Abstract: A communication system includes a number of devices interconnected by a communication network and each operable to communicate with each other using a text-based communication protocol that provides for the exchange of markup language documents. Each of the devices includes a document interface capable of generating, transmitting, receiving, and processing markup language documents including multiple files.

Abstract: A method for resource management and planning includes receiving manufacturing information associated with multiple distributed enterprise facilities; generating manufacturing plans based at least in part on the manufacturing information; receiving feedback regarding execution of the manufacturing plans; identifying at least one of the manufacturing plans describing manufacturing activities planned to occur within a fixed time period in the future; modifying the identified manufacturing plan based on the feedback; and communicating the modified manufacturing plan to the distributed enterprise facilities.

Abstract: A method for managing manufacturing resources and planning manufacturing activities includes tracking enterprise information detailing business records for an enterprise, the enterprise information including real-time information regarding resources, production, and inventory related to production of a product; communicating with a resource management system storing the enterprise information and multiple affiliated organizations using disparate protocols; translating communications between the protocols to facilitate transfer of data between the resource management system and the affiliated organizations; loading selected portions of the enterprise information into a scaled memory; and generating, in real-time, production plans based on the selected portions of the enterprise information loaded into the scaled memory to affect manufacturing and shipping of goods and materials.

Abstract: A method for utilizing date sets in a manufacturing system includes receiving an order associated with a manufacturing activity, identifying steps involved in the manufacturing activity, and formulating multiple schedules, where each schedule associates the steps with dates. The method also includes selecting one of the schedules for the manufacturing activity.

Abstract: A communication system includes a number of devices interconnected by a communication network and each operable to communicate with each other using a text-based communication protocol that provides for the exchange of markup language documents. Each of the devices includes a document interface capable of sequencing documents for communication to other devices and for enforcing sequencing of received documents.

Abstract: A communication system includes a number of devices interconnected by a communication network and each operable to communicate with each other using a text-based communication protocol that provides for the exchange of markup language documents. Each of the devices is further capable of segmenting large communications into multiple document segments for communication to other devices. The devices are further capable of reassembling received document segments into original documents.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing resource planning includes identifying multiple logical entities within a manufacturing facility; receiving supply information for each of the logical entities, the supply information for a particular logical entity including current and projected future inventories of resources assigned to the particular logical entity for use in manufacturing products; receiving demand information associated with manufacture of a requested product; identifying resources for use in manufacturing the requested product; and scheduling manufacture of the requested product using the identified resources at least one of the logical entities at least partially based on the supply information and the demand information.

Abstract: A method for item substitution in a manufacturing process includes receiving an order for manufacture of a product and generating a first electronic bill of material for the product. The first electronic bill of material identifies multiple primary components to be assembled into the product. The method also includes identifying a trigger initiating substitution of one of the primary components, identifying multiple potential substitute components in response to the trigger, and identifying a substitution rule governing selection of one of the potential substitute components. The method also includes selecting one of the potential substitute components according to the substitution rule, substituting the selected one of the potential substitute components for the one primary component, and generating a second electronic bill of material for the product. The second electronic bill of material identifies the selected one of the potential substitute components.

Abstract: A method for resource management and planning includes loading into memory near real-time information associated with multiple enterprise and affiliated production facilities, the near real-time information including demand information indicating demand for a product, production information indicating scheduled production of the product at the production facilities, and inventory information indicating inventories of the product at the production facilities; receiving a current order for the product; identifying resources for use in producing the product; determining availabilities of the resources using the near real-time information loaded into memory; and generating a production plan for production of the product using the availabilities of the resources.

Abstract: A system for utilizing multi-level shipping instructions in a manufacturing system includes multiple elements. A first element can receive an order and generate an electronic, text-based file that includes shipping instructions identifying a product. The first element can also identify a second element based on the order and transmit the file to the second element. The second element can receive the file and identify manufacturing activities based on the shipping instructions. The second element can also determine whether at least one downstream element is involved in the manufacture of the product. For each downstream element determined to be involved in the manufacture of the product, the second element can determine whether the shipping instructions are inappropriate for the downstream element, modify the shipping instructions if the shipping instructions are inappropriate for the downstream element, and transmit the shipping instructions to the downstream element.