A supply chain network where customers, suppliers, logistics providers, carriers,
and financial institutions are all connected to a centralized supply chain server.
The server receives forecasts for direct material procurement from the customers
detailing the orders that the customers desire. These forecasts are analyzed by
the supply chain server to ensure that they conform to contractual agreements and
do not contain errors. The supply chain server sends the forecasted demands to
at least one supplier after determining the forecasts are valid. The supply chain
server controls the processes involved in distributing the product from the suppliers
to the customers including the generation and payment of invoices. A form of financing
the customers' purchases, made possible by the novel supply chain architecture,
is also disclosed.
