SBIR/STTR Phase II: Supply Chain Management via the World Wide Web

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will further develop a new Flow Path Management System (FPMS) representing an innovation in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) that is more effective than existing supply-chain management software paradigms, incorporates "lean manufacturing" principles, and is more available to smaller manufacturing companies than existing systems in that it can be delivered via the World Wide Web. The software has the potential to reduce inventory by 20% or more in companies with complicated manufacturing operations and/or supply chains. In addition, the software can recommend supply chain planning policies that increase throughput, decrease cycle times, and improve customer service. The commercialization strategy is to use distribution channels: (1) on-site Intranet installations at large companies (2) delivery as a web service via the Internet for smaller companies, and (3) licensing the algorithms to larger ERP/SCM vendors for incorporation in their software suites