| 摘要 |
A host computer (28) receives inventory data from a plurality of receiving computers (34) or other data collection devices (30) located at the respective facilities (14, 16 and 18) of a customer or other party in the distribution chain. Each facility includes a storage area (40) with inventory items stored therein for use by the facility. A bar code reader (36) is used to read the bar code (44) from each item added to, removed from, returned to, or remaining in the storage area (40) and to provide corresponding item identification data to the receiving computer (34). Host computer (28) receives the item identification data from all of the receiving computers (34) of the facilities and provides a consolidated invoice for all of the facilities. If the facilities (14, 16 and 18) are served by different dealers, the host computer (28) is also operable to convert the item identification data to dealer-specific data including the respective dealer codes for the items for replenishing the inventory at each storage area (40). The host computer (28) is also operable to sort the item identification data by manufacturer and to provide corresponding data to specific manufacturers for production planning. The host computer (28) is also operable to prepare a variety of other reports for each party, including but not limited to material safety reports, environmental reports, job cost reports, and marketing reports. |
