Order planning system which transforms existing engineering relationships into an order planning knowledge base

摘要

A system for order planning that translates an order configuration into a list of bills of materials list. The system operates based upon a first logical specification of relationships between models, optional features or device codes and required material components. The first logical form of relationships is transformed into an unambiguous statement of relationships. These relationships are then encoded to provide a compact knowledge base for evaluation of orders and order plans. Each order is encoded in a manner that allows rapid comparison with the predicates specified in the knowledge base. The order evaluation mechanism is independent of the knowledge base allowing the knowledge base to be updated in response to changes in design or relationships. A pre-processor can be introduced evaluate even more complex logical relationships between models and device codes using similar logical principles based on that comparison bill of material one assigned to a list to form a complete a complete manufacturable configuration.