Abstract: A system and method for supply chain management that may include a product hierarchy, a location hierarchy, and/or a time hierarchy; metadata that describes data about the system, located throughout the system; and a model that defines the structure of the metadata, wherein the system may be operable to control distribution of products throughout the supply chain.

Abstract: A system and method for replenishing product in an inventory of a distribution network having a plurality of levels, wherein the system and method may include determining an independent quantity demanded of a product at a first-level entity of the distribution network associated with customer demand directly from the first-level entity; determining a dependent quantity demanded of the product at the first-level entity associated with overall demand from the distribution network apportioned to the first-level entity; summing the quantities demanded in the preceding steps to determine a total quantity demanded for the first-level entity; repeating the preceding actions for levels of the distribution network eligible for processing up to a highest-level entity of the distribution network, thereby generating a plurality of quantity-demanded sums for the respective entities; and calculating a total quantity demanded of the product for the distribution network by summing the quantity-demanded sums of the respective