Methods and systems for tracking a product or service within a supply

摘要

Methods and systems for the efficient tracking of a product or service within the product or service's life cycle within a supply chain. Implementations of the present invention including at least one of a method, a process, a system, an apparatus, a computer-readable medium, and a data stream. The methods and systems of the present invention providing a user with the capability to track an item or order, shipment status, or to check an inventory quantity utilizing any one of a plurality of identification numbers. The methods and systems of the present invention also providing the user with the capability to track an item or order, shipment status, or to check an inventory quantity utilizing a partial identification number. The methods and systems of the present invention further providing for secure access via a globally-distributed computer network, such as the Internet. A graphical user interface is provided that is intuitive and user friendly.

主权项

1. A method for tracking a product or service within the product or service's life cycle within a supply chain, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by a processor programmed to receive data associated with the product or service from a client database, a warehouse database, and a carrier tracking database, wherein the data comprises a plurality of records, each of the plurality of records associated with a corresponding first identification number; consolidating the data into a consolidated data table, wherein consolidating the data comprises creating an indexed catalog containing for each record a plurality of multi-character segments reflecting a portion of the first identification number; receiving a second identification number associated with the product or service within the supply chain; receiving, by a processor programmed to receive a searchable category associated with the second identification number; dividing, by a processor programmed to divide the second identification number into a plurality of multi-character segments reflecting a portion of the second identification number; searching the consolidated data table for data associated with the searchable category and the second identification number, wherein searching the consolidated data table comprises searching the indexed catalog using the plurality of multi-character segments associated with the second identification number; and outputting the data associated with the searchable category and the second identification number.