A computer implemented method provides decision support for how much of an inventory item to order and when to order where the review period is different from a basic time unit for demand realization and updates. For cases where the review period is greater than the basic time unit for describing the system, the (s,S) rule is replaced with an enhanced policy for deciding when to order and how much to order. This policy becomes necessary as in practice items are often reviewed at different frequencies, even though demand realization and inventory updates may be done every day. Given a periodic review inventory system and given a set of (s,S) values, the computer implemented method produces lower average inventory costs for the same achieved service level. Alternatively, for a given average investment in inventory, the method will result in higher service level than the corresponding (s,S) policy.

A conceptual tool for inventory cost analysis based on an engineering change request for an item. The invention is a conceptual tool that uses both existing and new product structure in which an engineering change is requested on the item. Based on the product in which the item in question is being used, the system would identify all affected products (active and inactive), evaluate the on-hand inventory costs of raw material and finished products by accessing an inventory database. The system automatically designs an inventory model to evaluate the work-in-process inventory for all products affected by the change through direct access to item and process parameter data from an engineering database. A consolidated inventory cost for raw material, work-in-process and finished goods is derived based on the engineering change request and advises the user of the cost impact.

A general-purpose management system displays a single general format on a display unit so that items redundant in plural types of management to be performed independently, as well as items peculiar to each type of management, can be inputted successively, and includes a first file for collectively storing data relating to each of the items inputted in accordance with the display, a plurality of second files for storing data necessary for each type of management on a type-by-type basis, a data extractor which, in dependence upon the type of management to be performed independently, is adapted to extract data necessary for this management from the first file and transfer the data to a corresponding second file, and a data preparer for preparing data necessary for a specific type of management and outputting these data in accordance with a predetermined format on the basis of the data in the first file and the data transferred to the corresponding second file.

An automated inventory management system is provided which is easy to use and user friendly to evaluate the impact of customer demand changes on inventory. For a given item, the system automatically defines an inventory model by accessing an engineering planning database. The system identifies the on-hand raw material inventory and evaluates the work-in-process inventory from the model. The system then accesses an inventory database to identify the finished goods inventory and automatically consolidates all inventory and computes the total impact. The system also provides the practicing manager necessary control limits on raw material and work-in-process inventory dollars to complete a given finished product and establishes the required inventory turns. The user can use the system to compare against acutals and take appropriate action to correct any process deficiencies. This provides the capability to evaluate inventory sensitivity to customer demand and can be used to better serve the customer and his needs.

The Computer Integrated Manufacturing System includes a plurality of levels of computer control which organize and disseminate the information for controlling shop floor level systems. Both scheduling data and data relating to process, product, and material specifications as well as bills of material are generated in an upper level computer system and refined and down loaded as needed to lower level computers controlling the shop floor processes. The computers on the upper levels are capable of communication with the computers on the lower levels and computers on the same level are capable of communication with each other as needed to pass information back and forth.