Supply chain analytics

Transaction processing is facilitated using an approach for automatically grouping transaction-based documents as a function of matching data in the documents. In one example embodiment of the present invention, data from selected attribute fields in transaction-based documents is parsed as the documents are received at a transaction processor. When data in selected attribute fields from two or more documents match, the transaction processor automatically groups the documents having matching data under a particular anchor identification code defined as a function of the match. Upon receipt of one or more other transaction-based documents, the transaction processor advances progress towards completion of the common transaction to which the documents apply. With this approach, predefined data (e.g., a purchase order number) need not necessarily be included with a particular transaction document in order to group the document with another document belonging to the same common transaction.

Automated transaction processing system and approach

A policy engine generates configlets that are vendor-neutral, vendor-specific or both, based on a selected target level and a selected device/device group. A translator translates and combines the configlets to form vendor-dependent configuration files. The policy engine generates the configlets using policies associated with the selected target level and its sub-target levels, as defined by a target level hierarchy. A policy includes at least a condition, and an action which the policy engine performs if the condition is true. In performing the action, the policy engine typically writes to at least a partial configlet. A policy may further include a verification clause, which is used to verify a running configuration. Policy dependencies may also be defined such that where a second policy is dependent on a first policy, the second policy must be evaluated after the first policy. This is necessary, where, for example, the first policy generates and stores a value to be used by the second policy. Policies are small programs written as small programs. A configlet hierarchy is defined, such that a child configlet inherits properties which it does not define from its parent. A mapping function maps infrastructure data in a first format to a second format, so that the second format is recognizable by the policy engine. A loader batches, schedules and loads a configuration file to its intended device. Upon replacing a first device using a first configuration format with a second device using a second configuration format, the first device's configuration is read in or uploaded and reverse-translated into configlets. The configlets are then translated into a configuration formatted for the second device. The system retains device logins and passwords in encrypted format. A user desiring to connect to a device must log in to the system instead. The system in turn logs in or connects to the device and passes information back and forth between the user and the device, as if the user were logged directly into the device.

Network configuration manager

A system and method for communicating with network devices without regard to the device type and/or manufacturer is described. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a global graphical user interface (GUI) for communicating with various network devices. The global GUI includes an intuitive interface driven by a template library. For each device type and each device manufacturer, this template library can store both the attribute fields required for device configuration and the format for communicating those attribute fields. When a network administrator wants to communicate with a particular network device, the template associated with that device can be retrieved from the template library. The network administrator can then populate the attribute fields of that template with the appropriate data. This attribute data can be formatted and provided to the network device.

System and method for configuring a network device

Supply chain management promises competitive advantages for industrial organizations. The introduction of new products and services, or entry into new markets, is likely to be more successful if accompanied by innovative supply chain designs, innovative supply chain management practices, and enabling technology. This is a widely accepted premise in business practice today. However, systematic research and knowledge about supply chain innovation (SCI) is little developed. There is a lack of common terminology, of agreement about the conceptual understanding, and of related empirical work. This paper presents an exploratory study that aims to provide a better understanding of SCI, mirroring leading edge practice, and providing a sound terminological and conceptual basis for advanced academic work in the field. The research is based on an in-depth literature review and the analysis of a set of secondary data sources: 36 SCI cases, drawn from applications for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) Supply Chain Innovation Award. As results of the research, a new SCI definition, the construction of a descriptive model of its key elements, and discussion of implications are presented.

Exploring supply chain innovation

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing total costs over the stages of a network of interconnected stages. The method of the present invention includes receiving at least one data set for each of a plurality of interconnected stages, each data set corresponding to an option at the corresponding stage, each data set including a first cost and a second cost. The method further includes determining, based upon the at least one data set, an optimum series of options over a series of the stages by selecting a single option at each stage in the series of the stages that minimizes the sum of total costs over the series of the stages, wherein the total costs is a function of said at least one data set.

System and method for determining the optimum configuration strategy for systems with multiple decision options

Hewlett-Packard (HP) developed a standard and common process for analysis coupled with advancement in inventory optimization techniques to invent a new and robust way to design supply-chain networks. This new methodology piloted by HP's Digital Imaging division has received sponsorship from HP's Executive Supply- Chain Council and is now being deployed across the entire company. As of May 2003, a dozen product lines have been exposed to this methodology, with four product lines already integrating this process into both the configuration of their new-product supply chains and the improvement of existing-product supply chains. The team will highlight the application of these new capabilities within HP's Digital Camera and Inkjet Supplies businesses. The realized savings from these first two projects exceeds $130 million.

Accelerating the Profitability of Hewlett-Packard's Supply Chains

Over the past 10 years, Procter & Gamble has leveraged its cross-functional organizational structure with operations research to reduce its inventory investment. Savings were achieved in a two-step process. First, spreadsheet-based inventory models locally optimized each stage in the supply chain. Because these were the first inventory tools installed, they achieved significant savings and established P&G's scientific inventory practices. Second, P&G's more complex supply chains implemented multiechelon inventory optimization software to minimize inventory costs across the end-to-end supply chain. In 2009, a tightly coordinated planner-led effort, supported by these tools, drove $1.5 billion in cash savings. Although case studies show the mathematics employed, of equal importance is the presentation of the planning process that facilitates inventory management and the decision tree that matches a business to the optimal inventory tool depending on the requirements of the business. Today, more than 90 percent of P&G's business units (about $70 billion in revenues) use either single-stage (70 percent) or multiechelon (30 percent) inventory management tools. Plans are underway to increase the use of multiechelon tools to manage 65 percent of P&G's supply chains in the next three years.

Inventory Optimization at Procter & Gamble: Achieving Real Benefits Through User Adoption of Inventory Tools

Effective end-to-end supply chain management and network inventory optimization must account for service levels, demand volatility, lead times, and lead-time variability. Most inventory models incorporate demand variability, but far fewer rigorously account for lead-time variability, particularly in multiechelon supply chain networks. Our research extends the guaranteed service model of safety stock placement to allow random lead times. The main methodological contribution is the creation of closed-form equations for the expected safety stock in the system; this includes a derivation for the early-arrival stock in the system. The main applied contributions are the demonstration of real stochastic lead times in practice and a discussion of how our approach outperforms more traditional heuristics that either ignore lead-time variability or consider the maximum lead time at each stage.

John D. Ruark

Papers

System and method for determining the optimum configuration strategy for systems with multiple decision options

Accelerating the Profitability of Hewlett-Packard's Supply Chains

Inventory Optimization at Procter & Gamble: Achieving Real Benefits Through User Adoption of Inventory Tools

Incorporating Stochastic Lead Times Into the Guaranteed Service Model of Safety Stock Optimization