U.S. patent application number 13/082645 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for method for sourcing replacement parts.
This patent application is currently assigned to PARTSSOURCE, LLC. Invention is credited to Dan Betting, A. RAY DALTON.
Application Number | 20110184927 13/082645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38225831 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110184927 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DALTON; A. RAY ; et
al. |
July 28, 2011 |
METHOD FOR SOURCING REPLACEMENT PARTS
Abstract
A method of sourcing a piece of equipment or a replacement part
includes preparing a part request record, providing a part source
database, searching part source records in the database according
to one or more search parameters associated with the part, part
requestor or part source, creating a prospective part source list,
and prioritizing the part source list by one or more indexing
fields, to identify sources predicted to have the part at the best
combination of quality, price, and other similar factors. A method
of updating the indexing fields is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
DALTON; A. RAY; (Hudson,
OH) ; Betting; Dan; (Columbia Station, OH) |
Assignee: |
PARTSSOURCE, LLC
TWINSBURG
OH
|
Family ID: |
38225831 |
Appl. No.: |
13/082645 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11649518 |
Jan 3, 2007 |
7945548 |
|
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13082645 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
707/706 ;
707/E17.014 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/087 20130101;
G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 10/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/706 ;
707/E17.014 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. An electronic device for sourcing a medical part, the device
comprising: an electronic sourcing database of medical part source
records, wherein the medical part source records includes multiple
indexing fields; a search engine for searching the medical part
source records according to at least a first search parameter to
create a list of prospective medical part sources; an algorithmic
prioritizing device for prioritizing the list of prospective
medical part sources based on at least two of the indexing fields;
an algorithmic prioritizing device for prioritizing the prospective
medical part sources based on at least one of the indexing fields,
then prioritizing the prospective medical part sources based on a
quality assurance rating of the prospective medical part sources,
wherein the quality assurance rating is measured with respect to at
least a first quality assurance indexing field wherein the at least
a first quality assurance indexing field is selected from the group
comprising timeliness of delivery of parts by the prospective
medical part sources, part accuracy, and part quality, wherein the
list is prioritized based on a predictive measure of which
prospective part source is most likely to be able to provide a
part; an electronic ordering device for ordering an associated
part; and, a network connection between the associated user and the
database, permitting the associated user to order the part.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein calculation of the quality
assurance rating includes an average of field compliance factors
calculated with respect to at least first and second quality
assurance indexing fields, wherein the prospective part sources can
obtain different ratings in different categories, wherein the
prospective medical part sources are prioritized based on at least
the first preferred variable indexing field.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the multiple indexing fields
comprises at least four indexing fields, wherein the first indexing
field is a contact field, a second indexing field is either at
least a first part ID field or at least a first part type field,
third and fourth indexing fields are selected from the group
comprising at least a first preferred variable field and at least a
first quality assurance field.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least a first search
parameter is a parameter selected from the group consisting of
medical part model number, medical part serial number, medical part
manufacturer, medical equipment model number, medical equipment
serial number, and medical equipment manufacturer.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the prospective part sources can
be selected in a preferential order, wherein the first preferred
variable field is chosen from the group comprising a pricing
arrangement between the prospective part source and an associated
user, an exclusive partnership arrangement between the prospective
part source and the associated user, a warranty arrangement between
the prospective part source and the associated user, and a shipping
arrangement between the prospective part source and the associated
user.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device further comprises: an
algorithm for receiving data regarding the part sources in order to
provide prioritizing.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the device further comprises:
means for shipping the part to the associated user; and means for
automatically selectively updating the indexing fields of the part
source record of the at least a first part source contacted.
8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a global computer
network for contacting at least a first part source from the list
of prospective part sources to order the part.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the field compliance factors are
automatically updated.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the calculation of the field
compliance factor includes a number of positive transactions with
the part source and a total number of transactions with the part
source, wherein the part source is a vendor of parts.
11. A method of sourcing a medical part, the method comprising the
steps of: creating an electronic part request record, wherein the
part request record includes at least a first parameter selected
from a group consisting of part model number, part serial number,
part manufacturer, equipment model number, equipment serial number
and equipment manufacturer; providing an electronic sourcing
database of medical part source records, wherein the medical part
source records include multiple indexing fields; using a network
search engine to search the medical part source records according
to the at least a first search parameter; electronically
prioritizing, using at least a first algorithm, a list of
prospective medical part sources based on at least two of the
indexing fields; prioritizing, using the at least a first
algorithm, the prospective medical part sources based on a part
type or part ID indexing field; then further prioritizing the
prospective part sources based on at least a first preferred
variable indexing field; then further prioritizing the prospective
medical part sources based on a quality assurance rating, wherein
the quality assurance rating is measured with respect to at least
the first quality assurance field wherein the at least a first
quality assurance indexing field is selected from the group
consisting of timeliness of delivery of a medical part by the
medical part source, part accuracy, part cost, and part quality,
wherein the list is prioritized based on a predictive measure of
which prospective part source is most likely to be able to provide
a part; providing an electronic ordering device, such that an
associated user can order an associated part; and, providing a
network connection between the associated user and the database,
thereby permitting the associated user to order the part.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the prospective part sources
can be selected in a preferential order, wherein the first
preferred variable field is chosen from the group comprising a
pricing arrangement between the prospective part source and an
associated user, an exclusive partnership arrangement between the
prospective part source and the associated user, a warranty
arrangement between the prospective part source and the associated
user, and a shipping arrangement between the prospective part
source and the associated user.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises
the step of: providing an algorithm for receiving data regarding
the part sources in order to provide prioritizing.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises
the steps of: providing means for shipping the part to the
associated user; contacting at least a first medical part source
from the list of prospective medical part sources to order the
medical part; and automatically selectively updating the indexing
fields of the part source record of the at least a first part
source contacted.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein, following the step of creating
a part request, the method further includes: providing a parts
inventory; and searching the parts inventory according to the at
least a first parameter.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of selectively
updating the indexing fields of the part source record of the at
least a first part source contacted involves the step of updating
the quality assurance rating of the at least a first quality
assurance field.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the part request record is
remotely, electronically accessible to an associated purchaser.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the prospective source list
occurs according to pre-selected conditions programmed into an
operating program.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the prospective source list is
prioritized into the group comprising OEM class, partner class,
first call class, preferred class, standard class, and last option
class.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority
to, U.S. Ser. No. 11/649,518, entitled METHOD FOR SOURCING
REPLACEMENT PARTS, filed Jan. 3, 2007, which is incorporated herein
by reference.
I. BACKGROUND
[0002] A. Field
[0003] This invention pertains to the art of methods and
apparatuses for locating and purchasing replacement parts,
including replacement parts for health care related equipment.
[0004] B. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Hospitals, health care facilities, clinics, and other
similar health care service centers have access to a wide variety
of medical equipment used for diagnosing and treating patients.
Such equipment may include heart rate monitors, ultrasound
machines, magnetic resonance imaging machines, CT-scanners,
electronic thermometers, x-ray machines, mammography machines,
incubators, and the like, as well as laboratory equipment, such as
spectrometers, microscopes, centrifuges, and the like. Even the
smallest clinic will have several pieces of equipment from several
different manufacturers. This equipment typically requires periodic
maintenance, including the replenishment of consumables and the
replacement of worn or broken parts. Servicing a wide range of
equipment from a wide range of manufacturers, distributors, and
retailers, can be a complicated and expensive process.
[0006] In many cases, machines give no warning of a breakdown and,
therefore, the associated personnel have no spare parts on hand to
make the repair. Thus, under significant time constraints to make
the machine operable, someone from the facility must quickly locate
and secure a replacement part. Often this entails contacting the
manufacturer or distributor from whom the machine was purchased.
While it is likely that the manufacturer or distributor will be
able to provide the necessary part, it is probable that the
facility will pay premium pricing for the part under those
circumstances. The facility may accept this premium pricing due to
the urgency of its need, the lack of alternative contacts, concerns
about the quality of parts from other sources, and/or the
unwillingness to investigate other options. In some instances, the
manufacturer or distributor may simply not have the part readily
available for shipping or may no longer service the machine,
particularly if the machine is an older model. In this case, the
facility would have to investigate alternative suppliers for the
part, which may take substantial time, and, may result in the
selection of an alternative supplier that has poor quality service,
parts, or pricing. Permitting the machine to remain inoperable for
extended periods of time is usually not an option.
[0007] In the end, facilities may incur substantially higher
maintenance costs due to a lack of competitive pricing and
confidence in alternative suppliers. Medical facilities are under
increasing pressure to control rising healthcare costs. If
facilities had access to multiple vendors for a particular part,
and could facilitate competitive pricing between the vendors,
facilities might be able to reduce their maintenance costs.
However, locating multiple parts vendors for each machine at a
facility is extremely difficult and merely identifying a plurality
of vendors and selecting the lowest cost option available may not
be the best solution for a facility. Unless the facility has a
developed relationship with the various vendors, it will be unable
to know whether the vendors are equal, namely whether they provide
equivalently high quality parts that are readily available, are
shipped in a timely manner, and are supported with good customer
service. Moreover, amongst various vendors, parts and associated
warranties may not be equivalent. One vendor may sell original
parts, another may sell replacement parts, another may sell
refurbished parts, and another may sell used parts. All of this
variation may create insecurity on the part of the facility to use
any vendor other than the manufacturer or distributor. However, if
the facility had access to some form of this vendor data, even be
it historical data, it could make a better decision on which vendor
to use; being able to weigh the benefits and risks associated with
each vendor, based on past transactions, in predicting the best
part to purchase under the circumstances. Thus, an informed
facility might elect to purchase a used part from a one vendor
known for having good service and quality used parts rather than a
new part from a different vendor having poor customer service and a
history of untimely shipping.
[0008] Finally, even an informed facility can find itself
overwhelmed with the number of vendors available to service a
particular part. Time may not permit contacting all of the
potential vendors to determine whether a particular vendor can
service a particular part at a particular moment subject to the
particular circumstances facing the facility. Thus, it would be
helpful if the list of available vendors could be prioritized
according to certain criteria so that the facility could be
provided an organized list in which the vendors at the top of the
list (an arbitrary, exemplary designation) are predicted, based on
measures of past transactions, to more likely be able to satisfy
the requirements of the facility at any given time, than the
vendors near the bottom of the list. In this way, the facility can
increase its chances of finding the vendor offering the best
combination of service, price, and availability with the fewest
number of attempted vendor contacts.
[0009] It would be advantageous, therefore, to provide the
healthcare field with access to a large, centralized community of
parts vendors that service a wide variety of equipment generally
found in medical facilities. It further would be advantageous if
relevant contact and transaction performance information concerning
the vendors in the community could be maintained in a centralized,
searchable database. It would additionally be advantageous if a
search of the database of vendors, using a first set of criteria,
such as part number or machine manufacturer, would return a list of
prospective vendors from the community prioritized based on a
predictive measure of which is most likely to be able to provide
the part. It would also be advantageous if the list of prospective
vendors could be further organized according to an algorithm
comprising a second set of criteria, such as vendor quality
characteristics, so as to provide a prioritized list of prospective
vendors whereby specific vendors can be selected and contacted in a
preferential order. It would further be advantageous if data from
each vendor transaction could be fed back into the algorithm
thereby influencing the prioritization of future prospective vendor
lists. The present invention provides such a method.
II. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, at least one embodiment of which will be
described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows the process flow of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of various components; and,
[0013] FIG. 3 shows financial data showing the success of the
invention.
III. SUMMARY
[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method
for locating and purchasing replacement parts for medical equipment
is taught. The method may include the steps of providing a sourcing
database of part source records. The part source records may be
records associated with sources, such as vendors, of parts and
associated equipment, and may include at least first and second,
and preferably at least third and fourth indexing fields. The first
indexing field may be a source contact field. The second indexing
field may be a part ID field or a part type field. The third and
fourth indexing fields may be preferred variable fields or quality
assurance fields, which are described in further detail below. The
method may further include searching the part source records
according to a search parameter that is associated with the part to
be sourced, such as the part model number, part serial number, part
manufacturer, associated equipment model number, associated
equipment serial number, or associated equipment manufacturer, to
create a list of prospective part sources. The method may further
include prioritizing the list of prospective part sources based on
at least two, and in other embodiments, three or more of the
indexing fields.
[0015] The method may include prioritizing the prospective part
sources based on the part type or part ID indexing field, then
further prioritizing the prospective part sources based on the
preferred variable indexing field; and then further prioritizing
the prospective part sources based on a quality assurance
rating.
[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the quality
assurance rating may be measured with respect to at least a first,
and in other embodiments, at least a second, and in still other
embodiments, more than two, quality assurance fields, and in yet
another embodiment, all of the quality assurance fields in the part
source record, which quality assurance fields may include a part
availability field, part pricing field, timeliness field, part
accuracy field, and part quality field.
[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, each quality
assurance field may give rise to a calculable quality assurance
compliance factor. The calculation of a quality assurance field
compliance factor may be the number of positive transactions in the
quality assurance field divided by the total number of transactions
with the part source.
[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the associated
quality assurance compliance factors may be selectively updated
with each transaction with a part source.
[0019] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains
upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed
specification.
IV. DESCRIPTION
[0020] One embodiment of the invention will now be described. As
described below, the exemplary embodiment refers to methods and
processes used in the selection and purchase of replacement parts
for medical equipment. It should be understood that the reference
to medical equipment is not intended to be limiting, as the
invention may be applicable to the selection and purchase of
replacement parts for other types of equipment. Furthermore, it
should be understood that the invention is suitable for selecting
and purchasing medical equipment and is not restricted simply to
sourcing replacement parts for medical equipment.
[0021] Now describing one embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a method of sourcing parts which may include the steps of
preparing a part request record, accessing a sourcing database to
create a list of prospective sources for supplying a part,
prioritizing the list of prospective sources according to a
plurality of factors, which factors are selected to create a
prioritization that predicts success in sourcing the part, and
contacting prospective sources to secure a part. The present
invention may include other steps, which will be elucidated in
further detail in the course of discussing the embodiments of the
invention herein.
[0022] Preparing a Part Request Record:
[0023] It is contemplated, in one embodiment of the invention, that
a person or facility in need of a part (the "part requester") may
create or authorize the creation of a part request record. The part
request record may be a record of information concerning the part
that needs to be sourced, and may include the model or serial
number of the part, the part manufacturer, if known, the
manufacturer of the associated equipment, and/or the model or
serial number of the associated equipment for which the part is
being purchased. The part request record may further include
information identifying the part requester, including the part
requester's address, contact, telephone number, and the like. As
noted above, the part requester may create the part request record
directly, for example by completing a form, which may be available
remotely as through an internet site. Alternatively, the part
requester may authorize the creation of a part request record
through a third party, such as through a sourcing agent, which may
have access to the sourcing database (discussed below.) The part
request record form may be an electronic form disposed in the
context of a software program, which may further incorporate the
element of the sourcing database.
[0024] Sourcing the Part:
[0025] Sourcing the part requested by the part requester may
include trying to locate the part within a parts inventory and/or
trying to locate a source for the part within the sourcing
database. In one embodiment, for example, there may exist a parts
inventory containing, for example, parts that are commonly
requested by parts requesters. The part inventory may include parts
that are difficult to source, such as parts that are no longer
available, sold, manufactured, or the like through traditional part
sources, such as may be listed in the sourcing database. It is
contemplated that the parts inventory may be maintained by the
sourcing agent. Suitable identification of the parts in the
inventory may be maintained in a parts inventory database which may
be maintained in a manner that allows the inventory to be searched
via the parts inventory database based on selected information from
the parts request record to determine if the part to be sourced is
in stock in the parts inventory. If the requested part is in the
parts inventory, the part may be sourced from the inventory and
supplied to the part requester. The process of supplying the part
from the part inventory to the part requester may involve one or
more of the steps of locating the physical part in the parts
inventory, shipping the part to the part requester, and issuing an
invoice to the part requester.
[0026] Whether or not there is an effort to source the part in a
parts inventory, it is contemplated that the method of sourcing the
part of the present invention may include the steps of accessing a
sourcing database to create a list of prospective sources suitable
for supplying a part, prioritizing the list of prospective sources
according to a plurality of factors, which factors are selected to
create a prioritization that predicts success in sourcing the part,
and contacting prospective sources to secure a part.
[0027] In accordance with the steps described above, it is
contemplated that there is created a sourcing database, which may
be created and/or maintained by the sourcing agent. The sourcing
database may be operatively accessible to the part requester,
either directly or indirectly through the sourcing agent.
[0028] The sourcing database may be a database containing a
searchable inventory of part sources. A "part source" may be any
provider of parts, including equipment. Part sources may include
vendors, distributors, manufacturers, resellers, repair shops, and
other similar outlets where parts and equipment that may be
purchased by a parts requester may be obtained. Information on each
part source may be stored in a "part source record" in the sourcing
database. The parts source record may comprise searchable data
fields. The data and text fields associated with the parts source
record may include contact fields (name, address, telephone number,
fax number), as well as other indexing fields. Indexing fields, in
addition to the contact fields, may include searchable data and
text fields containing information that may be suitable for use in
narrowing and organizing (i.e. "indexing") parts sources according
to search terms or parameters selected parts request record.
[0029] Exemplary of the type of indexing fields, there may be one
or more "part ID" fields containing information about the types of
equipment serviced and the types of parts generally available from
the source. It is known, for example, that some sources may only
offer parts for specific equipment manufacturers. In this case, the
part source record may include a part ID field that identifies the
specific equipment manufacturers supported by the source. In
another example, the source may only offer parts for a specific
type of equipment (i.e., X-ray machines) but from a wide array of
equipment manufacturers. In this case, the part source record may
include a part ID field that identifies the specific types of
equipment supported by the source. It should be noted that these
are exemplary of the types of part ID fields that may be contained
in the part source record, but is not intended to be limiting.
[0030] The part source record may include one or more "part-type"
indexing fields. A part-type field may include information about
the origin of the parts offered by the source, principally, whether
parts offered by the source are OEM or not, whether the parts are
new, used, refurbished or a combination thereof, and/or whether and
to what extent the parts may be warranted. It should be noted that
these are exemplary of the types of part-type indexing fields that
may be contained in the part source record, but is not intended to
be limiting.
[0031] The part source record may include one or more "preferred
variable" indexing fields. A preferred variable field may include
information concerning the relationship between the part source and
the sourcing agent or part requestor with respect to pricing,
availability, warranty, or the like. For example, a preferred
variable field may note the existence of a special pricing
arrangement between the sourcing agent and the part source.
Alternatively, a preferred variable field may note the existence of
an exclusive partnership arrangement between the sourcing agent and
the part source. Alternatively, a preferred variable field may note
the existence of a special warranty arrangement or shipping
arrangement. It should be noted that these are exemplary of the
types of preferred variable fields that may be contained in the
part source record, but is not intended to be limiting.
[0032] The part source record may include one or more "quality
assurance" fields. A quality assurance field may include
information relating to historical performance by the source in
supplying parts. In one embodiment, the information in the quality
assurance fields may reflect a summary of multiple or substantially
all interactions between the part source and the sourcing agent or
part requester. For example, there may be a quality assurance field
that relates to part availability, namely, reflecting the part
source's historical proclivity toward having the parts requested by
the sourcing agent or part requestor available at the time of the
request. This data may be collected by the sourcing agent or
reported by the part requester based on the part source's ability
to supply the requested part at the time the part source is
contacted with a request for the part. If the part is or is not
available from the part source, a notation may be entered in the
appropriate quality assurance field accordingly. There may be a
quality assurance field that relates to pricing, namely, are the
part source's prices generally reasonable in light of other sources
for the same part. This data may be collected, for example, in the
course of comparing prices from different part sources contacted in
relation to providing a part (as discussed below). Of course,
pricing considerations may account for differences in part type,
warranty, and the like. There may be a quality assurance field that
relates to timeliness, namely, does the part source process part
requests in a timely fashion. This data may be collected, for
example, by tracking shipping complaints from the part requester,
or by comparing the actual shipping time to the time projected by
the part source, or in comparison to the shipping times of other
similar part sources. There may be a quality assurance field that
relates to accuracy, namely, does the part source process the
correct part and/or does the part source select a suitable
replacement part in the event the originally requested part is
unavailable. This data may also be collected by tracking customer
complaints or by comparing the part shipped against the part
requested. There may be a quality assurance field that relates to
quality, namely, does the part source have parts that are of high
quality. The data may be collected by tracking part quality
complaints or warranty claims.
[0033] As noted above, the quality assurance fields may be
quantitatively evaluated on each transaction by means for example
of a simple yes or no input for each of the quality assurance
fields (i.e., was the part available, was it comparatively priced,
was it shipped on time, was the right part selected, did the part
fail in an untimely manner). Over the course of multiple
transactions with a particular part source, it will be possible to
calculate a quality assurance field compliance percentage with
respect to each quality assurance field. This compliance percentage
may be calculated as the number of positive transactions divided by
the total number of transactions.
[0034] With the various quality assurance field compliance
percentages calculated, it may be possible to calculate an overall
quality assurance compliance factor. The quality assurance
compliance factor may be comprised of a weighted or unweighted
average of all or a selected number of compliance percentages. The
sourcing agent or the parts requester may choose the respective
weights of the quality assurance factors to determine the
calculation of the quality assurance compliance factor.
[0035] Each part source may be assigned a quality assurance rating
based on its quality assurance compliance factor. For example, in
one embodiment, each part source may be identified as "exceeding",
"regularly meeting", "mostly meeting", or "rarely meeting" quality
assurance based on a comparison of the part source's overall
quality assurance compliance factor with, for example, the average
over all sources, or the average over a select subset of sources,
or over objective standards selected by the sourcing agent or the
part requester.
[0036] The combination of one or several indexing fields and the
overall quality assurance compliance factor or rating from the
parts source record, may be selected to create a source profile for
each part source. The source profile may be used to prioritize
sources to achieve a prediction on the likelihood that a source
will have the part requester's part at the time of request.
[0037] Having described, briefly, the sourcing database, the
implications of using the sourcing database and the source profile
will be described.
[0038] Accessing the Sourcing Database:
[0039] As noted above, it is contemplated that the sourcing
database may be accessible by the part requester. However, in the
preferred embodiment, the sourcing database may be accessible to
the sourcing agent. In a most preferred embodiment, the sourcing
agent may be comprised of a customer service representative and a
sourcing representative. The customer service representative may
interface with the part requester to collect information for the
part request form. The substantially completed part request form
may then be made available to the sourcing representative, who may
check the part request record against the parts inventory and/or
the sourcing database in an effort to secure sourcing of the
part.
[0040] In accessing the sourcing database, it is contemplated that
the sourcing representative will search the universe of part source
records in the sourcing database according to a first search
parameter, which may be a search parameter related to the part
being sourced, such as, for example, the model number, serial
number, or manufacturer of the part or equipment associated with
the part. Other information from the part request record may be
selected as the first search parameter. It is contemplated that the
first search parameter will limit the universe of part source
records, and thus, prospective part sources, to those known to
service the particular part, part manufacturer, or associated
equipment manufacturer, based on information in the part source
records. The list of sources identified through such a search is
referred to as a prospective source list.
[0041] Depending on the number of results returned in response to
the first search parameter, further restriction of the prospective
source list may be obtained by searching within the prospective
source list according to a second search parameter. The second
search parameter, as with the first search parameter, may be
selected from the part request record. Alternatively, the first or
second search parameter may be chosen from information associated
with the part source. For example, the first search parameter may
be selected to find all part sources that provide parts for x-ray
machines. A second search parameter may be selected to further
limit prospective source list, to those that provide parts for
x-ray machines from a specific manufacturer. A third search
parameter may be selected to further restrict the prospective
source list according to geographic region. Restricting the
prospective source list according to geographic region may be
appropriate to take advantage of faster shipping times, lower
shipping rates, or later or earlier hours of operation due to
differences in time zones. It will be noted that this is an
exemplary list of three search parameters and is not intended to be
limiting. It will be understood that other combinations of search
parameter may be selected to narrow the prospective source
list.
[0042] Prioritizing the List of Prospective Sources:
[0043] With the list of prospective part sources identified
according to one or more search parameters, it is contemplated that
the proactive source list will be prioritized according to each
part source's most updated source profile. By prioritizing the
prospective source list according to source profile, it is believed
that the prospective source list will generally distinguish those
sources that are most likely able to source the part at the best
combination of service, price, warranty and the like, from those
that are least likely to source the part or source the part
suitably. By prioritizing the prospective source list in this way,
the sourcing agent or part requester can make predictive selections
on which sources to call, from what may otherwise be a substantial
list of prospective sources.
[0044] It should be understood that the process of prioritizing the
prospective source list may occur according to pre-selected
conditions programmed into the operating program. However, in
another embodiment, the sourcing agent, which may be the sourcing
representative or the customer service representative, or the part
requester may have some control in selecting the method of
prioritization.
[0045] One method of prioritization will now be described. This
method is exemplary and is not intended to be limiting as it will
be understood that more than one method of prioritizing the
prospective source list may be selected.
[0046] In one embodiment, the prospective source list may first be
prioritized based on the indexing field of part type. Thus for
example, all part sources providing OEM parts may be prioritized
over non OEM part sources. OEM part sources may be the most likely
to be able to supply the requested part. Having delineated between
OEM and non-OEM part sources, the sources within each sub-group may
be further prioritized according to a second indexing field, which
may for example be a first preferred variable field, which may, for
example indicate the existence of a partnership agreement between
the sourcing agent and the source. The existence of a partnership
agreement may afford the sourcing agent greater confidence in the
source and its ability to supply the requested part under suitable
terms. Having prioritized the OEM sources first, followed by the
partner sources, the remaining sources (or the sources within sub
group of OEM, non-OEM partner, and non-OEM, non-partner) may be
prioritized according to a third indexing field, which may be a
second preferred variable field, such as a field that indicates the
presence of a preferred pricing arrangement between the sourcing
agent and the source. The existence of a pricing arrangement may
afford the sourcing agent greater confidence that the source will
provide the part at the best price, within each subgroup. Having
prioritized on the basis of OEM, partnership, and price, each
sub-group may further be prioritized according to its quality
assurance rating.
[0047] In accordance with this embodiment as described above, the
prospective source list may be prioritized into the following
general classes: OEM class, partner class, first call class,
preferred class, standard class, and last option class. These
classifications are arbitrary and intended only for purposes of
describing the preferred embodiment. The OEM class may include all
OEM sources. The partner class may include non-OEM sources have
partnership agreements with the sourcing agent. The remaining
classes may be defined by the quality assurance rating of the class
member sources.
[0048] In another embodiment, the prioritization of the prospective
source list may be performed according to a weighted set of the
indexing fields including the quality assurance rating of the
respective sources. For example, it may be preferable to weight the
quality assurance rating of a source equally with one or more of
its other indexing fields. Thus, for example, to may be preferable
to prioritize the prospective source list so that sources having
the highest quality assurance ratings, but no partnership agreement
are prioritized higher on the prospective source list then sources
having a partnership agreement with the sourcing agent, but lower
quality assurance ratings.
[0049] Contacting Prospective Sources to Secure a Part:
[0050] With the prospective source list prioritized, the sourcing
agent or the part requester may contact the sources to determine
the source's ability to supply the part. It should be recognized
that one benefit of prioritizing the list as described is that the
sourcing agent is predicted to have more success sourcing the part
more quickly by contacting those sources near the proverbial top of
the list, and therefore, the sourcing agent can limit the number of
sources he or she contacts from the prospective source list. It
will be understood that the prospective source list may display
prioritization in ways other than a columner list. The sourcing
agent may contact one or more sources to compare the immediate part
availability, price, warranty, and the like offered by the source
for the part being requested. The information collected from each
source contacted may be used to update that source's indexing
fields and quality assurance rating. For example, if a source does
not have the part available, this may be noted in that source's
quality assurance field for part availability. In this way, that
source's quality assurance rating will be lowered, which may affect
its position on the next prospective source list of which it is a
part. Similarly, if several sources have the part, but one source
offers a price that is significantly below the others, this may be
noted in the source's quality assurance field for price, which may
increase its overall quality assurance rating and position on the
next prospective source list of which it is a part. Useful data may
be collected from these initial contacts between the sourcing agent
and the sources even if a particular source is not ultimately used
to supply the part. It should be recognized, that over time, the
prioritized prospective source list should become a better
predictor to the sourcing agent of where parts are most likely to
be available. Sources that routinely have parts available at good
prices will move up the prioritized prospective source list.
Sources that routinely do not have parts available, or who have
high prices, will move down the prioritized prospective source
list.
[0051] Once a part source is selected by the sourcing agent or part
requester, additional information concerning that source may be
collected and used to update that source's indexing fields and
quality assurance fields. For example, part failure may not be
noted until some time after the part has been purchased.
Nevertheless, this information may be recorded in the pertinent
quality assurance file.
[0052] The sourcing agent may elect to contact as few or as many
sources from the prioritized prospective source list as he or she
may feel necessary to provide the part requester with a selection
of choices for sourcing the part.
[0053] The process of purchasing the part is well known in the art,
with the exception that the present invention contemplates a
feedback mechanism whereby information collected from each source
contact is used to update the factors governing prioritization of
the prospective source list.
[0054] At least one embodiment has been described, hereinabove. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods
may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from
the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all
such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within
the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
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