7,210,624

Redistribution of parts in a distribution network

Issued:  May 1, 2007

Assignee:  i2 Technologies US, Inc. (Dallas, TX)

Inventors:  Birjandi; Rosa H. (Newton, MA), Bakkalbasi; Omer (Mahopac, NY), Veerappanaicker; Dharmaraj (Quincy, MA), Shapiro; Joel A. (Watertown, MA)

Abstract:  Redistributing parts includes defining locations. An actual inventory of parts is established among the locations, and a desired allocation of the parts is established among the locations. A demand for the parts at each location is determined using the actual inventory and the desired allocation. Paths are determined, where a path transfers an excess part from one location to another location. A transfer function describing a cost of transferring the excess part along the paths is generated. The transfer function is optimized to achieve the desired allocation of the excess parts at a minimum cost.