matched and stocking in inventory the partially manufactured product that has been re-configured to the target configuration.

Converting assets for reuse during manufacturing

A system for generating a work unit test ahead candidate list. A list is generated of all potential candidate systems for test ahead operations. A system in the potential candidate list is selected. It is determined whether any work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts. Determining that no work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts, a complexity score is calculated for each work unit in the selected system. The calculated complexity scores are added to a total system complexity score. It is then determined whether an override exists for a work unit in the selected system. Determining that an override does exist, the selected system is removed from the potential candidate list. A candidate list is generated from remaining systems in the potential candidate list. Then, the candidate list is outputted to provide recommendations for optimizing work unit test ahead operations.

Providing real-time test ahead work direction for manufacturing optimization

Data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly is automatically stored. In preferred embodiments the supply chain events for the manufactured assembly are stored on an RFID tag attached to the assembly as it travels through the supply chain to insure the data concerning the assembly is readily available and not separated from the assembly. In other embodiments, the supply chain events or characteristic data is stored on the RFID tag in a hierarchical structure beginning with the original state of the assembly and with additional entries for each step in the assembly process. In other embodiments, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalizations, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. In other preferred embodiments, other information is also stored on the RFID tag such as country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status indicator.

Utilizing an RFID tag in manufacturing

Utilizing an RFID tag in manufacturing for enhanced lifecycle management

A system for automatically replacing loaner parts within a loaner system to prevent loaner system callback. In response to selecting a loaner system within loaner inventory data, it is determined whether the selected loaner system is required to be returned based on a target return date for the selected loaner system. In response to determining that the selected loaner system is not required to be returned, a notification is automatically generated and sent to a customer to return expiring loaner parts within the selected loaner system based on loaner part rules. A part replacement order is automatically generated for replacement loaner parts for each of the expiring loaner parts. Then, the replacement loaner parts are automatically shipped to the customer to replace the expiring loaner parts to prevent callback of the selected loaner system.

Automatic loaner part replacement to prevent system callback

An apparatus, system, and storage medium that, in an embodiment, receive service data at a computer system from an RFID tag, where the service data was sent to the RFID tag from an RF transmitter while the computer system was powered off. The RFID tag includes tag memory and an antenna, and the RFID tag is attached to the computer system. In another embodiment, the computer system sends the service data to the RFID tag, and the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off. In various embodiments, the service data identifies the computer system or a product within the computer system. In another embodiment, the service data includes log information associated with the computer system.

Sending service data to an RFID tag while an attached computer system is powered off

Real-time assembly and part validation (or 'containment') and auto-disposition in a manufacturing environment. Validation and auto-disposition are performed in a real-time, proactive manner where the validation and auto-disposition processing are not coupled to the installation process. Validation problems or issues may therefore be identified and resolved before an assembly or part is needed for installation.

Real-time assembly and part validation and auto-disposition

The present disclosure is directed to a method for determining dynamic test coverage for a product. The method may comprise: receiving a customer order, the customer order comprising at least one product configuration; receiving a rule set associated with the at least one product configuration; analyzing the rule set to determine a proxy part to add to the at least one product configuration; providing the proxy part an indicator; adding the proxy part to the at least one product configuration; iteratively comparing the product configuration to the rule set until the product configuration meets the rule set; providing a test associated with the at least one product configuration; receiving at least one signal from at least one indicator; and removing at least one proxy part from the at least one product configuration.

Dynamic determination of a minimal configured product to achieve desired test coverage

An apparatus and method provide parallel installation of logical partitions on a computer system. The function of a hardware maintenance console is built into a logical partition configuration mechanism that resides in the system firmware. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is used by the logical partition configuration mechanism to define an I/O bridge that allows installing multiple logical partitions in parallel. Because multiple logical partitions may be installed in parallel, the time required to install logical partitions is greatly reduced.

Parallel installation of logical partitions

A computer implemented method, computer program product, and data processing system for managing proxy parts that are exchangeable based on an active exchangeable proxy part list, a production history, and a true demand. A production history is used to compile a list of active exchangeable proxy parts. The most available active exchangeable proxy part is chosen as a proxy part in a unit. The target part in the unit's production order is overridden with the newly assigned proxy part number. Following the implementation of the proxy part, the proxy part is recovered. The proxy part is returned to production inventory, where it may be reassigned as a proxy part or implemented as a production part.

Application, method and process for managing part exchangeability across functional boundaries

A method for managing customer order alterations in a manufacturing environment is provided. A new order that comprises a new product configuration is received. The new product configuration is a modified version of an original product configuration in an existing order. A first score for a first option for building the new product configuration from scratch is determined. A second score for a second option for modifying the existing product configuration to satisfy the new product configuration is determined. A best option is determined by comparing the first and second scores and selecting an option with a lower score. The best option is presented to a user. In another exemplary embodiment additional scores for additional options for building the new product configuration from other products in existing inventory are determined. The best option is then determined by comparing all scores and selecting an option with a lower score.

Method, medium, and system for managing customer order alterations

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing variable regulatory compliance in a supply chain. The process identifies a variable regulatory compliance for a production order. Variable regulatory compliance is a percentage of a given attribute of the production order in compliance with order compliance rules. The process selects a set of compliant parts based on a compliant supply-to-demand ratio. The set of compliant parts is a minimum number of compliant parts required to satisfy variable regulatory compliance. The process selects a set of non-compliant parts based on a non-compliant supply-to-demand ratio. The process generates a list of recommended parts for use in manufacturing a product specified by the production order. The list of recommended parts comprises the set of compliant parts and the set of non-compliant parts.

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Rochester, MN, United States of America

Fraser Allan Syme