Virtual warehouse parts distribution system and process

Abstract

A parts distribution system and process uses a computer network, particularly the Internet, to efficiently distribute spare parts in a cost-effective manner. The system includes a plurality of buyer computers for operation by a system participant desiring to obtain one or more parts, a plurality of seller computers for operation by a system participant desiring to sell one or more parts, and at least one server computer. The buyer computers, seller computers and server computer are interconnected as a computer network. In operation, the seller computers are used to input part related data to the server computer, and the server computer uses the data to maintain a database of all available parts. The buyer computers are used to transmit part requests to the server computer, and the server computer selecting one or more parts from the database in response to the requests.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A method for distributing parts between system participants, said method comprising: 
 obtaining agreements from system participants, including buyers and sellers, to join in a network-based, automated virtual warehouse parts distribution system, including agreements to terms of blanket purchase orders and auditing to check accuracy of data describing parts posted by sellers;    operating a server computer to receive, via a computer network, descriptions of data corresponding of parts being offered for sale by the sellers, to receive, via the computer network, requests for desired parts by the buyers, to identify suitable parts from a pool of available said parts being offered for sale by the sellers, and to issue an instruction to a computer used by the buyer to issue a purchase order consistent with the agreement of the buyer identifying the parts meeting the request.    
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising operating the server computer to identify suitable parts for the buyer in accordance with a buyer's specified picking order.  
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising operating the server computer to maintain a database of available parts, including descriptions of conditions of used parts offered for sale.  
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  including obtaining an agreement from a system participant who is both a buyer and a seller.  
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising operating the server to issue an instruction to the computer used by the buyer to issue a plurality of purchase orders, one to each seller of a part, in an instance in which not all parts needed to fulfill the buyer's request are supplied by the same seller.  
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising: 
 operating the server to divide the parts offered for sale into a plurality of inventory categories and sub-categories; and    programming the server with maximum and minimum inventory limits for sub-inventory categories.    
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18  further comprising operating the server to accept no more parts in a sub-category when the sub-inventory category is at the maximum inventory limit.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 18  further comprising operating the server to notify a seller that more parts in a sub-inventory category are needed when the sub-inventory category falls below the minimum inventory limit.  
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the parts comprise aircraft parts, including used aircraft parts.