Systems, methods and computer-implemented architectures for performing supply chain planning

US7801754B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SAP AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Kasper · Craydon Court, US
• Mathias Goebelt · Heidelberg, DE
• Andreas Sandner · Weiterstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 29, 2005
• Grant date: Sep 21, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0201
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods, systems and computer-implemented architectures are provided for performing supply chain planning. In one implementation, a system is provided that comprises a database configured to store master data descriptive of supply chain items, a model generator coupled to the database and configured to derive a master data-based core model representative of a supply chain planning problem, and a solver configured to translate the core model into a mathematical model and determine a solution to the mathematical model. In addition, the system may comprise a preprocessor configured to preprocess the core model by subjecting the core model to a set of rules to derive a preprocessed core model, wherein the solver establishes the mathematical model from the preprocessed core model. By applying a set of preprocessing rules to the core model, where the business logic of the supply chain planning problem still exists, the solving process of the planning problem can be improved and the performance of the solver can be enhanced. Moreover, meaningful results obtained from the preprocessing can be reported to a customer.