A computer implemented Availability Checking Tool wherein tool users work
within a common work environment, from common enterprise data, and
considering assets and demands across multiple order management systems
and manufacturing facilities within boundaries established by
manufacturing specifications, process flows and business policies. Tool
users can easily maintain a synergistic relationship between orders from
multiple demand sources or ordering systems. A demand configurator
receives demand information from each demand source and coordinates
product requests in accordance with customer request rules and
priorities. A supply configurator receives manufacturing and planning
data from a planning source and manipulates the received manufacturing
and planning data to create new supply data. A material resource engine
provides material supply information from the new supply data, the
received demand information following product supply rules and
priorities. A solver optimizes product availability information in
response to the material supply information, product supply rules and
priorities.