Abstract: An apparatus for supply-chain management includes memory storing application software coupled with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and processing circuitry configured execute the application software. Executing the application software causes the apparatus to generate a graphical user interface (GUI). The apparatus initiates a planning module of the GUI to build a portfolio including products and a customer, select a product, input a purchase plan, perform an analysis of the purchase plan, and output the purchase plan to a collaboration module. The apparatus initiates the collaboration module to generate a supply plan based on the purchase plan, compare the purchase plan and the supply plan to data received from the ERP system, modify the purchase plan and the supply plan, and output the modified plans to a deviation management module. The apparatus initiates the deviation management module to determine whether the modified purchase plan should be adjusted.

Abstract: A method is provided for inventory management from an apparatus with application software coupled with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and a back-office support system via respective middleware. The method includes the apparatus accessing and receiving a bill of lading from the ERP system and executing a questionnaire in a graphical user interface (GUI) to gather user input that indicates a quantity of received products relative to a quantity of the shipped products. The questionnaire includes logic that controls which questions are presented in the GUI and in what sequence. The apparatus determines if the quantities of received and shipped products match based on the bill of lading and the user input. And the apparatus records the receipt of the shipment in the ERP system or sends a notification to the back-office support system, depending on whether the quantities match or deviate from one another.

Abstract: A method is provided for inventory management from an apparatus with application software coupled with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and a back-office support system via respective middleware. The method includes the apparatus accessing and receiving a bill of lading from the ERP system, and executing a questionnaire in a graphical user interface (GUI) to gather user input that indicates a quantity of received products relative to a quantity of the shipped products. The questionnaire includes logic that controls which questions are presented in the GUI and in what sequence. The apparatus determines if the quantities of received and shipped products match based on the bill of lading and the user input. And the apparatus records the receipt of the shipment in the ERP system, or sends a notification to the back-office support system, depending on whether the quantities match or deviate from one another.