AU2003259672A1 - Supply Chain Training - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: EAN Australia Limited of Unit 100, 45 Gilby Road Mount Waverley Victoria 3149 Australia Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: Mark Colin Breyley Andris Pinis DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia "Supply Chain Training" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P:WPER\RAB' spplychin anining sysm sp.doc./I1 1103 -1- SUPPLY CHAIN TRAINING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to supply chain training, and in particular to a supply chain training process, centre and system.

BACKGROUND

Many industries operate inefficiently because efficient practices are not fully implemented or integrated, either internally or across the supply chain. The term "supply chain" refers to the business processes and standards that connect a company with its trading partners or community. For example, this includes physical trade between organisations, the communication of trading information such as product specifications, orders, availability, and pricing, and the ability of their employees, business processes, and systems to work together. Organisations that are able to link or otherwise integrate their business processes using the same standards as those of their trading partners are better positioned to share the benefits of improved supply chain performance and business outcomes. Yet many organisations fail to recognise the importance of supply chain management and continue to operate below optimum efficiency. It is desired, therefore, to provide a supply chain training process, system and centre that alleviate this difficulty, or at least that provide a useful alternative.

P:\OPERWRAB\ca tpply chin ,iinS sysnm Vpa.dom-0/ 11/03 -2- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a supply chain training process, including: displaying first user interface data corresponding to a first component of a supply chain; receiving input data from a user relating to supply of one or more goods; and generating, on the basis of said input data, a supply chain message for notifying a second component of said supply chain.

The present invention also provides a supply chain training process, including: generating user interface data for display at user terminals corresponding to respective components of a supply chain; receiving supply chain data from one of said user terminals, said supply data representing an action of said supply chain; selecting a user terminal for processing said supply chain data; and sending said supply chain data to the selected user terminal for processing.

The present invention also provides a supply chain training system, including: a plurality of user terminals corresponding to respective components of a supply chain; and a controller connected to said user terminals by a communications network; wherein said controller is adapted to receive supply chain data from a first one of said user terminals, said supply data representing an action of said supply chain, to select a second one of said user terminals for processing said supply data, and to send said supply data to the selected user terminal.

POPER AB\an supplychain nining sytoa spm.doc-05/1103 -3- The present invention also provides a supply chain simulator, including a plurality of interactive user terminals interconnected by a communications network, said user terminals corresponding to respective components of a supply chain; wherein the system is adapted to generate respective user interface data for display on said interactive user terminals, said user interface data representing supply chain actions for said components of said supply chain, and to control the flow of messages between said plurality of user terminals to simulate supply chain transactions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a floor plan of a preferred embodiment of a supply chain knowledge centre; Figure 2 is an illustration of components of a supply chain training system of the knowledge centre; Figure 3 is an illustration of a simulation terminal of the supply chain training system; Figure 4 is a screenshot of a facilitator interface of the system; Figures 5 to 7 are screenshots of simulation terminal displays generated by the system; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of transaction messages between a buyer and a seller during a supply chain simulation of the system; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of messages along a supply chain, as represented by the simulation terminals of the system; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the supply chain knowledge centre; Figure 11 is a block diagram showing modules of the system; Figure 12 is an object model relationship diagram of the modules; Figure 13 is a flow diagram of a control process executed by the central controller; Figure 14 is a flow diagram of a facilitator console process executed by a facilitator console of the system; P:WPERRABtn supply chin vining systm sp-docac05/1 1/03 -4- Figure 15 is a flow diagram of a simulation process executed by a simulation terminal of the system; Figure 16 is a flow diagram of a presentation process of a presentation module of the system; Figure 17 is a flow diagram of a kiosk process of a kiosk module of the system; Figure 18 is a flow diagram of an idle process of an idle module of the system; and Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a portable knowledge centre.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A supply chain knowledge centre, as shown in Figure 1, provides a multimedia environment for educating and training visitors to the centre in supply chain standards, supply chain processes, and efficient supply chain management practices. In particular, the supply chain knowledge centre provides a supply chain education program that educates and trains visitors in the international standards managed and maintained by the voluntary standards organisations EAN International (and national divisions thereof) and The Uniform Code Council (UCC), referred to as the EAN.UCC system. As described at http://www.ean-int.org and http://www.ean.com.au, the EAN.UCC System standardises supply chain processes, data carriers and messaging protocols for communicating supply chain transaction data, including bar codes, EDI transaction sets, and XML schemas, thereby providing an extremely robust world-wide item identification system. A dedicated EAN display area 100 displays detailed information on the EAN.UCC system to educate visitors in the development and use of these standards, although the other parts of the centre also provide further education and training in the EAN.UCC system, as described below.

The knowledge centre includes an area 102 referred to as the physical model, divided into seven sub-areas 104 to 110 containing physical mock-ups representing materials, manufacturing/production, warehousing, picking, transport, receiving, and consumer/retail components of a supply chain. The physical model 102 provides interactive P:\OPER\AAB'n mpply oeb ag ining "m sdo5It /1/03 demonstrations of product and information flows along the supply chain, including the basics of standardised numbering, labelling or tagging, and automated identification.

Visitors can view animated presentations and interactive demonstrations, providing them with a strong understanding of the importance of standardised product numbering, data flow and data integrity.

The knowledge centre includes five large projection screens 112 to 118. These screens 112 to 118 are used to display supply chain transactions and information flows, as well as customised backgrounds for industry-specific presentations.

The knowledge centre includes a theatre 120 with a large projection screen 122, enabling an audience of up to fifteen people to participate in interactive learning led by a trained facilitator. The theatre 120 is used to present a wide variety of programs, including video, a simulation game, and multimedia presentation material, as described below. These presentations are stored on computer servers, as described below, and can be selected, sequenced and controlled from within the theatre by the facilitator.

The interactive learning environment is fundamental to the supply chain knowledge centre achieving its targeted learning outcomes. The supply chain education program is structured around six categories of supply chain knowledge: concepts/context, standards, processes, organisation, technology, and integration. Each category of knowledge is addressed through one or more modules of prepared learning material, and can be pitched at different levels for each sector of the target audience. The target audience is segmented by organisation size and by supply chain maturity, which is indicated by their current use of supply chain specific methods and technologies.

The supply chain knowledge centre combines a variety of learning activities to provide interactive supply chain education and training, including video, computer simulation, role plays, activity sheets, multimedia presentations, and physical demonstration of supply chain equipment, all led by the facilitator. The education and training programs provided by the centre include a series of modules. Each module consists of a short video to P:\OPERRAB/can supply chin mining sys spe.doc-0/I 1/03 -6introduce the subject matter in a TV game show context, an activity sheet prompting participants to evaluate their own business, a computer simulation using four players in supply chain roles, facilitated discussion, video case study interviews, and a question and answer time. The mix of activities can be balanced to suit the type of audience and the subject matter.

One such presentation focuses on supply chain relationships and processes, and explains the effects of process failures and data quality on supply chain performance. For example, failure to maintain data integrity causes a number of problems to others in a supply chain.

The effect of a data error is tracked as it impacts various parts of an organisation, and flows on with consequences to customers, suppliers and other parts of the supply chain.

The presentation assists participants to understand how important the human element is when moving to an automated system, and how it will always remain important.

A central feature of the theatre 120 is a supply chain simulator or training system, which provides an interactive, multimedia learning tool used to demonstrate supply chain management standards, principles and practice, and then show the effects of supply chain decisions on the whole supply chain. Supply chain management is a very broad subject with complexities that span organisational boundaries. The supply chain simulation demystifies the broader concepts of supply chain management.

As shown in Figure 2, four simulation terminals 202 to 208 are provided at the front of the theatre 120, situated beneath the large projection screen 122. As shown in Figure 3, each of the simulation terminals 202 to 208 includes a touch-screen LCD display 302, a keyboard/mouse 304, a light 306 for illuminating the keyboard/mouse 304, a speaker 307, headphones, and a barcode scanner 308.

Through the use of the simulation terminals 202 to 208, the training system operates in some aspects like a multi-player computer "game". The facilitator invites four audience members to participate at the respective simulation terminals 202 to 208 within the theatre 120 to play this multimedia simulation game in order to learn the basic concepts of POPERUtABen supply chain trining sysla spec.doc-03/l 1/03 -7supply chain management. The training system then generates a multimedia simulation of the transactions and information flows along the supply chain. Each of the simulation terminals 202 to 208 reacts to messages sent by participants using the other simulation terminals, as well as to any barcode scans performed when a participant scans a product using the barcode scanner 308. When not being used in a simulation, the simulation terminals 202 to 208 can also act as Kiosks, as described below, if desired.

The simulation illustrates the behind-the-scenes processes involved at.yarious points in the supply chain by allowing the players to represent companies at different points along a supply chain. Thus the simulation terminals 202 to 208 correspond to respective companies along the supply chain. In the case of a retail supply chain, these are a materials supplier, a manufacturer, a distributor, and a retailer. Other industries or supply chains can be simulated as desired, by selecting different company profiles from a simulation database 1000. The simulation allows participants to make decisions and respond to scripted trigger events, while the other audience members observe the outcomes of their decisions on the large screen 122.

The facilitator controls the simulation using a standard tablet PC with a wireless network connection and a touch screen. A facilitator module in the tablet PC provides the necessary control interface. As shown in Figure 4, the interface includes a presentation timetable 402 that lists the components of a presentation and allows the facilitator to select a desired component by touching that part of the tablet PC screen. As described below, this sends a message to a central controller via the wireless network to initiate display of the corresponding presentation or simulation on the large display screen 122 and the simulation terminals 202 to 208. A control panel 404 displays controls that allow the facilitator to play, pause, or stop a presentation or simulation. As shown in Figure 5, an introductory screen displays icons 502 to 508, representing respective companies in a supply chain. Buttons 510 to 516 display above the icons display the names of these organisations, in this case a materials supplier Red Gem Fabrics, a manufacturer Blue Wedge Manufacturing, a distributor Green Square Distributors, and a retailer Orange Circle Mart. During a simulation, an item from a list 406 of simulation displays on the P:\OPER\RAB\n applychain Iiing sym spec.doc-05I/1/03 -8facilitator's tablet PC screen can be selected to display on the large screen 122 the display of the corresponding simulation terminal, or an overview of the entire supply chain.

For example, selection of the appropriate control allows the entire audience to view on the large screen 122 the display of the second simulation terminal 204, in this case corresponding to Blue Wedge Manufacturing. As shown in Figure 6, the main menu for Blue Wedge Manufacturing provides buttons 602 to 610, allowing the audience member representing this manufacturer to review their inventories of raw materials and finished goods, to make or process goods, to generate purchase orders for raw materials, or to fulfil orders for goods. For example, selection of a Purchasing System button 608 results in the display of a purchasing system screen, as shown in Figure 7, allowing a purchase order to be created, in this case to the raw materials supplier Red Gem Fabrics. A Send button 714 at the bottom of this window 712 initiates sending of the purchase order to the first simulation terminal 202, representing Red Gem Fabrics, and display of a corresponding animation on the large screen 122.

A variety of transaction messages can be sent between a supplier 802 and a buyer 804 in the supply chain, as shown in Figure 8. For example, the supplier 802 can send a price/sales catalogue 806 to the buyer 804. Subsequently, the buyer 804 sends the supplier 802 a purchase order 808 for an item from the catalogue, and the supplier 802 responds with a purchase order response message 810. When the ordered item is ready to ship, the supplier 802 sends an advance shipping notice 812 to the buyer 804. Once the item is received, the buyer 804 sends a remittance advice message 814 to the supplier 802.

Thus in general a transaction message sent by one player gives rise to a series of transaction messages between other companies along the supply chain, and a corresponding animation display on the large screen 122. As shown in Figure 9, a player at the first simulation terminal 202 representing the materials supplier can send a first transaction message or request 902 to the second simulation terminal 202, representing a manufacturer. The manufacturer can manufacture a product from raw materials purchased from the materials supplier, and send a second transaction message 904 to the third P:\0PERMRAB\=supply chain triningay spcc.doc-03/1I/03 -9simulation terminal 206 representing the distributor. Similarly, the distributor can send a third transaction message 906 to the fourth simulation terminal 208 representing the retailer, who may respond with a fourth transaction message 908 sent back to the third simulation terminal 206 representing the distributor, and so on. This series of events and the effect on inventory levels are displayed in an animated fashion on the large presentation screen 122. In other modules, the company represented on each simulation terminal can be varied to suit the learning material for that module. For example, one module simulates an importer, two manufacturers and a packing company.

Appropriate video case studies are available for display either on the computer terminals or on the large projection screen, and are controlled by the facilitator. The facilitator can also choose key areas of interest for the participants (which may consist of only one or two areas of the supply chain model, raw materials and shipping). This allows a company or audience to focus on the processes that are most relevant to their current needs, and to return to the knowledge centre as their needs progress.

The facilitated simulation workshop can be configured to model selected aspects of a particular company's supply chain relationships if desired. That company's decision makers can then discover ways to improve their productivity and profitability both within their businesses and along their supply Chains. Participants can assess their own supply chain and convince themselves of the value of pursuing supply chain improvement.

The simulation workshop does not attempt to provide a detailed business model for all aspects of a business or supply chain. Business modelling is a complex task requiring expert tools and advice, to which the company can be directed after completing the simulation if desired. Rather, the simulation provides a way to visualise selected aspects of the supply chain, and to see the effect of adopting standards, and upgrading methodology and technology. The simulation is structured around the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model, and reflects generically the methods and technologies currently available for business modelling.

PADPWR\AUB lem apply chain tr2ining s p-d-05/1 1/030 In particular, the simulation demonstrates visually: The efficiency of business processes using automated data capture and electronic data processing; (ii) How standard electronic messaging provides for rapid, accurate information transmission between trading partners; and (iii) How re-engineering business processes along the supply chain results in time compression and cost reduction.

Once the simulation game has been played within the theatre 120, there is an opportunity to play it on a larger scale using the physical model area 102. This allows visitors to the centre not only to learn through the simulation game but to also position themselves within the appropriate environment whether materials, manufacturing, distribution, or retail) for which they are making decisions during the simulation.

As shown in Figure 10, the supply chain knowledge centre includes the four simulation terminals 202 to 208, four touch-screen interactive terminals referred to as kiosks 1002, six information terminals 1008, and a central controller 1010, all interconnected by an Ethernet network. The facilitator's tablet PC 1012 is also connected to the network via a wireless access point 1014. The information terminals 1008 are situated in the physical model area 102 and display information screens during facilitated presentations. However, the information terminals 1008 can also act as supply chain simulation terminals, as described above, allowing up to 6-player games, or even 10-player games if both the simulation terminals 202 to 208 and the information terminals 1008 are used in a simulation.. The information terminals 1008 can also act as Kiosks, as described below, at other times if desired. The kiosks 1002 are located in the EAN display area 100, as shown in Figure 1.

A show controller 1024 controls (at a hardware level) lighting systems, motorised screens, and curtains in the knowledge centre, under the command of the central controller 1010.

The show controller 1024 is an AMX NI-4000 NetLinx integrated controller, as described at http://www.amx.com.

PAOPERULABI- ppIychin mining sysm spw.dom5/1 1/03 -11- A KVM switch 1016 allows a standard PC monitor and keyboard 1018 to be used to configure the computer systems individually when required. A Kramer VP-61xl video/audio switcher-router 1020, as described at http://www.kramerelectronics.com, is used to replicate the screen display on any one of the simulation terminals 202 to 208 onto the theatre projector 1022, as described above.

In the described embodiment, the simulation terminals 202 to 208, information kiosks 1002, information terminals 1008, and the central controller 1010 are standard computer systems, such as Intel® x86-based personal computers executing a Windows® operating system and the supply chain training processes are implemented as software modules stored on non-volatile storage hard disk storage) associated with these computer systems. However, it will be apparent that at least parts of the training processes can be alternatively implemented by dedicated hardware components, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

The central controller 1010 includes a master control module 1102. As shown in Figure 11, the central controller 1010 acts as a messaging interchange and data store and communicates with, and controls, a facilitator control module 1104, a simulation module 1106, a presentation module 1108, a kiosk module 1110, and an idle module 1112 associated with the other computer systems in the knowledge centre, as described below.

Figure 12 shows the object model relationship diagram on which the modules 1102 to 1112 of the system are based.

The central controller 1010 executes a central control process, as shown in Figure 13, of the master control module 1102. The process waits for a command to be received over the network, analyses the command, retrieves any required data, and then transmits subcommands over the network to other devices. Commands or triggers may come from a variety of sources, such as from a terminal connected to a barcode scanner, or from a button press, or from choice made by the facilitator on the tablet PC 1012. For example, receiving a "Play Media File" command causes the central controller 1010 to transmit P:NOPEk\RAB\n supply chin ining sysam spe.doc-05/1103 -12commands to a computer providing vision to the particular projector or screen identified in the command.

The facilitator's tablet PC executes a facilitator control process, as shown in Figure 14, of the facilitator module that controls the course of a workshop or simulation activity. As described above, the facilitator control process generates a menu-based interface to allow the facilitator to control devices, to set up and play workshop media files and activities, and to execute and control a supply chain simulation. For security reasons, the facilitator is required to enter a short personal identification number (PIN) before being able to access the control functions.

The simulation terminals 202 to 208 execute a simulation process, as shown in Figure of the simulation module 1110. The simulation process transmits and receives messages to and from the other simulation terminals, updates transaction and status data, controls the display, and generates various screen displays and dialogs inventory inquiry screens, transaction screens, and message screens) for user interaction as part of the simulation activity.

The presentation module 1108 provides a presentation process, as shown in Figure 16, that can be executed by any of the simulation terminals 202 to 208, kiosks 1102 or information terminals 1004 in order to display a presentation on those systems or to projectors 1022.

The presentation process responds to commands from the master control module 1102 and plays a nominated video or animation file while continuing to listen for further commands.

The presentation process also responds to barcode scans by passing on the relevant command information to the central controller 1010.

The kiosks 1102 execute a kiosk process, as shown in Figure 17, of the kiosk module 1110 that provides a customised web browser interface to information stored in the network. At the same time, the kiosk process continues to listen for further commands from the-central controller 1010.

PMOPER\RABean supply hain raining systm spsu.doc.05/ 1/03 -13- The idle module 1112 provides an idle process, as shown in Figure 18, that provides a "screen saver"-like mode for the training system and continues to display a nominated presentation until interrupted by a command from the central controller 1010. The idle process also responds to barcode scans by passing on the relevant command information to the central controller 1010.

In order to provide flexibility to the supply chain training system, the simulation database 1000 stores simulation player profiles and event data. The database 1000 allows various trigger events to be defined, and stores action scripts that are invoked in response to these trigger events. Trigger events can include button presses, touchscreen touches, barcode scans, RF signals, keyboard entries, and messages from other computers. The facilitator can associate each possible trigger event with a specified sequence or combination of lighting, video, sound, and physical effects label printing or a pallet moving on a conveyor). This allows the facilitator to engage a high degree of user interaction, or to run with more automation, according to the subject matter or the desired learning outcome.

In an alternative embodiment, a portable knowledge centre provides the education and training features of the knowledge centre described above, but without the physical model, allowing the portable knowledge centre to be transported to different geographical locations in four road cases. As shown in Figure 19, the portable knowledge centre includes the four simulation terminals 202 to 208, a 20-inch presenter display screen 1902, the facilitator's tablet PC 1012, and a computer equipment rack 1904. The portable knowledge centre can be transported to client destinations and set up at various locations to deliver supply chain training programs.

In a further embodiment, a stand-alone version of the simulation process described above is provided by software modules for execution by one or more standard personal computer systems. These software modules can be distributed on CD-ROM or DVD media. A single-user version of the simulation process is executed by a standard computer system and allows a user to switch between different supply chain roles to participate in a supply chain simulation. A multi-user version of the simulation process can be executed by two or P:OPERWRABn spply chain a"iningsystm qwdc.0w 11/03 -14more computer systems interconnected by a communications network such as a standard Ethernet local area network or the Internet. This version operates identically to the simulation process used in the knowledge centre but of course in this case the facilitator and projection screen functionality is omitted.

In yet a further embodiment, the simulation process described above is provided by software modules stored on a networked web server, and a supply chain simulation game can be played via a communications network such as the Internet by one or more remote users equipped with standard web browser applications executing on standard computer systems.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DATED this 5 th day of November, 2003 EAN AUSTRALIA LTD By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE

Claims (16)

1. A supply chain training process, including: displaying first user interface data corresponding to a first component of a supply chain; receiving input data from a user relating to supply of one or more goods; and generating, on the basis of said input data, a supply chain message for notifying a second component of said supply chain.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, including displaying second user interface data corresponding to said second component of said supply chain.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first component of said supply chain corresponds to a materials supplier, a manufacturer, a distributor, or a retailer.

4. A process as claimed in claim 1, including displaying said first user interface data and said second user interface data at an interactive display terminal. A process as claimed in claim 1, including displaying said first user interface data and said second user interface data at respective interactive display terminals.

6. A supply chain training process, including: generating user interface data for display at user terminals corresponding to respective components of a supply chain; receiving supply chain data from one of said user terminals, said supply data representing an action of said supply chain; selecting a user terminal for processing said supply chain data; and sending said supply chain data to the selected user terminal for processing.

7. A process as claimed in claim 6, wherein said action corresponds to placing or fulfilling an order for one or more goods. P:WEPERMPABB a spply chain 2ininM ystn qpw.do-0I I/O -16-

8. A process as claimed in claim 6, including generating display data representing actions of said supply chain for display to one or more users to train said one or more users in supply chain processes.

9. A supply chain training system having components for executing the steps of any one of claims I to 8. Program code for executing the steps of any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon program code for executing the steps of any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A supply chain training system, including: a plurality of user terminals corresponding to respective components of a supply chain; and a controller connected to said user terminals by a communications network; wherein said controller is adapted to receive supply chain data from a first one of said user terminals, said supply data representing an action of said supply chain, to select a second one of said user terminals for processing said supply data, and to send said supply data to the selected user terminal.

13. A supply chain simulator, including a plurality of interactive user terminals interconnected by a communications network, said user terminals corresponding to respective components of a supply chain; wherein the system is adapted to generate respective user interface data for display on said interactive user terminals, said user interface data representing supply chain actions for said components of said supply chain, and to control the flow of messages between said plurality of user terminals to simulate supply chain transactions. P;\OPER\RAB\cn supply chain ining s m Vp-.doo-0311 1103 -17-

14. A supply chain training centre including a supply chain training system as claimed in claim 9, 12 or 13. A supply chain training centre as claimed in claim 14, including a plurality of interactive display terminals for displaying supply chain information.

16. A supply chain training centre as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of said .interactive display terminals includes a barcode scanner.

17. A supply chain training centre as claimed in claim 14, wherein said supply chain training centre is portable.

18. A supply chain training process, substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A supply chain training system, substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. A supply chain training centre, substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.