Francis F Fitzpatrick

US Patent:

60061995, Dec 21, 1999

Filed:

Dec 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/815654

Inventors:

Robert L. Berlin - Mableton GA
Craig Alfred Bloszinsky - Matthews NC
William Edwin Bruner - Austin TX
Francis Lionel Fitzpatrick - Austin TX
Joseph Edward Hein - San Jose CA
Donald Roy Johnson - Austin TX
Barry Edmund McCaa - Marietta GA
Bharath Natarajan - Marietta GA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1521

US Classification:

705 26

Abstract:

A method and system are provided for automating validation and payment within a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system having a number of trading partners linked via an independent (or proprietary) communications network utilizing an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Planned orders for production items generated via a Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) system and/or orders for non-production items are utilized by a purchasing system to create a purchase order which is then transmitted to a supplier via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). A planned receipt list of items is created based upon the purchase order and utilized to validate those items listed within an advanced ship notice. In response to such validation, or after correcting any discrepancy in accordance with listed tolerances, an authorization for payment is automatically generated and payment is issued. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic funds transfer request is automatically sent to a financial institution authorizing a fund transfer.