Method for allocating limited component supply and capacity to optimize production scheduling

US7197469B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Sanjay R. Hegde · Kanchinakote, IN
• Robert J. Milne · Jericho, US
• Robert A. Orzell · South Burlington, US
• Mahesh Pati · South Glastonbury, US
• Shivakumar Patil · South Burlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 26, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2007
• Expiry date: Oct 2, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/80
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for resource rationing which employs decision rules for the optimal allocation of supply and capacity over time that satisfy two key requirements (a) being consistent with accepted operational objectives (e.g. low inventory, short lead times, prioritized allocation of supply and capacity) and (b) allowing for the timely computation of a feasible production schedule. The method and system is generally characterized in that it is able to divide each of the priority ranked scheduled releases (Material Requirements Planning (MRP)) into “N” separate and smaller sized scheduled releases where the priority of each of the “N” releases may be equal to the priority of the original release. The “N” separate and smaller sized scheduled releases are sorted according to priority and then used to determine an optimal supply schedule for allocating resources including component supply and assembly capacity.