A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for technology sharing during demand and supply planning in a network-based supply chain environment. Steps included are providing locator and mapping capabilities utilizing the network. Technology that includes streaming audio, stereo audio and video data is also shared utilizing the network. Encryption capabilities for the technology are also included. Further, searching capabilities are provided utilizing the network in addition to logging events and passive user profiling. The event logging includes logging network operations. User profile data is automatically received and stored. User profile data includes user identity, state, preferences and interests. User profile data is also automatically exported to an active profile manager which automatically adds additional user profile data. Additional user profile data includes information related to whether the user is a service provider or a manufacturer and the location of user.

Technology sharing during demand and supply planning in a network-based supply chain environment

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmitted over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodically; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.

Increased visibility during order management in a network-based supply chain environment

The present disclosure controls the network and manages resources for managing network assets through in a network-based supply chain framework. Network assets are available to network users. One user may submit information reguarding potential for growth, the capacity, or the technological level of one of the network assets. Another user may submit similar information about another network asset. Based on the information from the users, the system may determine the optimal set of network assets. When network events about the assets are recieved, the events can be filtered, correlated and isolated. These events can then be translated into a standard object form for facilitating the determination of the problem causing the network event.

Asset tracking in a network-based supply chain environment

An electronic requisitioning system for channeling customer requisition orders to internal suppliers (109) and outside vendors (106a, 106b), and processing invoices using a centralized computer system (100). A customer accesses an electronic item catalog (126) and requisition form to place an order transmitted to the central computer system. Requisitions are segregated by supplier and sent as purchase orders to appropriate internal suppliers and outside vendors that ship the items directly to the customer. Invoices are centrally processed and the customer receives a combined invoice (130) for all item requisitions and may transmit payment back through to the central computer system.

Computer integration network for channeling customer orders through a centralized computer to various suppliers

In accordance with the present invention, a requisition and inventory management system is provided which employs both a host computer and a local computer which can be linked to permit two-way data communications in a real time environment. Each computer has an associated database which can be accessed by that computer. By accessing its respective database, each computer can build and transmit to the other computer communications blocks of data relating to a particular requisition of an item in Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory or to the management of the JIT inventory. The other computer can then use the received data to continue processing of the requisition or to update its JIT inventory records. Thus requisition records are created from a real-time interaction between the host and local computers, with each computer using data from its respective database in conjunction with information entered by a Customer Service Representative (CSR) operating the local computer. The system of the present invention also utilizes means for automatically determining which items in the JIT inventory are likely to require replenishment. The system then proposes a purchase or transfer order for an optimum quantity of the item, which the CSR may accept or modify.

Just-in-time requisition and inventory management system

The parts supply instruction apparatus includes a production schedule system, a parts information system, a car information system, and an order issue managing system which are preferably located at an assembly factory. The order issue managing system scans a parts master file and extracts required data therefrom relating to parts to be ordered to produce order issue data. The order issue data is sent to a received order managing system which is located at a parts supply factory. The type of parts supply order system operated by the apparatus can be changed between the production schedule system, the part information system and the car information system merely by changing a designation parameter corresponding to a respective system, inserted in an order type column of the parts master file.

Parts supply instruction apparatus

A resistance spot welding method and apparatus wherein a weld can be judged to have an acceptable strength whether a splash (expulsion of weld metal) has occurred or not, provided that a maximum displacement (M) of a movable electrode to a fixed one is larger than a certain predetermined reference value (ML) or a rate (R) of the displacement at an initial stage is larger than a certain predetermined reference value (RL) which is defined between two certain predetermined reference values (R1, RE), by sensing the displacement and the rate thereof. Furthermore, when necessary, a weld is judged to have an acceptable indentation (I), as well, by sensing a position of the electrode at a specific point of time when a predetermined holding time has elasped from the time of de-energization of the welding current. Thus reliability of a spot welded joint is much improved and costly rejection of a welded product is considerably reduced.

Satoshi Kuroiwa

Papers

Parts supply instruction apparatus

Method and apparatus for judging quality of spot weld