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US 20060229887A1
(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0229887 A1 (43) Pub. Date:
Liang et al. (54)
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(52)
Us. or.
Oct. 12, 2006
................................................................ .. 705/1
(75) Inventors: Oing-Lin Liang, Taipei (TW); Chia-Chun Lee, Taipei (TW); Je?
(57)
Song, Taipei (TW); Win-Harn Liu,
Taipei (TW)
A Warehouse management system is applied under a net Work environment to integrate Warehouses of suppliers and retailers in the network environment and provide an infor mation communication channel between the suppliers and retailers. The Warehouse management system includes a
Correspondence Address: PEARL COHEN ZEDEK, LLP 1500 BROADWAY 12TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10036 (US)
(73) (22)
logic management module for alloWing the suppliers and retailers to enter information; a data storage module for
Assignee: INVENTEC CORPORATION
(21) Appl. No. : Filed:
storing the information; an information management module for synchronously updating the information to the data storage module; and an information display module for synchronously displaying the information on data process
11/092,915
Mar. 30, 2005
ing devices. By the Warehouse management system, inte
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
ABSTRACT
gration of Warehouse management can be achieved, such that management efficiency and economic bene?ts are enhanced.
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US 2006/0229887 A1
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Oct. 12, 2006
US 2006/0229887 A1
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
important step in the overall trading activity. The procedures
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
such as stocktaking, receiving, delivery and management of incoming and output goods must be planned in details and
[0001] The present invention relates to Warehouse man agement technologies, and more particularly, to a Warehouse
handled appropriately such that the trading activity can run
smoothly.
management system applied betWeen suppliers and retailers
[0006] HoWever, along With the groWth of computer and
under a networking environment.
netWork technologies, the mode of Warehouse management has changed over the time. The traditional mode of Ware
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] General Warehouses can be divided into several categories according to uses thereof, including one in com
panies for storing goods of daily sales; one in factories for storing stock materials and manufactured products for retail ing; one referring to a large Warehouse for temporary storage
of import/export goods for inspection in airports and the Customs; and one referring to a specialiZed Warehouse usually in an industrial or factory area for use With compa
nies nearby. [0003] In the costs for a business, the material cost usually takes above 50%, and Warehouse management has enor mous impact on the costs. If the Warehouse management is not proper, pro?ts Would become useless Waste materials in
the Warehouse; or if backup support is not suf?cient enough, the business Would become outdated due to competition. Thus, materials represent money, and the Warehouse repre sents money storage, such that the Warehouse management
house management is individual management, that is, the business only manages its oWn Warehouses by Warehouse managers. Even if the business builds a netWork Warehouse
management system, such system is only for internal use but not connected to other businesses through a netWork. This
limits the application scope of Warehouse management and subsequently affects revenue returns for the business. And
most of the Warehouses are only used for storing goods and
performing simple search and stocktaking on the goods, and are not ef?ciently managed.
[0007] Therefore, the problem to be solved here is to integrate Warehouse management systems of related busi nesses and achieve information communication betWeen the
related businesses. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In light of the draWbacks in the prior art, a primary
is considered critically important.
objective of the present invention is to provide a Warehouse management system, Which can integrate Warehouses of
[0004]
communication betWeen the suppliers and retailers.
In the past, Warehouse facilities Were simple, and
suppliers and retailers to achieve synchronous information
materials Were simply categoriZed and stored in the Ware house or on shelves and can be retrieved upon demand.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to
NoWadays, along With the development of international trade and the groWth in siZe of manufacturers, the quantities and variation of types of incoming and output goods and
provide a Warehouse management system so as to more
materials are also increased. Many businesses have built large and automated Warehouses With heavy costs so as to adjust supply of raW materials and market ?uctuation and prevent excess stocks that may hold up capital and affect company operation as Well as avoid lack of raW materials on
ef?ciently manage Warehouses and enhance economic ben e?ts.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above and other objectives,
the present invention proposes a Warehouse management system, Which includes a logic management module for alloWing suppliers and retailers to enter information; a data
storage module for storing the information; an information
the production line, Which may affect product output if being
management module for synchronously updating the infor
short of material stocks. Therefore, Warehouse management
mation to the data storage module; and an information
is a very important task noWadays. Duties of a traditional
Warehouse manager include: (1) checking if arriving mate rials and goods are consistent With order request forms, receipts and other documents; (2) inspecting Whether the arriving materials and goods are damaged and if they
display module for synchronously displaying ?rst and sec ond management interfaces and the information on data
processing devices.
ries; (4) deciding if the materials or goods should be stored
[0011] Unlike the conventional individual Warehouse management system, the present invention uses the logic management module for alloWing suppliers and retailers to enter information, and uses the information display module to synchronously display the information at the suppliers and retailers, such that the foregoing objectives such as synchronous communication betWeen the suppliers and retailers, ef?cient Warehouse management and enhanced
in predetermined positions With speci?c facilities according
economic bene?ts can be achieved.
comply to correct speci?cation, if any of the materials and goods is damaged or not correct in speci?cation, removing it from the stock, returning it to its shipping unit and ordering an replacement to be delivered in a speci?ed
period; (3) recording incoming and output materials and goods on cards or material books according to their catego
to their material properties, and making necessary marks and descriptions for these speci?cally stored materials or goods; (5) after delivery of goods, applying for materials in need to maintain the stock level according to regulations or self
by reading the folloWing detailed description of the pre
experience; and (6) running regular stocktaking to ensure the stocks complying With the records, and making notes for
nying draWings, Wherein:
reporting. [0005]
Thus, the duties of the Warehouse manager appear
to be simple, but they are considered as an essential and
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
The present invention can be more fully understood
ferred embodiments, With reference made to the accompa
[0013] FIG. 1 is a systemic block diagram shoWing archi tecture of a Warehouse management system according to the
present invention applied to suppliers and retailers;
Oct. 12, 2006
US 2006/0229887 A1
[0014] FIG. 2 is a systemic block diagram showing detailed architecture of the Warehouse management system according to the present invention applied to suppliers and
retailers; [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram shoWing an example of a supplier management interface provided by the Ware house management system in the present invention corre sponding to a supplier; [0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram shoWing an example of a retailer management interface provided by the Ware house management system in the present invention corre sponding to a retailer; and
[0017] FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C) are block diagrams shoWing various embodiments of the Warehouse manage ment system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS
tion of names and quantities of products being supplied by the supplier, that is, the supplier can enter names and
quantities of all products being supplied and to be sold to retailers, such as products manufactured by this supplier or
by other suppliers, through the supplier management inter face. Moreover, as shoWn in FIG. 4 of an example of a
retailer management interface, this retailer management interface alloWs the retailer to enter information such as
incoming products, output products, product replacement, product status adjustment, Warehouse arrangement and stocktaking, that is, the retailer can enter information
through the retailer management interface according to the status of products and Warehouses.
[0021] The foregoing information of incoming products refer to quantities of incoming products, i.e. the quantities of products the retailer purchases from the supplier, such that correspondingly the quantities of such products Would be decreased in the supplier, and stock quantities of these products in a Warehouse of the retailer are increased. The
invention. These draWings are used in conjunction With the
foregoing information of output products refers to quantities of sold products, i.e. the quantities of products sold by the retailer, such that correspondingly stock quantities of these
folloWing detailed description to recite preferred embodi
products in the retailer’s Warehouse Would be decreased.
ments of the Warehouse management system in the present invention. It is to be noted that the draWings are simpli?ed schematic diagrams only shoWing the basic structure of the
quantities of replaced products, i.e. the quantities of replaced
[0018] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C) illustrate a Warehouse management system 1 proposed in the present
The foregoing information of product replacement refers to products that are sold from the retailer to clients, and every
the Warehouse management system may be more complex in
time of replacement Would correspondingly increase and decrease stock quantities of these products in the retailer’s Warehouse. The foregoing information of product status
actual implementation.
adjustment refers to a status of products, Which is the status
[0019] The Warehouse management system I in the present
of products in the retailer’s Warehouse, Wherein such status can be speci?ed according to a user’s requirement, including
present invention. Thus, the draWings only provide archi tecture relating to the present invention, and con?guration of
invention is applied in data processing devices under a netWork environment The data processing devices can be desktop computers, notebook computers, servers, or Work stations, etc. The Warehouse management system 1 is used
to integrate Warehouses of suppliers and retailers under the
e.g. normal, inferior, damaged and other items. The forego ing information of Warehouse arrangement refers to a usage status of Warehouses of the retailer, that is, if a retailer oWns a plurality of Warehouses, a part of products can be relocated from one Warehouse to another. The foregoing information
netWork environment and establish an information commu
of stocktaking refers to actual stock quantities of products of
nication channel betWeen suppliers and retailers. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram shoWing architecture of the Warehouse management system 1 in the present invention applied to suppliers and retailers. As shoWn in FIG. 1, the Warehouse management system 1 includes a logic management module
the retailer, that is, the stock quantities of a part of or all products in the Warehouse are checked to replace the stock
10 for alloWing at least one supplier 50 and at least one retailer 60 to enter information; a data storage module 20 for
storing the information; an information management module 30 for synchronously updating the information to the data storage module 20; and an information display module 40 for synchronously displaying the information on the data
processing devices (not shoWn). [0020] The logic management module 10, as shoWn in FIG. 2, includes a supplier management interface 100 corresponding to the supplier 50, and a retailer management interface 101 corresponding to the retailer 60. The supplier management interface 100 is for alloWing the supplier 50 to enter information, and the retailer management interface 1 01 is for alloWing the retailer 60 to enter information. That is, the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 can enter information
respectively through the supplier management interface 100
quantities in the system With the actual stock quantities of
products. [0022]
The data storage module 20, as shoWn in FIG. 2,
is an information storage database used to store the infor
mation entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 respectively. [0023] The information management module 30, as shoWn in FIG. 2, is used to synchronously update the information, Which is entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 respectively, to the data storage module 20. That is, the information entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier man agement interface 100 and the retailer management interface
101 respectively Would synchronously update information stored in the data storage module 20. For example, the
and the retailer management interface 101 provided by the
supplier 50 adds a neW product to be sold to the retailer 60, and enters information of the name and quantity of this
logic management module 10. As shoWn in FIG. 3 of an
product through the supplier management interface 100,
example of a supplier management interface, this supplier
such that the information management module 30 Would synchronously update the entered information to the data
management interface alloWs the supplier to enter informa
Oct. 12, 2006
US 2006/0229887 A1
storage module 20, and thus the name and quantity of the product are added to the data storage module 20.
[0024] The information display module 40 is used to display the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 on the data processing
the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modi?cations and similar arrangements. The scope of the
claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpre tation so as to encompass all such modi?cations and similar
devices 500, 600 respectively, and synchronously display
arrangements.
the information, Which is entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier management interface 100
What is claimed is:
and the retailer management interface 101 respectively, on
the data processing devices 500, 600. In other Words, the information display module 40 displays the supplier man agement interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 on the data processing devices 500, 600 of the supplier 50 and retailer 60 respectively, such that the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 can use the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 that are displayed on screens of the data processing devices 500, 600 to enter information respectively; and this information is
synchronously displayed by the information display module 40 on the screens of the data processing devices 500, 600 of
the supplier 50 and retailer 60 respectively, such that the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 can read the information shoWn on the screens of the data processing devices 500, 600. The information shoWn on the screen of the data
processing device 500 at the supplier 50 includes product related information of the supplier 50, Which can be speci ?ed according to the user’s requirement, such as product
names, product quantities, and stock quantities of products in a retailer’s Warehouse, etc. The information shoWn on the screen of the data processing device 600 at the retailer 60
includes product and Warehouse related information of the retailer 60, Which can be speci?ed according to the user’s
requirement, such as incoming products, output products, product replacement, product status adjustment, Warehouse arrangement, stocktaking and so on for the retailer 60.
[0025] FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C) are used to further clarify the application scope of the Warehouse management system in the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5(A), a
supplier 5011 provides products to a plurality of retailers 60a, 60b, 600 through the Warehouse management system 111 in the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5(B), a retailer 60d
purchases products from a plurality of suppliers 50b, 50c, 50d through the Warehouse management system 1b in the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5(C), a plurality of
suppliers 50e, 50f 50g provide products to a plurality of retailers 60e, 60f 60g at the same time through the Ware house management system 1c 1 in the present invention. From these embodiments shown in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and
5(C), it is realiZed that the Warehouse management system in the present invention has a Wide application range, Which
not only increases commercial opportunities but also enhances economic bene?ts
[0026] By the foregoing description and draWings, it is clearly understood that the Warehouse management system in the present invention utiliZes the logic management module for alloWing suppliers and retailers to enter infor mation, and also utiliZes the information display module to synchronously display the information at the suppliers and retailers, such that integration of Warehouse management can be achieved, and management ef?ciency and economic bene?ts are enhanced.
1. A Warehouse management system applied in data processing devices under a netWork environment, for inte
grating Warehouses of suppliers and retailers under the netWork environment to provide an information communi
cation channel betWeen the suppliers and retailers, the
Warehouse management system comprising: a logic management module comprising a supplier man agement interface corresponding to at least one sup
plier, and a retailer management interface correspond ing to at least one retailer, Wherein the supplier management interface alloWs the supplier to enter information, and the retailer management interface alloWs the retailer to enter information; and
an information display module for displaying the supplier management interface and the retailer management interface on the data processing devices respectively, and synchronously displaying the information, Which is entered by the supplier and the retailer through the supplier management interface and the retailer man
agement interface respectively, on the data processing devices. 2. The Warehouse management system of claim 1, further
comprising: a data storage module for storing the information entered
by the supplier and the retailer through the supplier management interface and the retailer management interface respectively; and an information management module for synchronously
updating the information, Which is entered by the supplier and the retailer through the supplier manage ment interface and the retailer management interface respectively, to the data storage module. 3. The Warehouse management system of claim 1, Wherein the supplier management interface alloWs the sup plier to enter the information of names and quantities of
products being supplied by the supplier. 4. The Warehouse management system of claim 1, Wherein the retailer management interface alloWs the retailer to enter the information including at least one of incoming
products, output products, product replacement, product status adjustment, Warehouse arrangement and stocktaking. 5. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of incoming products refers to
quantities of the products being purchased by the retailer from the supplier. 6. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of output products refers to quan
tities of the products being sold by the retailer. 7. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of product replacement refers to
quantities of replaced products being sold by the retailer.
[0027] The invention has been described using exemplary
8. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of product status adjustment refers
preferred embodiments. HoWever, it is to be understood that
to a status of products in a Warehouse of the retailer.
Oct. 12, 2006
US 2006/0229887 A1
9. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of Warehouse arrangement refers to
15. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of incoming products refers to
a usage status of Warehouses of the retailer.
quantities of the products being purchased by the retailer
10. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of stocktaking refers to actual stock quantities of products of the retailer. 11. The Warehouse management system of claim 1,
from the supplier. 16. The Warehouse management system of claim 14,
Wherein the information display module displays product related information of the supplier on the data processing device at the supplier. 12. The Warehouse management system of claim 11, Wherein the product related information of the supplier
Wherein the information of output products refers to quan
tities of the products being sold by the retailer. 17. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of product replacement refers to
quantities of replaced products being sold by the retailer.
tities in a retailer’s Warehouse of products being supplied by
18. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of product status adjustment refers
the supplier.
to a status of products in a Warehouse of the retailer.
includes at least one of names, quantities, and stock quan
13. The Warehouse management system of claim 1,
19. The Warehouse management system of claim 14,
Wherein the information display module displays product
Wherein the information of Warehouse arrangement refers to
and Warehouse related information of the retailer on the data
a usage status of Warehouses of the retailer.
processing device at the retailer. 14. The Warehouse management system of claim 13, Wherein the product and Warehouse related information of the retailer includes at least one of incoming products,
output products, product replacement, product status adjust ment, Warehouse arrangement and stocktaking.
20. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of stocktaking refers to actual stock
quantities of products of the retailer.
(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0229887 A1 (43) Pub. Date:
Liang et al. (54)
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(52)
Us. or.
Oct. 12, 2006
................................................................ .. 705/1
(75) Inventors: Oing-Lin Liang, Taipei (TW); Chia-Chun Lee, Taipei (TW); Je?
(57)
Song, Taipei (TW); Win-Harn Liu,
Taipei (TW)
A Warehouse management system is applied under a net Work environment to integrate Warehouses of suppliers and retailers in the network environment and provide an infor mation communication channel between the suppliers and retailers. The Warehouse management system includes a
Correspondence Address: PEARL COHEN ZEDEK, LLP 1500 BROADWAY 12TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10036 (US)
(73) (22)
logic management module for alloWing the suppliers and retailers to enter information; a data storage module for
Assignee: INVENTEC CORPORATION
(21) Appl. No. : Filed:
storing the information; an information management module for synchronously updating the information to the data storage module; and an information display module for synchronously displaying the information on data process
11/092,915
Mar. 30, 2005
ing devices. By the Warehouse management system, inte
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
ABSTRACT
gration of Warehouse management can be achieved, such that management efficiency and economic bene?ts are enhanced.
Int. Cl.
(2006.01)
1
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Data storage module W20 II I I
Information
management module
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Patent Application Publication Oct. 12, 2006 Sheet 3 0f 5
Product name
US 2006/0229887 A1
Product quatity
WE
Incoming Products PTOdUCI
Slams
?dJUSI'?Cl'll
Oulpul products \N
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amlngem??l
FIG. 4
Product replacement . stocktaking
Patent Application Publication Oct. 12, 2006 Sheet 4 0f 5
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Patent Application Publication Oct. 12, 2006 Sheet 5 0f 5
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Oct. 12, 2006
US 2006/0229887 A1
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
important step in the overall trading activity. The procedures
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
such as stocktaking, receiving, delivery and management of incoming and output goods must be planned in details and
[0001] The present invention relates to Warehouse man agement technologies, and more particularly, to a Warehouse
handled appropriately such that the trading activity can run
smoothly.
management system applied betWeen suppliers and retailers
[0006] HoWever, along With the groWth of computer and
under a networking environment.
netWork technologies, the mode of Warehouse management has changed over the time. The traditional mode of Ware
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] General Warehouses can be divided into several categories according to uses thereof, including one in com
panies for storing goods of daily sales; one in factories for storing stock materials and manufactured products for retail ing; one referring to a large Warehouse for temporary storage
of import/export goods for inspection in airports and the Customs; and one referring to a specialiZed Warehouse usually in an industrial or factory area for use With compa
nies nearby. [0003] In the costs for a business, the material cost usually takes above 50%, and Warehouse management has enor mous impact on the costs. If the Warehouse management is not proper, pro?ts Would become useless Waste materials in
the Warehouse; or if backup support is not suf?cient enough, the business Would become outdated due to competition. Thus, materials represent money, and the Warehouse repre sents money storage, such that the Warehouse management
house management is individual management, that is, the business only manages its oWn Warehouses by Warehouse managers. Even if the business builds a netWork Warehouse
management system, such system is only for internal use but not connected to other businesses through a netWork. This
limits the application scope of Warehouse management and subsequently affects revenue returns for the business. And
most of the Warehouses are only used for storing goods and
performing simple search and stocktaking on the goods, and are not ef?ciently managed.
[0007] Therefore, the problem to be solved here is to integrate Warehouse management systems of related busi nesses and achieve information communication betWeen the
related businesses. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In light of the draWbacks in the prior art, a primary
is considered critically important.
objective of the present invention is to provide a Warehouse management system, Which can integrate Warehouses of
[0004]
communication betWeen the suppliers and retailers.
In the past, Warehouse facilities Were simple, and
suppliers and retailers to achieve synchronous information
materials Were simply categoriZed and stored in the Ware house or on shelves and can be retrieved upon demand.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to
NoWadays, along With the development of international trade and the groWth in siZe of manufacturers, the quantities and variation of types of incoming and output goods and
provide a Warehouse management system so as to more
materials are also increased. Many businesses have built large and automated Warehouses With heavy costs so as to adjust supply of raW materials and market ?uctuation and prevent excess stocks that may hold up capital and affect company operation as Well as avoid lack of raW materials on
ef?ciently manage Warehouses and enhance economic ben e?ts.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above and other objectives,
the present invention proposes a Warehouse management system, Which includes a logic management module for alloWing suppliers and retailers to enter information; a data
storage module for storing the information; an information
the production line, Which may affect product output if being
management module for synchronously updating the infor
short of material stocks. Therefore, Warehouse management
mation to the data storage module; and an information
is a very important task noWadays. Duties of a traditional
Warehouse manager include: (1) checking if arriving mate rials and goods are consistent With order request forms, receipts and other documents; (2) inspecting Whether the arriving materials and goods are damaged and if they
display module for synchronously displaying ?rst and sec ond management interfaces and the information on data
processing devices.
ries; (4) deciding if the materials or goods should be stored
[0011] Unlike the conventional individual Warehouse management system, the present invention uses the logic management module for alloWing suppliers and retailers to enter information, and uses the information display module to synchronously display the information at the suppliers and retailers, such that the foregoing objectives such as synchronous communication betWeen the suppliers and retailers, ef?cient Warehouse management and enhanced
in predetermined positions With speci?c facilities according
economic bene?ts can be achieved.
comply to correct speci?cation, if any of the materials and goods is damaged or not correct in speci?cation, removing it from the stock, returning it to its shipping unit and ordering an replacement to be delivered in a speci?ed
period; (3) recording incoming and output materials and goods on cards or material books according to their catego
to their material properties, and making necessary marks and descriptions for these speci?cally stored materials or goods; (5) after delivery of goods, applying for materials in need to maintain the stock level according to regulations or self
by reading the folloWing detailed description of the pre
experience; and (6) running regular stocktaking to ensure the stocks complying With the records, and making notes for
nying draWings, Wherein:
reporting. [0005]
Thus, the duties of the Warehouse manager appear
to be simple, but they are considered as an essential and
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
The present invention can be more fully understood
ferred embodiments, With reference made to the accompa
[0013] FIG. 1 is a systemic block diagram shoWing archi tecture of a Warehouse management system according to the
present invention applied to suppliers and retailers;
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US 2006/0229887 A1
[0014] FIG. 2 is a systemic block diagram showing detailed architecture of the Warehouse management system according to the present invention applied to suppliers and
retailers; [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram shoWing an example of a supplier management interface provided by the Ware house management system in the present invention corre sponding to a supplier; [0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram shoWing an example of a retailer management interface provided by the Ware house management system in the present invention corre sponding to a retailer; and
[0017] FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C) are block diagrams shoWing various embodiments of the Warehouse manage ment system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS
tion of names and quantities of products being supplied by the supplier, that is, the supplier can enter names and
quantities of all products being supplied and to be sold to retailers, such as products manufactured by this supplier or
by other suppliers, through the supplier management inter face. Moreover, as shoWn in FIG. 4 of an example of a
retailer management interface, this retailer management interface alloWs the retailer to enter information such as
incoming products, output products, product replacement, product status adjustment, Warehouse arrangement and stocktaking, that is, the retailer can enter information
through the retailer management interface according to the status of products and Warehouses.
[0021] The foregoing information of incoming products refer to quantities of incoming products, i.e. the quantities of products the retailer purchases from the supplier, such that correspondingly the quantities of such products Would be decreased in the supplier, and stock quantities of these products in a Warehouse of the retailer are increased. The
invention. These draWings are used in conjunction With the
foregoing information of output products refers to quantities of sold products, i.e. the quantities of products sold by the retailer, such that correspondingly stock quantities of these
folloWing detailed description to recite preferred embodi
products in the retailer’s Warehouse Would be decreased.
ments of the Warehouse management system in the present invention. It is to be noted that the draWings are simpli?ed schematic diagrams only shoWing the basic structure of the
quantities of replaced products, i.e. the quantities of replaced
[0018] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C) illustrate a Warehouse management system 1 proposed in the present
The foregoing information of product replacement refers to products that are sold from the retailer to clients, and every
the Warehouse management system may be more complex in
time of replacement Would correspondingly increase and decrease stock quantities of these products in the retailer’s Warehouse. The foregoing information of product status
actual implementation.
adjustment refers to a status of products, Which is the status
[0019] The Warehouse management system I in the present
of products in the retailer’s Warehouse, Wherein such status can be speci?ed according to a user’s requirement, including
present invention. Thus, the draWings only provide archi tecture relating to the present invention, and con?guration of
invention is applied in data processing devices under a netWork environment The data processing devices can be desktop computers, notebook computers, servers, or Work stations, etc. The Warehouse management system 1 is used
to integrate Warehouses of suppliers and retailers under the
e.g. normal, inferior, damaged and other items. The forego ing information of Warehouse arrangement refers to a usage status of Warehouses of the retailer, that is, if a retailer oWns a plurality of Warehouses, a part of products can be relocated from one Warehouse to another. The foregoing information
netWork environment and establish an information commu
of stocktaking refers to actual stock quantities of products of
nication channel betWeen suppliers and retailers. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram shoWing architecture of the Warehouse management system 1 in the present invention applied to suppliers and retailers. As shoWn in FIG. 1, the Warehouse management system 1 includes a logic management module
the retailer, that is, the stock quantities of a part of or all products in the Warehouse are checked to replace the stock
10 for alloWing at least one supplier 50 and at least one retailer 60 to enter information; a data storage module 20 for
storing the information; an information management module 30 for synchronously updating the information to the data storage module 20; and an information display module 40 for synchronously displaying the information on the data
processing devices (not shoWn). [0020] The logic management module 10, as shoWn in FIG. 2, includes a supplier management interface 100 corresponding to the supplier 50, and a retailer management interface 101 corresponding to the retailer 60. The supplier management interface 100 is for alloWing the supplier 50 to enter information, and the retailer management interface 1 01 is for alloWing the retailer 60 to enter information. That is, the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 can enter information
respectively through the supplier management interface 100
quantities in the system With the actual stock quantities of
products. [0022]
The data storage module 20, as shoWn in FIG. 2,
is an information storage database used to store the infor
mation entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 respectively. [0023] The information management module 30, as shoWn in FIG. 2, is used to synchronously update the information, Which is entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 respectively, to the data storage module 20. That is, the information entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier man agement interface 100 and the retailer management interface
101 respectively Would synchronously update information stored in the data storage module 20. For example, the
and the retailer management interface 101 provided by the
supplier 50 adds a neW product to be sold to the retailer 60, and enters information of the name and quantity of this
logic management module 10. As shoWn in FIG. 3 of an
product through the supplier management interface 100,
example of a supplier management interface, this supplier
such that the information management module 30 Would synchronously update the entered information to the data
management interface alloWs the supplier to enter informa
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US 2006/0229887 A1
storage module 20, and thus the name and quantity of the product are added to the data storage module 20.
[0024] The information display module 40 is used to display the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 on the data processing
the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modi?cations and similar arrangements. The scope of the
claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpre tation so as to encompass all such modi?cations and similar
devices 500, 600 respectively, and synchronously display
arrangements.
the information, Which is entered by the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 through the supplier management interface 100
What is claimed is:
and the retailer management interface 101 respectively, on
the data processing devices 500, 600. In other Words, the information display module 40 displays the supplier man agement interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 on the data processing devices 500, 600 of the supplier 50 and retailer 60 respectively, such that the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 can use the supplier management interface 100 and the retailer management interface 101 that are displayed on screens of the data processing devices 500, 600 to enter information respectively; and this information is
synchronously displayed by the information display module 40 on the screens of the data processing devices 500, 600 of
the supplier 50 and retailer 60 respectively, such that the supplier 50 and the retailer 60 can read the information shoWn on the screens of the data processing devices 500, 600. The information shoWn on the screen of the data
processing device 500 at the supplier 50 includes product related information of the supplier 50, Which can be speci ?ed according to the user’s requirement, such as product
names, product quantities, and stock quantities of products in a retailer’s Warehouse, etc. The information shoWn on the screen of the data processing device 600 at the retailer 60
includes product and Warehouse related information of the retailer 60, Which can be speci?ed according to the user’s
requirement, such as incoming products, output products, product replacement, product status adjustment, Warehouse arrangement, stocktaking and so on for the retailer 60.
[0025] FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C) are used to further clarify the application scope of the Warehouse management system in the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5(A), a
supplier 5011 provides products to a plurality of retailers 60a, 60b, 600 through the Warehouse management system 111 in the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5(B), a retailer 60d
purchases products from a plurality of suppliers 50b, 50c, 50d through the Warehouse management system 1b in the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5(C), a plurality of
suppliers 50e, 50f 50g provide products to a plurality of retailers 60e, 60f 60g at the same time through the Ware house management system 1c 1 in the present invention. From these embodiments shown in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and
5(C), it is realiZed that the Warehouse management system in the present invention has a Wide application range, Which
not only increases commercial opportunities but also enhances economic bene?ts
[0026] By the foregoing description and draWings, it is clearly understood that the Warehouse management system in the present invention utiliZes the logic management module for alloWing suppliers and retailers to enter infor mation, and also utiliZes the information display module to synchronously display the information at the suppliers and retailers, such that integration of Warehouse management can be achieved, and management ef?ciency and economic bene?ts are enhanced.
1. A Warehouse management system applied in data processing devices under a netWork environment, for inte
grating Warehouses of suppliers and retailers under the netWork environment to provide an information communi
cation channel betWeen the suppliers and retailers, the
Warehouse management system comprising: a logic management module comprising a supplier man agement interface corresponding to at least one sup
plier, and a retailer management interface correspond ing to at least one retailer, Wherein the supplier management interface alloWs the supplier to enter information, and the retailer management interface alloWs the retailer to enter information; and
an information display module for displaying the supplier management interface and the retailer management interface on the data processing devices respectively, and synchronously displaying the information, Which is entered by the supplier and the retailer through the supplier management interface and the retailer man
agement interface respectively, on the data processing devices. 2. The Warehouse management system of claim 1, further
comprising: a data storage module for storing the information entered
by the supplier and the retailer through the supplier management interface and the retailer management interface respectively; and an information management module for synchronously
updating the information, Which is entered by the supplier and the retailer through the supplier manage ment interface and the retailer management interface respectively, to the data storage module. 3. The Warehouse management system of claim 1, Wherein the supplier management interface alloWs the sup plier to enter the information of names and quantities of
products being supplied by the supplier. 4. The Warehouse management system of claim 1, Wherein the retailer management interface alloWs the retailer to enter the information including at least one of incoming
products, output products, product replacement, product status adjustment, Warehouse arrangement and stocktaking. 5. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of incoming products refers to
quantities of the products being purchased by the retailer from the supplier. 6. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of output products refers to quan
tities of the products being sold by the retailer. 7. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of product replacement refers to
quantities of replaced products being sold by the retailer.
[0027] The invention has been described using exemplary
8. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of product status adjustment refers
preferred embodiments. HoWever, it is to be understood that
to a status of products in a Warehouse of the retailer.
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US 2006/0229887 A1
9. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of Warehouse arrangement refers to
15. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of incoming products refers to
a usage status of Warehouses of the retailer.
quantities of the products being purchased by the retailer
10. The Warehouse management system of claim 4, Wherein the information of stocktaking refers to actual stock quantities of products of the retailer. 11. The Warehouse management system of claim 1,
from the supplier. 16. The Warehouse management system of claim 14,
Wherein the information display module displays product related information of the supplier on the data processing device at the supplier. 12. The Warehouse management system of claim 11, Wherein the product related information of the supplier
Wherein the information of output products refers to quan
tities of the products being sold by the retailer. 17. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of product replacement refers to
quantities of replaced products being sold by the retailer.
tities in a retailer’s Warehouse of products being supplied by
18. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of product status adjustment refers
the supplier.
to a status of products in a Warehouse of the retailer.
includes at least one of names, quantities, and stock quan
13. The Warehouse management system of claim 1,
19. The Warehouse management system of claim 14,
Wherein the information display module displays product
Wherein the information of Warehouse arrangement refers to
and Warehouse related information of the retailer on the data
a usage status of Warehouses of the retailer.
processing device at the retailer. 14. The Warehouse management system of claim 13, Wherein the product and Warehouse related information of the retailer includes at least one of incoming products,
output products, product replacement, product status adjust ment, Warehouse arrangement and stocktaking.
20. The Warehouse management system of claim 14, Wherein the information of stocktaking refers to actual stock
quantities of products of the retailer.
