David Kenneth Sheldon

US Patent:

57651434, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Mar 10, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/402025

Inventors:

David E. Sheldon - Danville CA
James Leach - San Ramon CA
Vladimir Pisarsky - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Triad Systems Corporation - Livermore CA

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 28

Abstract:

A computer system and computer-implemented method for controlling inventory of vendors at one level of a part distribution chain. The system includes a computer programmed with software for generating order data in response to reference data indicative of sales, inventory, demographics, and/or market characteristics of or pertaining to at least two vendors at the same distribution level. The order data is indicative of one or more of a recommended inventory increase transaction (such as a reorder by a vendor of a sold part); an inventory reduction transaction (such as a return of one or more parts in stock at the vendor); and a recommended stocking level of one or more parts by the vendor. When the computer is operated by personnel of a first vendor, it receives reference data concerning at least one other vendor at the same distribution level (in addition to processing reference data concerning the first vendor. When the computer is a host computer, it receives reference data from two or more vendors at the same distribution level.