Responsive manufacturing and inventory control

Abstract

A medical device production and supply information management system synchronous with manufacturing, planning and scheduling, product consumption forecast, and component purchase to enable just-in-time inventory control at the manufacturing facility, vendor stocks, material/product tracking, distribution and shipping management to thereby reduce inventory at all points in the product manufacturing, distribution/delivery chain. The system is implemented using a preferably Web enabled information network and data communications with a programmer. The programmer provides access to product information, specification and related data for implanted medical devices from which build-to-order and build-to-replenish commands are issued to the manufacturing center. The system is interactive within the consumption management system that is integrally and seamlessly connected with patients, hospitals, sales offices and related information hubs including manufacturing facilities. The invention enables management of inventory levels of medical devices through the interactive information management system by accurately accounting for inventory stored in sales offices, distributors and sales representatives, as well as implanting institutions to ensure that all centers have appropriate and adequate stock that is replaced on just-in-time basis under the build-to-replenish scheme.