System and method for sourcing a demand forecast within a supply chain management system

US8417549B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SAP AG · DE

Inventors

• Ravi Rakesh · Wiesloch, DE
• Stefan Merker · Mannheim, DE
• Juergen Koenemann · Hamburg, DE
• Stefan Resag · Walldorf, DE
• Jochen Steinbach · Bad Schönborn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 27, 2005
• Grant date: Apr 9, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 6, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0202
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method are described for intelligently sourcing demand forecasts within a supply chain management (“SCM”) system based on a constrained supply chain model, in light of material and resource constraints. For example, a computer implemented method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: calculating a demand forecast identifying anticipated demand for a product over a specified time period; identifying current sales orders for the product with delivery dates scheduled during the specified time period; generating an open forecast for the product based on the current sales orders and the anticipated demand; and sourcing different percentages of the open forecast from different plants, the percentages selected based on supply chain material and/or resource constraints. In addition, after the demand forecast is sourced, one embodiment of the invention employs additional techniques for intelligently sourcing new sales orders entering the SCM system.