WO2001073613A1 - Supply chain integration - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method to allow a small to medium enterprise (SME) to share its data (601) with other members in a supply chain. By translating SME data into a universal format (603), any supply chain member, with the proper security clearance, may view that data. A supply chain member such as an original equipment manufacturer (610), may make informed business decisions such as future production outputs, based on the knowledge obtained from the SME.

Description

SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION

TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present invention relates to a system and method for making data stored in a small or medium sized equipment manufacturer, component manufacturer, assembler, distributor, reseller or shipper available so that a larger company in the supply chain may view the data and use it for its own purposes.

BACKGROUND ART:

Many goods are manufactured using the supply chain model. A supply chain is a group of companies who individually manufacture, assemble, or distribute goods, parts or components that are incoφorated into other items and then passed to the next company in the chain. As an example, automobile manufacturers use this model to describe manufacture of automobiles. The automobile is the ultimate consumer good. Automobile manufacturers are placed in the class of "Original Equipment Manufacturers" (OEMs) as they supply the goods used by consumers.

In making an automobile, the OEM purchases parts from a plurality of suppliers.

Referring to Figure 1 , the OEM 101 manufactures automobiles that are purchased and used by consumers 100. Some of the parts that go into making the car include brake pads, the engine, and tires, to name but a few. In order to make brake pads, brake pad manufacturers 110a and 110b purchase enhanced materials from synthetic materials supplier 120. In order to make an engine, engine manufacturer 111 purchases spark plugs and ball bearings from other manufacturers or suppliers 121 and 122. In order to make tires, the tire manufacturer 112 purchases rubber and steel belts from other suppliers/manufacturers 123 and 124.

Similarly, consulting firm 113 supplies consulting services to OEM 101. Examples of services include technical consulting, accounting and legal services. Those companies who supply goods and/or services directly to an OEM are called primary suppliers. Those companies that supply goods and/or services to the supply chain, but not directly to OEMs are called secondary suppliers. In the example shown in Figure 1, primary suppliers are represented by 110-113 and the secondary suppliers are represented by 120-124. Secondary suppliers often sell to other secondary suppliers.

As can be seen from this simple example, the large companies, in this case OEM 101, rely on the Small to Medium size Enteφπses (SMEs) 110-112 and 120-124 to manufacture important parts and components used in the ultimate goods. Thus, if a mistake or other problem occurs in production of tires from tire manufacturer 112 such that OEM 101 does not have enough tires to put on its automobiles, OEM's production of automobiles would likely cease until either the one supplier 112 resumes production or OEM 101 obtains tires from another supplier. Similar problems can occur in the other companies such as the ball bearings manufacture 121. If the ball bearing manufacturer 121 cannot increase production, perhaps due to a lack in steel production from steel producer 124, the engine manufacturer 111 will likely be unable to make more engines and OEM 101 cannot therefore make more automobiles.

There are ways that an OEM may compensate for an unexpected delay in production from one of its SMEs. One way is to stock up on certain products when the supply is good. Thus, when tire manufacturer 112 is producing at full output, automobile manufacturer 101 will purchase more than it needs and inventory the excess. When tire manufacturer 112 slows production for whatever reason, automobile manufacturer 101 can use its inventory to make up for the deficiencies. While this solution solves some problems it incurs the added cost of warehousing these excess tires at an OEM controlled site.

Another problem with supply chain production is the lack of knowledge amongst the chain members. Typically, OEM 101 does not know the inventory of lower members in the chain. OEM 101 cannot increase production of a good if it does not know what its supply of parts will be in the near future. If OEM 101 knows the inventories of its supplier SMEs 110-

112 and 120-124, it can increase production, of automobiles in this example, and simply obtain appropriate inventories of brake pads, engines, and tires from SMEs 110-112. Similarly, if primary suppliers 110-113 know the inventories of secondary suppliers 120-124, they too can increase production and relieve the secondary suppliers 120-124 of their respective inventories. Thus, by having the knowledge of it's supply chain partners' business operations, OEM 101 can increase production knowing that its primary and secondary suppliers will provide for the increased demand in parts.

In order to obtain this business information about the SMEs, the OEMs have conventionally resorted to direct communication between themselves such as electronic data interchange (EDI). Simply put, an employee at an OEM calls an employee at an SME in a chain and asks for a status of the SME's inventory. This request could also take the form of a facsimile letter, a regular letter, an express letter, or an e-mail message. In all order to obtain a response, the OEM employee will often interrupt the SME employee so that the SME employee can answer the question either verbally or via a written communication. If the SME is understaffed, the request for data may languish at the SME before it is answered. Thus, this method of obtaining information often requires time between when the OEM employee makes a request for information and when the SME employee is available to provide the requested information.

These inefficient methods of collecting SME information are compounded if the OEM is seeking information from a group of suppliers. Suppose OEM 101 accepts brake pads from both SMEs 110a and 110b. If OEM 101 desires to increase production of automobiles, an OEM employee will have to send a message to SME 110a and 110b. That employee will then have to sift through the responses and determine if either one or both of SMEs 110a and 110b can provide the sought after brake pads.

Other conventional solutions to the "information problem" have been custom designed for only a few individuals in the chain. Some of these custom solutions utilize a private or semi-private network and require every participant to use the same (or interchangeable) custom or equivalent inventory software. Thus, suppliers who wish or are otherwise coerced by the OEM to take advantage of these custom solutions will incur the costs (potentially quite large costs to the SMEs) of buying custom software, and converting their current inventory and other data from the supplier's preferred formats to the format in the custom solution. Not only will the supplier incur these costs, but it will also be abandoning a system it prefers for the new custom system. This solution is expensive and labor intensive, and may therefore not be a desirable or practical option for the smaller suppliers who cannot afford to spend a large portion of their earnings to pay for custom software or workforce to do the conversion, and/or networks.

These problems exist because enteφπse resource planning (ERP) software providers have focused on large organizations able to afford the six and seven figure installation, implementation, training, and maintenance costs long associated with their packages. Supply chain software providers have focused primarily on specialized software solutions complementing these ERP systems. Small and medium size manufacturers have often been reluctant to invest in these large systems.

While some supply chains are using the Internet, it is mamly for web-based procurement. Others have added web based, self-service order checking. Such supply chains with their associated software, websites and Internet portals do not currently provide important data about each other to each other in an Internet compatible, universal format so that supply chains can exchange key data using a format commonly available on the Internet.

Traditional Solutions to Supply Chain Management

For years companies have been using electronic data interchange (EDI) fax machines and or phone conversations to transfer order information from an original manufacturer (OEM) to its small to medium sized manufacturer (SME). The including inefficiencies inherent in this approach are many, including:

No common document format EDI is not based on a common document format. Each

SME must maintain numerous formats for exchanging information with its various suppliers. Phone systems are manual intensive. Phones are becoming more inefficient because the proliferation of voice mail has resulted in a situation where calls often are not answered until the end of the day.

Fax machines offer only a partial solution. Facsimile devices provide a common interface but often require re-keying of data. Transmissions are unsecured and delivery to the intended recipients is not assured.

The ICLogistics solution addresses all three of these inefficiencies by allowing the SME to provide real time data on demand in a common document format that can link to an OEM's enteφrise resource planning (ERP) system.

Business to business (B2B) integration applications

Software companies such as Extricity are trying to help their clients realize the promise of the extended enteφrise through their electronic commerce solutions. They have recognized that most of the emphasis of ERP systems historically has been concentrated on internal operations. They believe that in order for companies to realize the full potential of their enteφrise investments, they will need to link one enteφrise with its external business partners. Their solution enables the information of one business to flow transparently to their first-level partners in a controlled, secure environment.

In contrast to the ICLogistics solution, this type of system has two shortcomings. First, it is only able to link two companies that have ERP software so it cannot link an OEM with a small technologically unsophisticated SME. In addition, the base price of $400,000 for an Extricity solution makes it prohibitively expensive for an SME.

Supply Chain Planning Solutions

The leading companies in this market; 12, Manugistics, Logility, and Numetrix have traditionally focused on the Fortune 1000. SMEs have avoided their solutions due to the long implementation cycles, armies of systems integration consultants, high up-front costs for infrastructure, and resulting high IT staffing requirements. The supply chain planning players have been focused on deepening their solutions and have not directly targeted the SME market.

Packaged solutions that are enabling E-Commerce Leading think tanks break this category into buy-side and sell-side vendors. On the buy-side, the leading vendors include Ariba, CommerceOne, Digital Market, and SAP. Forrester projects that the buy-side software segment alone will grow from $8 million in 1997 to $490 million in 2002.

On the sell-side, the leading vendors include: Broadvision, ClearCommerce, Connect, IBM, iCat, Intershop, Interworid, Lotus, Microsoft, Moai, Open Market, Oracle, Pandesic, Signal Internet Technologies, SpaceWorks and Tibersoft. Forrester predicts that this market will expand from $57MM in 1997 to $1.4 Billion in 2002.

These players are focused on solutions that they call e-procurement or operating resource management. In simple terms, these players are automating processes used to acquire operating resources. Operating resources are all the goods and services that an organization needs to acquire, use, and manage day-to-day business operations. Operating resources include communications and capital equipment, computer hardware and software, advertising and coφorate expenses, industrial and office supplies, travel and entertainment expenses, facilities and services, and maintenance, repair, and operating supplies. The ICLogistics solution is focused on production procurement and supply chain planning for SME integration into OEM systems.

Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions

The major ERP companies such as SAP, Peoplesoft, J.D. Edwards, Baan and Oracle initially focused on gaining market share in the Fortune 1000. Recently, they have been shifting part of their focus to middle market customers as the Fortune 1000 becomes fully penetrated. The ERP players certainly have the technical capability to develop solutions for SMEs; however their infrastructure and direct sales force overhead does not conform to the requirements of penetrating the SME marketspace. During the past 6 months, the stock prices of major ERP firms have experienced major setbacks as struggle to maintain their previously phenomenal revenue growth. The stock market hits have forced the ERP players to focus on their core strengths. Therefore, they have not been allocating resources to develop solutions for SMEs.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

"The infrastructure market for supply chains and trading sites that help coφorations streamline the way they do business with customers and suppliers will account for 37 percent or about $2.7 trillion of the B2B market by 2004." Source: Gartner Group.

Companies that pioneered the concept of the integrated supply chain have enjoyed reductions of up to 25 percent in inventory carrying costs alone. Billions of dollars in potential savings lie trapped in inefficient supply chains. Intelligent supply chain management represents the single greatest unexploited opportunity for increasing market share, cash flow, and profits and therefore, shareholder value. Traditional solutions have focused on the needs of the internal enteφrise. ICLogistics recognizes that the greatest amount of value lies in connecting the maze of suppliers from raw materials to final product.

Customer demand for shorter product realization cycles, increased quality, reduced cost and better product support has driven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to make huge investments in ERP (enteφrise resource planning) systems. ERP systems have helped leaders improve supply chain management within their organizations; however, OEMs are realizing that the majority of the inefficiency and costs come from the supplier tiers that make up their extended enteφrises. At the upstream end of OEM's supply chains, small and medium enteφrises (SMEs) have very limited investments in IT systems because they do not have the resources necessary to leverage these systems. In order to drive major costs and inventory dollars out and achieve proper functioning of their supply chain, OEMs must ensure that their SMEs can link electronically with their ERP systems.

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY: SURVIVING SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION With the rise of the Internet, e-business and modern logistics, owners or operators of small manufacturing companies, may find, almost overnight, that they have been suφassed in terms of costs, manufacturing technologies, quality, and technologies by global competitors.

With limited resources, small manufacturers have little room for error as they strive to retain their competitive position.

A National Research Council committee recently completed a study that discussed the impact ofthe demands of supply chain integration on small manufacturers. The study was published in March 2000 by the National Academy Press in a book titled, Surviving Supply Chain Integration: Strategies for Small Manufacturers. ICLogistics CEO, John Clendenin was a member ofthe committee charged with studying this growing issue.

Surviving Supply Chain Integration takes a particularly timely look at the benefits of continuously improving the relationship between the small manufacturing firm, its suppliers, and its customers to ensure the highest added value and fastest response to market forces at the lowest cost.

The economic impact of the country's estimated 330,000 US SME's is substantial. Defined as having less than 500 employees, SME's are important because they:

account for 98 percent of all manufacturing plants

^■ employ two-thirds ofthe nation's 18 million manufacturing workers

generate more than half of the value added in the manufacturing sector, and

are the source of much of the innovation in technology. The book also identifies action steps for small and medium-sized manufacturers to survive as large customers radically change their supply chain relationships. Real-world examples illustrate the roles of suppliers and other supply chain participants, the πse of outsourcing, the importance of information management, sources of assistance to SMEs and a host of other issues.

Importantly, the products and services of ICLogistics are directly targeted at this growing area ofthe supply chain.

There is therefore a great benefit in establishing an Internet connection based on popular format for exchange of data on the Internet between supply chain members so that data, such as current inventory, pπce and future production output levels, is available to companies in the supply chain.

In view of the above-described deficiencies associated with exiting methods and systems for, the present invention has been developed to alleviate these drawbacks and provide further benefits to the user. These enhancements and benefits are descπbed in detail hereinbelow with respect to several alternative embodiments of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention solves the above problems by providing a system(s) of universal tables that are populated with small-to-medium equipment manufacturers (SMEs) own data so that other members in the supply chain may access the SME data via a public network such as the Internet

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The invention will now be described in greater detail in the following way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

The accompanying drawings, which are incoφorated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with description, disclose the pπnciples ofthe invention.

Figure 1 is a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2a and 2b demonstrate the translation of data from one set of data tables into another in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4 and 5 are datatables used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a notional diagram of a user connected, through an ISP, to the Internet to communicate with a web host.

Figure 8 is a notional diagram of a user connected, through an ISP, to the Internet to communicate with an ICL web host ofthe present invention.

Figure 9 is a notional diagram having the content of Figure 8 plus an SME user node connected via the Internet in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 is a notional diagram having the content of Figure 9 plus an SMEl web host node connected via the Internet in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 11 is a notional diagram having the content of Figure 10 plus additional SME user and SMEl web host nodes connected via the Internet in accordance with the present invention. Figure 12 is a notional diagram having the content of Figure 11 plus a Prime Industry Intranet and accompanying elements thereof connected via the Internet in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is a notional diagram having the content of Figure 12 plus a ICL process link connected via the Prime Industry Intranet in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 14 is a notional diagram having the content of Figure 12 plus a ICL process link connected via the Prime Industry Intranet in accordance with the present invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:

The book entitled "Surviving Supply Chain Integration: Strategies for Small Manufacturers," written by the Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council, and published by the National Academy Press, in March 2000, ISBN: 0309068789, is incoφorated herein by reference.

ICLOGISTICS SOLUTION FOR THE B2B SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT MARKETSPACE

ICLogistics Information Technology Strategy. Requirements and Architecture.

ICLogistics will provide a process where the information requirements of today's increasingly complex integrated supply chain environment can operate in a distributed fashion. The web- based solution will present key supply chain information in shared tables operating in a secure environment. The ability to access SME supply chain information and link the data to existing ERP and supply chain management systems creates efficient business-to-business exchange. This solution provides robust access without the support and expense of coφorate Extranets and third party value-added networks (VANs).

ICLogistics' technical strategy is to exploit the advantages of XML-based EDI. This solution brings together the proven technical platforms of the company's development partners and provides extensive services and support to SMEs. It uses the Internet as a virtual database for the SME and their customer, while the Application Service Provider (ASP) location provides supply chain software applications and services.

ICLogistics solutions are designed to be operated from PCs with a graphical user interface. Advanced levels of software upgrades for supply chain applications will be available. Data tables will be interfaced with standard financial application packages currently used in the small business environment. These tables will be up linked to secure web sites. The intellectual property of ICLogistics solutions is protected by an array of (Patent Pending) business processes.

Product Solutions for Small and Medium Enteφπses ICLogistics offers software products and services to SMEs that provide them with high visibility to search engines and enable a wide range of web-based transactions in a secure "Virtual Community" environment. Functionality includes web-page design, basic Internet services, and access to a broad range of software applications through the ICLogistics ASP.

ICLogistics' solution for Small and Medium sized Enteφrises is called Scarborough

Fair.

Scarborough Fair is a comprehensive software package that is designed specifically for the SME. Its modular design allows the SME to start with the basic module and later upgrade to more advanced ones ICLogistics' proprietary Meta Tag system will allow SME sites to be located by users of major Internet search engines. Additional encrypted tags will allow targeted searches using ICLogistics software.

The basic module includes web site creation and the establishment of a presence on the information super highway. It enables the SME to conduct basic e-commerce functions such as accepting orders, e-mvoicing, and e-mail. A further enhancement ofthe basic module will provide for the automatic extraction and posting of inventory quantities, production schedules, and other B2B transaction data that the SME wants to share with specific customers or suppliers. This inventory data will be posted behind a secure firewall on the SMEs web site. Access to this data will require ICLogistics identification and a password that is authorized only by the SME.

The advanced module will permit access through a subscription to ICLogistics' suite of secure ASP services. The SME can upgrade at any time through a subscription to this advanced module. Advanced ASP services include connecting to the ERP systems of large prime manufacturers; access to an on-line library of training courses; the ability to create a secure virtual community of suppliers and/or customers; participation in electronic bidding; access to CAD/CAM design services; industry benchmarking capability; and international features and functions such as currency conversion tables, country of origin capture duty drawback, and Value Added Tax (VAT) payment capability.

SMEs only need basic computer hardware with Internet access to utilize this web- based software. It is available on CD or via download from ICLogistics.com. New users can register using a launch wizard.

Scarborough Fair is a suite of PC and web-based software applications for SMEs.

The SME may purchase these applications in different combinations depending on its unique needs. Services extend from basic Internet and ecommerce capabilities to applications that allow SMEs to do everything from integrating on-line inventory with a customer's ERR to accessing international features and functions such as currency conversion. Scarborough Fair includes the iCLogistics Meta Tag system (patent pending), which will allow SME sites to be searched and found by users of major search engines on the Intemet. Meta Tags link SME sites through the ICLogistics ASP in a secure environment that allows only lCLogistics.com to do the gathering of benchmarking data and proprietary SME information.

Benefits for Small and Medium Sized Enteφrises Scarborough Fair Software and Applications — Ease-of-use is the starting point for ICLogistics' benefit to SMEs. ICLogistics' e-commerce solution and site add value to every step in a user's online activity with relevant content and functionality.

Scarborough Fair will help SMEs:

Obtain basic e-business capability

Increase revenues through increased market visibility and access with

Internet Meta tags

Improve cash-to-cash cycle with electronic invoicing

Enhance their visibility with ICLogistics' information sharing capabilities

Reduce missed delivery dates by reducing order cycle times

Easily find information they need

Lower costs for managing cross-organizational processes

Home Page Meta Tags An important feature of the ICLogistics solution is the meta-directories capability that will store data and facts about the company's servers and SME network. Up-to-date information retained in "Meta Tags" (patent pending) on an SME homepage provides a significant competitive advantage in the search and benchmarking. The tags allow for enhanced search narrowing capability not possible in the current Internet environment.

Meta-Tags enable any site to be located by the major search engines and linked through our ASP in a secure environment. This unique encrypted system allows only ICLogistics to gather and benchmark proprietary supply chain information. Productivity Advantages

ICLogistics provides its customers with significant productivity improvements including:

• Decreased inventory carrying costs;

• Improved scheduling and delivery;

Real time data linked to OEM's ERP system;

• Instant ordering of available inventory;

• Improved cash to cash cycle through instant invoicing.

• Lowered administrative expenses through improved efficiency of planning and purchasing personnel.

Easy set-up for the SME due to simplicity of data points and standardization of product codes.

• Increased profitability through shortened product concept to market cycles.

• Increased customer satisfaction through improved information flow.

Rapid delivery of international shipments

Product Solutions for Large Prime Manufacturers

Mardi Gras Software and Applications

ICLogistics' Mardi Gras suite of web-based applications for large prime manufacturers allows users to:

• Access ICLogistics' ASP suite of services for use with their SME supplier base.

• Tie SMEs data elements directly to their ERP and supply chain management systems. • Access ICLogistics' Virtual Manufacturing Material Management Process

(V3MP).

ICLogisticsi Mardi Gras suite of B2B applications will allow prime manufacturers such as Boeing, Ford, the Department of Defense, 3M and Xerox to achieve substantial integration with their suppliers.

Mardi Gras is the ICLogistics suite of web-based applications for prime manufacturers. It allows users to access Scarborough Fair and the ICLogistics Virtual Manufacturing Material Management Process (V3MP), which are web-based supply chain management software programs that together provide customers with all the manufacturing material management systems they need to substantially improve the efficiency of their operations.

Virtual Manufacturing Material Management Process (V3MP)

V3MP is an umbrella of web-based supply chain management software programs that provide SMEs with all the manufacturing material management systems they need to substantially improve the efficiency of their operations. The core application is ICLogistics' supply chain collaboration platform, Virtual Factory Enteφrise(VFE).

VFE combines software and services to provide open, secure, electronic connectivity to a broad aπay of users. VFE allows businesses to immediately begin sharing information, document files, and CAD / CAM drawings with any other company on the system in a completely secure environment. Additionally, it gives member companies instant business function capabilities including schedule sharing and inventory information. It will also be the platform to deploy other important e-commerce activities and tools.

Benefits ofthe V3MP Primary benefits of V3MP include a high return on investment to ICLogistics' customers and increased ability to satisfy their customers while simplifying their internal work processes through:

• Rapid and broad client adoption

• High rate of self-service usage

• Paper elimination

• Internet exchange of business information with multiple layers SME suppliers.

• A showcase Virtual Store and back end process that will convince SME customers to utilize ICLogistics for their material management process

• Sophisticated on-line auctions for production components

Decreased inventory levels throughout the supply chain* Improved management of acquisition-through-disposition cycle of returned assets

Additional V3MP benefits include:

Streamlining order processes

Extending enteφrise to include employees, partners, customers, and suppliers

Improving information, on demand and just-in-time

Centralizing controls and audit trail

Improvement in cash-to-cash cycle

Simplifying reporting processes

Increasing competitive advantages versus other Value-Added Distributors

Messaging System / Process to Community members

Benefits for Manufacturing Extension Partners SME profitability and competitiveness will be improved by conducting Internet based B2B transactions with their customers and suppliers. Manufactuπng extension partners (MEPs) can assist their SMEs by providing them access to economical ICLogistics' solutions and accompanying implementation services. SMEs will benefit from the following:

* Web Site creation with high visibility to search engines

* E-Commerce capability with retail customers

* Secure data sharing with suppliers and customers

* Increased profits through cost reductions

* Improved cash-to cash cycle with electronic invoicing

* Stronger relationships with the entire supply chain

* Access to electronic bidding

Increased market penetration and revenue

ICLogistics will create leads for the MEPs through a broad range of advertising and sales promotion initiatives.

In a recent report by the National Research Council (NRC), published by the National

Academy Press, titled Surviving Supply Chain Integration- Strategies for Small Manufacturers, a number of cπtical SME needs were identified. ICLogistics solutions are specifically targeted to satisfy the SME requirements identified in the NRC report. MEPs can generate revenues by providing the SMEs with quick and economical solutions for these critical needs through technical assistance projects, which include ICLogistics' products.

Leading Edge Solutions

The ICLogistics product line provides leading edge solutions for SMEs in the areas of Internet access, e-business, and integrated supply chain optimization. It optimizes data transactions associated with the logistics issues of lean manufacturing. ICLogistics will provide field engineers with training and support of its products, to ensure that SME customers realize the full value of its services.

Demonstration CD

ICLogistics will provide a comprehensive sales kit to support the field engineer in the presentation of the features, advantages, and benefits that the SME will realize through installation and use of the ICLogistics product. OEM support will include a direct consultative team of customer support representatives. Additionally, ICLogistics will provide local training and support for the MEPs as well as workshops and seminars for the SMEs to acquaint them with this new capability.

SME profitability and competitiveness will be improved by conducting Internet based

B2B transactions with their customers and suppliers. Manufacturing extension partners (MEPs) can assist their SMEs by providing them access to economical ICLogistics' solutions and accompanying implementation services. SMEs will benefit from the following:

Web Site creation with high visibility to search engines

• E-Commerce capability with retail customers

Secure date sharing with suppliers and customers

Increased profits through cost reductions

Improved cash-to cash cycle with electronic invoicing

Stronger relationships with the entire supply chain

• Access to electronic bidding

The Internet and associated technologies of the late 1990s are stimulating a period of radical business innovation in 2000. Aggressive competitors — new entrants and established players — are changing the rules of the game across various industries. The ICLogistics.com technical architecture contained in this presentation will assist in the analysis of the economic viability and competitive sustainability of our emerging Internet-based business-to-business infrastructure model. Integrated Supply Cham (ISC) industry relationships can be understood in our approach to the technology portion of our company's state-of-the-art concept and overall business strategy.

Our focus is on the support of small and medium sized manufacturing enteφrises (SMEs) to gam competitive advantage in integrated supply chains.

Internet technologies are changing the mechanisms of communication, marketing, selling, buying, and generating revenue. Our approach will assist SMEs in meeting customer expectations regarding on-line responsiveness and the use of e-business service providers to assist them in creating and operating low-cost Web sites for displaying product, accepting orders, and answeπng frequently asked questions.

Referring to Figure 7, The Internet can have anybody connected to any number of web sites at various web hosts. There are many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Web hosts that provide services to enteφrises conducting e-busmess.

Once connected to the Web, Internet-based technology can provide significant advantage in the integration of supply chains.

Referring to Figure 8, Inner Circle Logistics, Inc. is an Internet company providing and supporting integrated supply chain processes for small and medium sized manufacturing enteφrises (SMEs). These techniques, however, can be utilized by other enteφrises engaged in c-busmess in myriad ways.

These Applications Service Provider (ASP) services and processes include:

•The ICL Transaction Processing Module (TPM)- which translates, sends and receives packets of information from other Internet sites in support of the integrated supply chain process

•ICL web pages, providing a content portal for busmess-to-busmess infrastructure applications and services. •ICL DoD secure Internet environments for RFPs, RFQs, on-line bidding auctions, handling, viewing, and transferring coφorate or government secure documents and data - Our licensed Virtual Factory Environments (VFETM).

•Our industry vertical communities with "Industrial Parks," "Shopping Malls," meeting rooms, on on-line training courses.

•Assigning ICL user ID's.

•Providing password and authentication services for ICL customers and users.

Referring to Figure 9, when ICL SME customers sign up for our services and support, they are provided PC applications software. A set-up wizard collects public and encrypted "Meta-Tag" data. This software then works through a connection with the Internet, an Internet

Service Provider (ISP) to establish connectivity, e-mail capability and Internet access for the

SME.

Various levels of ICL "Scarborough Fair" are available, providing basic Internet access, extraction linkage to the SME's back office financial software packages, creating ICL data tables, and other enhanced ICL process software.

Referring to Figure 10, a continuing "Virtual" presence on the Internet is established on a web host site through the web page(s) containing:

• Information specific to the SME in ICL Meta-tags.

• A secure inventory / product supply chain database with access controlled by the SME through ICL's proprietary security software.

• An ICL Transaction Processing Module (TPM) to allow communication with other ICL enabled sites. This allows the SME to see other ICL customer's inventory information, and to buy, sell, and conduct other integrated supply chain activities over the Internet in a secure environment. • The SME's data is then available on-line and updated upon log-in with changes in the company's supply chain balance sheet position.

Referring to Figure 11 , any number of other ICL enabled SME customers can be located and accessed through this integrated supply web. Secure data is available and transferred at Internet speed.

Referring to Figure 12, Prime manufacturers with their own Intranets and Extranets are also attached to the Intemet. Coφorate supply chain users have access to their own Enteφrise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, as well as other Internet sites.

Referring to Figure 13, these prime systems can join the ICL community in a number of ways:

•With specialized ICL TPM's to allow communication with their own SME suppliers (and other prime suppliers) using ICL as well as any other ICL users allowing them secure access to their data.

•With specialized ICL data links to the Prime's ERP system transactions can be processed through the Prime's ERP allowing what-if analysis and improvements in supply chain performance.

•Participation in Vertical Industry Communities.

Referring to Figure 14, Inner Circle Logistics, Inc.

• An Internet company providing Business-to-Business infrastructure software and services for tomorrow's companies today!

• Enabling breakthrough improvements in performance for SME's and Prime manufacturer's in an integrated supply web!

• Enabling integration of SME supply chain data with the enabled Prime's ERP system. • Enabling integration with Value-Added-Networks (VANs) for on-line auctions, and supply chain data exchange.

The present invention may be described with reference to three levels of functionality. The first level of functionality is availability. The present invention takes proprietary data and makes it available to other entities in the supply chain. The second level of functionality is visibility. The present invention also translates the proprietary data into a universal format so that the data is viewable, copyable, and useable in other applications by other entities in the supply chain. The third level of functionality includes decision support. By making this proprietary data available and visible to other supply chain entities, those other supply chain entities may use that data in their business decisions.

Availability

Figures 2a and 2b are diagram of the translation process used to make a Small to Medium Enteφrise's (SME) data available to other enteφrises and companies in a supply chain. Table 201 is an example of a data table used and maintained by an SME. In the example shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the SME is a brake manufacturing company with identification of that company provided in section 201a. In column 201b the different part numbers are listed for the different types of brake pads sold by this SME. Column 201c lists the current inventory for each type of brake pad stocked by the SME. Column 20 Id lists the cost per unit brake pad. Column 20 le provides a description of each brake pad. In this example, the brake pads are described according to wheel size and make of vehicle used thereon (i.e. large brake pads for heavy duty trucks and small brake pads for compact cars). Column 20 lf lists how many brake pads are on back-order. A back order in this example occurs when an order for a part is accepted and the parts are not yet shipped to the purchaser. As an example, if this SME accepts an order for 100 brake pads number BB2222 at 9:00 am, but does not ship the brake pads until the next day at 9:00 am, then the brake pads BB2222 will be on back-order for that 24 hour period. Column 20 lg lists how many new brake pads will produced in the future to meet demand. As an example, 175 brake pads number BB2222 will be produced by April 18, 2000 to meet the back-order of 100 brake pads. Column 201h lists the dates the SME expects to complete the future outputs listed in column 20 lg. Column 20 lh provides data such that if an order cannot be met today, the SME will have data as to when it expects to fill that back-order in the future. Column 20 li lists the various modes of transportation the back orders are slated to travel on to reach the buyer. Column 20 lj lists the production plants where the various parts are either manufactured or warehoused. Column 201k lists the distribution sites for the various parts shown. Row 201m contains key phrases or terms that identify the type of elements in each of the respective columns 201b-201k. Providing the data from this data table to another supply chain member is advantageous for reasons that are described later. It should also be noted that the specific fields of data shown in Figures 2a and 2b are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Data tables 202 and 203 are similar to datatable 201 except datatable 202 shows the corresponding data for calipers and datatable 203 shows the corresponding data for assemblies comprising both calipers and brake pads. Thus, between the three data tables, the SME is able to determine how many brake pads it currently has, how many calipers it has and how many brake assemblies comprising both brake pads and calipers it has. This information allows the brake manufacturer to adjust production to keep pace with demand. For example, if there is an overstock of calipers and many back-orders for brake pads, the SME can increase production on the brake pads to fill those back-orders and decrease production on calipers to avoid excessive costs associated with storing this inventory of calipers.

Translator 204 copies and translates the data kept in datatables 201-203 into data table 205. Data table 205 uses a universal format that a plurality of viewers can understand. A universal format is a set of rules based upon universal tags that are used to organize, search, retrieve, and access data. Universal tags are descriptors that distinguish data elements based upon the data elements' types where such descriptors are useful for puφoses of managing or organizing a supply chain. A universal format can receive data from many different software formats. Data stored in a universal format can be searched and retrieved by many different software formats.

One task of translator 204 is to identify each element in data tables 201-203 and place it into the appropriate place into datatable 205 For example, translator 204 cannot take the price data in column 20 Id from datatable 201 and place it into the part number column 205b of data table 205. It should be noted that the present invention encompasses data tables of other sizes. In addition, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, translator 204 translates each of a plurality of input data tables like 201 -203 into corresponding individual universal data tables.

Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processes for translating data from a propπetary datatable(s) into a universal datatable(s). The first process is to initialize translator 204 so that it will recognize the key terms used as shown in row 201 of table 201. There are two methods in which translator 204 can be initialized. The first method, at block B301, is to command translator 204 to use a procedure specifically written to recognize known keys associated with various propπetary software packages. As an example, suppose an imaginary software package such as "Inventory Made Easy" uses the following standard headings m its tables: "Part No.," "Pπce," "Stock," etc. The procedure in translator 204 is written to recognize those keys so that it can associate the data in those columns of datatables 201-203 into the correct columns in datatable 205. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, translator 204 uses a simple text recognition procedure to recognize the known key words in a selected proprietary system. It should also be noted that the text matching procedure in translator 204 contains a database of other known key terms from other propπetary software packages like Quickbooks™, PeachTree™, and many others (not shown). In another embodiment, a procedure reads the hard drive looking for header information that identifies a propπetary system. Thus, once identified, the software embodying the present invention may refer to the database of known terms (not shown) The other method for determining what the key words are in the SME's data tables is to have an employee ofthe SME make the correlations for translator 204 in block B302. This method is required for SMEs who use their own inventory system. Upon installation of a software system embodying the present invention onto the SME's computer, the software will automatically go through a series of question prompts or wizards asking the employee to enter the corresponding names used by the SME. For example, the employee will be queried via the following phrases: "Please enter the name you use for 'Part Number.'" The employee types in the character string "Ref. No." to show that this SME uses the phrase "Ref. No." as a synonym for "Part Number." The initialization process continues by asking the employee to enter all the SME's synonyms for the universal names used in the universal data tables. It should be noted that some names will probably be the same in the SME's data tables as well as the universal datatable such as "Price," but the translator ask questions until the employee types in all of the key terms in the data tables and exits this procedure.

At block B303, translator 204 associates the key terms used in SME datatables 201- 203 with universal key terms and universal tags used in universal table 205.

In a preferred embodiment, when the process goes through block B301, it uses a default data table stored in the software implementation of the present embodiment. In other words, if the software developer has access to the key terms while writing the program, he/she merely creates the datatable shown in Figure 4 at the time of writing the code. If translator 204 must determine the key terms by (1) comparing strings in block B301 or (2) having an employee manually key in the data, translator 204 uses a thesaurus datatable (not shown) to determine the universal key terms and universal tags that correlate to the SME's key terms. For example, translator 204 takes the SME key term "Part #" and compares it with known synonyms like "Reference No.""; Identification #" and "Part #." When a match is made (i.e., "Part No." = "Part No."), translator 204 uses the synonym in the thesaurus that generated the match to derive the corresponding universal key term. Since each universal key term has many synonyms associated with it, it follows that the SME may use any of a variety of its own key terms and still attain correspondence with the correct universal term. Once the corresponding universal key term is associated with each SME key term, the data is stored in datatable 401 of Figure 4. In this manner, the correct universal key term and universal tags can be associated with the correct data from datatables 201-203.

Once the key terms are identified, translator 204 next locates the storage addresses of each ofthe key terms within datatables 201-203 in block B304. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locate procedure is used in conjunction with a pointer into the proprietary data. The pointer advances through strings of data and compares each string with the SME key terms entered or discovered above. When a match is discovered, that address referenced by the pointer is saved. In this manner, translator 204 identifies the storage location where each SME key term is stored. As an example, the proprietary key word "Price" is located at address 240 as shown in Figure 2.

In addition, at block B304, translator 204 also determines the "width" of the datatable. The width is a measure of how much storage it takes to store a single row. For the example in Figure 2, each data element in a row is separated from the next data element in that row by 1 storage location where each location is 10 spaces wide. Since there are 10 columns, and each column is one location wide, it follows that the width of table 201 is 100 spaces.

Translator 204 then calculates the location of each data element using the address for each of the SME key terms and width of the datatable in block B305. Continuing with the example in Figure 2, translator 204 accesses the first price data element ($12.95) by taking the address of the key term "Price," 240, and adding 100 to it to obtain 340. The next data element in the "Price" column is located 100 spaces away from the first (i.e. at address 440). As each data element address is calculated, the result is stored in a temporary datatable 501 at Figure 5 along with the SME Key term associated with that data element.

At block B306, a counter is used to increment a pointer through the storage space. At each increment, a comparison is performed against the address field of datatable 501 to determine if the counter value matches a value stored in datatable 501. If a match occurs, translator 204 extracts the SME Key term associated with that address from table 501. In addition, at block B305 the actual data element itself is accessed from the storage location (i.e. the value $12.95).

At block B307, the universal tag is retrieved that is associated with the SME Key term from datatable 401. In addition the value of the data element accessed in block B306 is first expanded to a standard format and that standard format is then copied into the universal datatable 205 along with the associated universal tags as shown in Figure 2. As an example of expansion, the universal format uses eight digits for part numbers. As can be seen from datatable 201, this particular SME uses part numbers with only six digits. Therefore, translator 204 front loads the six digits used by the SME as its part number with two 0's so that the universal part number is eight digits long. It should be noted that eight digits is an example and other embodiments of the present invention may use 16, 32 or more digits.

At block B307, translator 204 determines if there are any additional datatables needing translation. If the answer is "YES," the process repeats beginning at block B304 with the next datatable. If there are no additional datatables requiπng translation, the process continues at block B307.

Once all of the propπetary datatables 201-203 have been translated into universal table 205, the recently created universal table 205 is transferred to a publicly accessible storage space at block B309. The process then ends at block B310.

Figure 6 shows a diagram of the system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As described above, translator 204 simply translates and transfers the SME proprietary data 601 onto Web server 600. Universal table 603 is placed on the other side of firewall 602 to prevent unauthorized access of the SME's proprietary data 601. Database management system 604 also resides on Web server 600 and it is used to update, search, and otherwise maintain the universal table 603. Firewall 605 separates database management system 604 and universal table 603 from SME home page data 606, Ordeπng and Invoicing software 607 and email software 608 which is used to transmit messages between any of the supply chain members. OME 610 accesses Web server 600 and the data stored therein via a public network such as the Internet 609.

The dual firewall system shown in Figure 6 provides certain advantages. First, as previously described, only select individuals or companies are allowed to access universal datatable 603 via firewall 604. In addition, firewall 602 prevents all parties from accessing the SME's proprietary data 601. Thus, portions of the SME proprietary data 601 that the SME wishes to keep from all other companies such as payroll, personnel files, etc. is secure form all other companies.

Visibility

As discussed above, universal tags are inserted into datatable 205/603 along with the data elements. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tag is simply a descriptor supported by XML. Tags, by their definition in XML, can be assigned by a Web page creator. To be more specific, an item such as "$12.95" is surrounded by the tags <Price> and </Price>. The use of these tags identifies the number "$12.95" as a price and not something else like a part number.

The use of universal tags provides many advantages. First, an OEM or other supply chain member may view the data stored in datatable 603 with a Web browser. Thus, the OEM or other supply chain member need not purchase customized software in order to view SME data. In addition, all members in a supply chain, who have the proper security clearance, may view universal datatable 603. There is therefore no need for an OEM to purchase different vendors' software in order to obtain information. For example, an OEM or other supply chain member does not need to purchase QuickbooksTM and PeachtreeTM in order to exchange data with one SME who uses QuickbooksTM and another who uses PeachtreeTM. All supply chain members are using XML (or an equivalent language or meta- language), Web browsers (or equivalent software) and the universal datatables to exchange information.

Another feature of the present invention is the improved efficiency in which each supply chain is managed. In some of the conventional systems, the OEM would purchase excess goods from its SMEs and pay the costs to warehouse the goods and manage those goods via an OEM controlled database. In that conventional system, it is easy and fast for the OEM to determine it is current level of supplies. Using the present invention allows OEM's to reduce their warehousing costs which improves the bottom line while being able to retrieve data from the SMEs' universal datatables in virtual real-time. Thus the functionality of being able to determine the availability of certain supplies in virtual real-time is maintained while the costs of maintaining a warehouse are reduced.

The combination of universal tags and the Internet provides supply chain members the ability to "surf the supply chain for useful information. For example, if tire manufacturer 1 12 must decrease its tire production due to a lack of rubber supply from rubber supplier 123, OEM 101 may go directly to the universal table associated with rubber supplier 123 to see when it's output will increase again. In this example, the source of the problem lies with the rubber supplier 123 and by using a system embodying the present invention, OEM 101 can go directly to the source to try to determine when this problem will be corrected. Thus, the use of the Intemet converts the traditional supply chains, where information only traveled along the supply chains in a linear fashion, to a supply web where information travels along paths that are more direct between supply chain members regardless of relative position in the supply web.

This visibility also benefits SME employees who are traveling. All the employees need to access the required data is a computer with a Web browser and a password to get through firewall 605. Thus, if that employee is at a client site, both the client and the employee may access universal table 603 to determine how best to structure whatever business deal they require. By having a standard use of tags in the universal data tables, it is possible for a plurality of supply chain members to search the plurality of universal datatables for specific data. For example, if an automobile manufacturer wishes to know how many brake pads are available from all of its suppliers, it issues a query requesting that data.

The query is commenced by first retrieving a URL from a datatable of URLs. The datatable of URLs are stored on a Web site supported by a sponsor of supply chain management. Every SME and OEM who generates universal tables registers their URLs with that Web site. The search engine associated with the sponsored Web site accesses each URL and authenticates itself to firewall 604 as an entity allowed to access the universal datatable. After that, the search engine performs a mimsearch of the data therein looking for the universal tags "<Brake Pads>" and/or "</Brake Pads>," for example. If the requested universal tag is located in the universal datatable, the search engine extracts other data fields associated with the found data. In this example, the name of the company and at least the quantity of those parts are copied and forwarded back to the sponsor Web site. This process continues for each URL listed in the URL datatable.

After all of the data has been copied from the various universal datatables, the sponsor Web server performs various calculations on the data. For example, the server may add the quantities received to obtain a total of all brake pads presently available. Based on this total the OEM can determine whether it can increase production of automobiles with the brake pad manufacturers supplying enough brake pads from their respective inventories to meet this increased production.

This search engine may also be used to locate a supplier or buyer of a good. Thus, if an OEM is looking for a brake pad supplier to provide brake pads because its normal supplier cannot, the OEM may search the universal datatables looking for a new brake supplier with inventory. Similarly, if an SME is about to add a new product line, it may also search the sponsored Web page for a potential buyer of its new product line. Another operation that the OEM may use this data for is to place orders for parts from one or more SME. Once the OEM employee has a particular product selected, the employee clicks on a button to open an ordering invoice supported by ordering and invoice software 607. SME server 600 automatically inserts some of the data as obtained from the universal datatable, like part number and price, and the OEM employee fills in other fields such as quantity and method of delivery (i.e. next day, UPS or a particular trucking line). This order is then sent electronically back to the ordering and invoice software 607 where it is fulfilled.

The advantages of the supply web described above also apply to franchise and large retail operations. Suppose a department store chain is selling a particular toy. If the store in Philadelphia has exhausted its supply, it may use software embodying the present invention to search for another store, say in Washington D.C, where they have a suφlus of this particular toy. The two stores can learn of each other's situations independently and take steps to ship the particular suφlus toys from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia. In this example, a supply chain is not involved because the Philadelphia store is not set-up to provide inventory to the Washington D.C. store, yet the supply web established by the present invention was used to balance inventory amongst individuals who do not share the same supply chain.

While the above examples and descriptions have been provided for ease of understanding, they should not be construed to limit the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Obvious variations and modifications to one of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to a particular method of transferring the universal table to a publicly accessible storage location. For example, instead of buffering the universal table 205 on the SME's local memory as it is created before it is copied to Web server 600 as described above, the SME's computer could alternatively write the universal table 205 directly to Web server 600 as the data is translated.

The present invention is also not limited to the specific method of translation described above. Fuzzy logic and artificial intelligence techniques could also be implemented to determine matches for SME key terms and universal key terms. In addition, other data organization schemes, such as linked lists, hash tables and binary search trees, are also contemplated by the present invention beyond the example described above.

As one example, the various types of tags used in Figure 2 are not limited to those shown. Additional tag data may be used that encompasses the following data: government SSIC classification; location data; company size data; business type; key management names; stock market symbol; Thompson register key coding; certifications; awards; government security clearance; disadvantaged business enteφrise classification; "Economic Enteφrise Zone" designation; future field reservation (to allow datatables to expand); and temporary tags (i.e. tags associated with data that becomes obsolete such as a new email message or Y2K compliance).

Other possible variations include how the data elements and universal tags are associated in the memory. From the example given above, the universal tags are stored in the same location as the data elements in table 205. Thus, the association is physical in that the data element and the universal tags share one memory location. In an alternative embodiment, the association is via references. Thus, a universal tag includes a referencing field that references the data element.

Yet another variation of present invention goes to what types of data are stored in table 205. Instead of storing universal terms as shown in row 205m of Figures 2a and 2b, one copy of the universal tag data (i.e. <QY>) is stored in row 205m and the data elements are accessed via their associated universal tags in row 205m.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the automobile market. The present invention is equally applicable to other industries such as the government, aerospace, health, and telecommunications.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be inteφreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for providing data comprising:

reading first data stored in a proprietary format;

translating the first data into second data organized using a universal format; and

transferring the second data into a secure memory.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the translating comprises:

recognizing a key term in the first data;

matching the key term with one of a plurality of universal tags;

copying the first data into the second data; and

copying the one universal tag into the second data so that it is associated with the copied first data.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

searching the second data stored on the secure memory for one of the plurality of universal tags.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

transferring the second data associated with the one of the plurality of universal tags to another memory.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

receiving a purchase order based on the transferred second data.

6. A method for providing data comprising:

reading first data stored in a proprietary format;

reading second data stored in the proprietary format;

translating the first data into third data organized using a universal format;

translating the second data into fourth data organized using the universal format; and

transferring the third and fourth data into a secure memory.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the translating comprises:

recognizing a first key term associated with the first data;

matching the first key term with a first universal tag;

copying the first data into the third data;

copying the first universal tag into the third data so that it is associated with the copied first data;

recognizing a second key associated with the second data;

matching the second key term with a second universal tag;

copying the second data into the fourth data; and

copying the second universal tag into the fourth data so that it is associated with the copied second data.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

searching the third and fourth data stored on the secure memory for one of a plurality of universal tags; and

determining if there is a match between the one of the plurality of universal tags and either the third data or the fourth data.

9. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

transferring either the third data or the fourth data to another memory based on which of the third and fourth memory matched the one of the plurality of universal tags.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving a purchase order based on the transferred third or fourth data.

11. A system for providing data comprising:

a first computer;

a first memory storing first data in a proprietary format; and

a first software application that controls the first computer and the first memory so that:

the first data is read;

the first data is translated into second data organized into a universal format; and

the second data is transferred to a second memory.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the software further controls the first computer and the first memory so that:

a key term is recognized in the first data;

the key term is matched with one of a plurality of universal tags;

the first data is copied into the second data; and

the one universal tag is copied into the second data so that it is associated with the copied first data.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a second computer;

a second software application for controlling the second computer and the second memory so that:

the second data stored on the second memory is searched for one of the plurality of universal tags.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the second software application further controls the second computer and the second memory so that:

the second data associated with the one of the plurality of universal tags is transferred to a third memory.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the second software application further controls the second computer and the second memory sot that:

a purchase order based on the transferred second data is received.

16. A computer readable medium for controlling a system so the system's operations comprise:

reading first data stored in a proprietary format;

translating the first data into second data organized using a universal format; and

transferring the second data into a secure memory.

17. The computer readable medium for controlling the systems of claim 16 where system's operation further comprise:

recognizing a key term in the first data;

matching the key term with one of a plurality of universal tags;

copying the first data into the second data; and

copying the one universal tag into the second data so that it is associated with the copied first data.

18. A method for transferring data from a proprietary first software format to a proprietary second software format comprising:

using the Internet;

retrieving data from the first software to operate a supply chain;

converting data to a table using XML and a table with a third format employing key terms and tags; and

accessing data from the table for inclusion in the proprietary second software format to operate a business.