W.w. Grainger, Inc.

Robert H Scheer

A method for managing inventory within a supply chain. The method is performed by providing forecasts of demand for items distributed within the supply chain, using the forecasts to establish base stocking levels and reorder points within the supply chain, and using the established base stocking levels and reorder points to position items within the supply chain so as to maximize efficiency and profitability when responding to an order for an item.

Method for managing inventory within an integrated supply chain

A method for fulfilling an order in a supply chain. The method is performed by extracting from a customer system information pertaining to the work order that specifies a piece of equipment to be repaired and items expected to be used during the repair procedure, determining, using an equipment knowledge base, a probability that each of the items will be needed to effect the repair procedure, and using the determined probability to stage the items within the supply chain whereby the items are made ready for use in the repair procedure. Further steps can include extracting from the customer system information pertaining to a completion of the repair procedure and using the information pertaining to the completion of the repair procedure to populate the equipment knowledge base for use in future probability of need calculations.

Method for fulfilling an order in an integrated supply chain management system

A supply chain transaction network. The network includes a customer agent server hosting a collection of intelligent customer agents for interfacing with and extracting information from one or more of a condition monitoring system, a computer maintenance management system and a procurement system and a distributor agent server hosting a collection of intelligent distributor agents for interfacing and communicating with one or more of a supply chain planning system, an inventory management system, a logistic management system, an order management system, an intelligent order fulfillment system, and an equipment knowledge base. An agent network manager and broker routes messages between the distributor agent server and the customer agent server to effect a movement of items within the supply chain.

System and method for predictive maintenance and service parts fulfillment in a supply chain

A method for selecting a fulfillment plan for moving an item within a supply chain. The method is performed in response to the receipt of an order for an item. To select the fulfillment plan, a list of alternative fulfillment plans for moving the item within the supply chain is constructed, the constructed alternative fulfillment plans are evaluated against a predetermined criteria, and the constructed alternative fulfillment plan that most closely meets the predetermined criteria is selected for implementation to position the item within the supply chain for use in meeting the order.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Robert H Scheer