Abstract: A computer implemented method of product ordering and inventory repositioning for a promotion in a supply chain management system utilizing a network is provided. The method comprises obtaining via the network from a plurality of stores in a first region, each store associated with a respective distribution center within the first region, point of sale data for a short period of time relative to a length of time allotted for a current product sales promotion. A computer calculation is caused of a product demand level for stores associated with at least one distribution center for the current product sales promotion based on an outlook model and the point of sale data. A computer calculation is caused of a product amount for the at least one distribution center based at least in part on the product demand level for stores associated with the at least one distribution center. An electronic action is taken based on the product amount for the at least one distribution center.

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 risk management in a supply chain management framework. A supply chain manager is appointed for at least one buying supply chain participant. The supply chain manager is given authority to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant. One or more supply agreements are entered into for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price. Periodically, a commodity position price is established through the supply chain manager.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for handling contracts in a supply chain management framework. One of a plurality of contracts is selected. The selected contract template is transmitted to a supply chain participant. Data is received from supply chain participants utilizing a network. This data relates to the sale of products by the supply chain participants. The contract templates are then enforced in accordance with the data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for risk management in a supply chain management framework. A supply chain manager is appointed for at least one buying supply chain participant. The supply chain manager is given authority to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant. One or more supply agreements are entered into for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price. Periodically, a commodity position price is established through the supply chain manager.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of product ordering and inventory repositioning for a promotion in a supply chain management system utilizing a network is provided. The method comprises obtaining via the network from a plurality of stores in a first region, each store associated with a respective distribution center within the first region, point of sale data for a short period of time relative to a length of time allotted for a current product sales promotion. A computer calculation is caused of a product demand level for stores associated with at least one distribution center for the current product sales promotion based on an outlook model and the point of sale data. A computer calculation is caused of a product amount for the at least one distribution center based at least in part on the product demand level for stores associated with the at least one distribution center. Am electronic action is taken based on the product amount for the at least one distribution center.

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 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 handling contracts in a supply chain management framework. One of a plurality of contracts is selected. The selected contract template is transmitted to a supply chain participant. Data is received from supply chain participants utilizing a network. This data relates to the sale of products by the supply chain participants. The contract templates are then enforced in accordance with 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 providing local distribution committees in a supply chain management framework. A plurality of distributors of a supply chain are registered. Through a supply chain manager, a local distribution committee is organized and assigned for each distributor. Data from a plurality of outlets of the supply chain is subsequently received utilizing a network. This received data relates to the sale of products by the outlets. The data is then transmitted to each of the distributors via the corresponding local distribution committee utilizing the network.

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 generating revenue. A supply chain manager is appointed for a buying supply chain participant. Authority is granted to the supply chain manager to negotiate supply agreements between a selling supply chain participant and the supply chain manager on behalf of the buying supply chain participant. The supply agreement is entered into with the supply agreement having at least the following provisions: i) establishing a contract price for the good, and ii) requiring the selling supply chain participant to bill the buying supply chain participant at an invoice price to be determined by the supply chain manager. An invoice price for the good is established at various times during the term of the supply agreement.

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 collecting data to forecast sales in a supply chain. Utilizing a network data is received from a plurality of stores of a supply chain that relates to an amount of goods sold by the stores. Information is also collected that relates to a plurality of variables such as weather, competitor activity, a marketing calendar, cyclical sales, historical performance of products and/or elements of marketing support. The data is processed based on the information relating to the variables and a forecast of sales is generated based on the processing.

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 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 risk management in a supply chain management framework. A supply chain manager is appointed for at least one buying supply chain participant. The supply chain manager is given authority to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant. One or more supply agreements are entered into for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price. Periodically, a commodity position price is established through the supply chain manager.