Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for normalizing data in a supply chain management framework. A plurality of data types are defined with each data type including parameters. Data is received utilizing a network from a plurality of point of sale outlets of a supply chain that relates to an amount of goods sold by the point of sale outlets. A format of the data is verified against the parameters of the defined data types and any discrepancies between the format of the data and the parameters of the defined data types are corrected for facilitating an analysis of the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for cost reporting using a network-based supply chain management framework. Data is received utilizing a network. This data relates to goods required by a plurality of stores including a product identifier parameter, and a first cost parameter. A second cost parameter associated with a franchise mark-up is also received so that a total cost can be calculated based on the first cost parameter and the second cost parameter. The total cost is displayed utilizing the network with TCP/IP protocol.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for forecasting the sale of goods. Data is received utilizing a network from a plurality of point of sale outlets of a supply chain where the data relates to an amount of goods sold by the point of sale outlets. The data is checked for errors. Each detected error is identified as either a point of sale set-up error, a point of sale entry error, a back office error, a polling error, or a menu item mapping error so that the data can be corrected using the identification.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for order confirmation in a supply chain management framework. A network is utilized to collect from a plurality of stores of a supply chain data relating to the sale of goods by the stores. Access is allowed to the data utilizing a network-based interface. Electronic order forms are generated based on the data for ordering goods from a plurality of distributors of the supply chain. These electronic order forms request a confirmation of the receipt of the electronic order forms. A determination is made as to whether the confirmation of the receipt of the electronic order forms is received from the distributors. If it is determined that the confirmation of the receipt of the electronic order forms was not from the distributors, then an alert is generated.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for advertising in a network-based supply chain management framework in which data is received utilizing a network from a plurality of stores of a supply chain. A user is allowed to access the data utilizing a network-based interface. The user accessing the network-based interface is identified and advertising is presented to the user in accordance with the identification.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing an electronics and appliances supply chain utilizing a network. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of electronics and appliances outlets of an electronics and appliances supply chain in which the data relates to the sale of electronics and appliances by the electronics and appliances outlets. An electronic order form is generated based on the data for ordering electronics and appliances from an electronics and appliances distributor of the electronics and appliances supply chain. The data is transmitted via the network to the electronics and appliances distributor of the electronics and appliances supply chain. The data is also transmitted to an electronics and appliances supplier of the electronics and appliances supply chain utilizing the network. Additionally, activity in the electronics and appliances supply chain is forecast utilizing the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for analysis creation utilizing a supply chain graphical user interface. A graphical user interface is utilized to select between a plurality of options with each option corresponding to a separate technique of creating an analysis. A new analysis is generated upon the selection of a first of the options. Upon the selection of a second of the options, a previous analysis is edited. Also, upon the selection of a third of the options, a bid proposal is integrated with an integrated analysis.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing a machinery supply chain utilizing a network. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of machinery outlets of a machinery supply chain in which the data relates to the sale of machinery by the machinery outlets. An electronic order form is generated based on the data for ordering machinery from a machinery distributor of the machinery supply chain. The data is transmitted via the network to the machinery distributor of the machinery supply chain. The data is also transmitted to a machinery supplier of the machinery supply chain utilizing the network. Additionally, activity in the machinery supply chain is forecast utilizing the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for governing a supply chain consortium utilizing a network where an algorithm that is acceptable to each of a plurality of distributors/suppliers is determined. A contract is then established that requires a supply chain manager to manage the distributors/suppliers utilizing the algorithm. The distributors/suppliers are then selected for operating in the supply chain utilizing the algorithm and supply chain data gathered utilizing a network. The supply chain manager is allowed to manage the supply chain utilizing the supply chain data. In such an embodiment, the contract may allow the supply chain manager to deviate from the algorithm a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for navigating a user in a network-based supply chain management interface. A plurality of stores, distributors and suppliers of a supply chain are registered utilizing the Internet. Each of the stores, distributors and suppliers is assigned an identifier. When a request (which includes an identifier) is received from a user for access to a database utilizing a first web-page, the user is identified as a store, distributor and/or supplier using the identifier. A second web-page is displayed if the user is identified as a store. A third web-page is displayed if the user is identified as a distributor. A fourth web-page is displayed if the user is identified as a supplier.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for providing a distributor interface. Data is received from a plurality of stores of a supply chain utilizing a network. This date relates to an amount of goods sold by the stores and is aggregated in a database. Upon receiving a request which includes a plurality of distributor parameters from a distributor, information is extracted from the database relevant to the distributor parameters in response to the request. The information is then transmitted from the database to the distributor utilizing the network and an amount of supplies purchased in correlation to the production of the goods is adjusted based on the information.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for monitoring distributor activity in a supply chain management framework. Data is received from at least one store of a supply chain utilizing a network. This data relates to the sale of goods by the store. Electronic order forms are generated based on the data for ordering goods from a plurality of distributors of the supply chain. The generated electronic order forms are sent to the distributors so that the goods are delivered to the stores. The electronic order forms for each of the distributors are compared for monitoring the reliance of the store on each distributor.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for providing network-based supply chain communication between stores, distributors, suppliers, a supply chain manager, and an office of the supply chain manager. Invoice level sales data is transmitted from the supplier to the supply chain manager utilizing a network. Gross purchase data is sent from the distributors to the supply chain manager utilizing the network. Daily sales data is communicated from the stores to the office of the supply chain manager utilizing the network and total menu item sales data is transmitted from the office of the supply chain manager to the supply chain manager utilizing the network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for monitoring supplier activity in a supply chain management framework. Data relating to the sale of goods is received from at least one store of a supply chain utilizing a network. Electronic order forms are generated based on the data for ordering goods from a plurality of suppliers of the supply chain. The electronic order forms are sent to the suppliers so that the goods are supplied to the stores. The electronic order forms for each of the suppliers are then compared for monitoring the reliance of the store on each supplier.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing a convenience store supply chain utilizing a network. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of convenience store outlets of a convenience store supply chain in which the data relates to the sale of convenience store by the convenience store outlets. An electronic order form is generated based on the data for ordering convenience store from a convenience store distributor of the convenience store supply chain. The data is transmitted via the network to the convenience store distributor of the convenience store supply chain. The data is also transmitted to a convenience store supplier of the convenience store supply chain utilizing the network. Additionally, activity in the convenience store supply chain is forecast utilizing the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing an office product supply chain utilizing a network. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of office product outlets of an office product supply chain in which the data relates to the sale of office product by the office product outlets. An electronic order form is generated based on the data for ordering office product from an office product distributor of the office product supply chain. The data is transmitted via the network to the office product distributor of the office product supply chain. The data is also transmitted to an office product supplier of the office product supply chain utilizing the network. Additionally, activity in the office product supply chain is forecast utilizing the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing an entertainment media supply chain utilizing a network. A network is utilized to receive data from a plurality of entertainment media outlets of an entertainment media supply chain in which the data relates to the sale of entertainment media by the entertainment media outlets. An electronic order form is generated based on the data for ordering entertainment media from an entertainment media distributor of the entertainment media supply chain. The data is transmitted via the network to the entertainment media distributor of the entertainment media supply chain. The data is also transmitted to an entertainment media supplier of the entertainment media supply chain utilizing the network. Additionally, activity in the entertainment media supply chain is forecast utilizing the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for imposing regional restrictions in a supply chain management framework. A plurality of distribution centers of a supply chain are displayed utilizing a graphical user interface. A free on board (FOB) point associated with a region in which the distribution centers reside is identified. The distribution centers are then forced to use the FOB in response to a user action utilizing the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for a secure supply chain management framework. A plurality of users including suppliers, distributors, and stores of a supply chain are registered utilizing a network. The registered users are maintained on a list. Data from a plurality of stores of the supply chain is collected utilizing the network. The list is updated to add, edit, and delete the users utilizing the network. When a request (which includes an identifier) for access to the data is received utilizing the network, the identifier is compared against the list and a network-based interface is displayed for allowing access to the data upon the successful comparison of the identifier against the list.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for managing a supply chain utilizing a network. Data is recieved from a plurality of restaurants of a supply chain utilizing a network. This data relates to the sales of goods by the restaurants. An electronic order form for ordering a plurality of goods is then generated based on the data. The electronic order form is subsequently transmitted to at least one supply chain participant of the supply chain utilizing the network. Further, information relating to at least one of operations in the above process for managing the supply chain is tracked by the restaurant.