System, method and computer program product for utilizing market demand information for generating revenue

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for risk management in a supply chain management framework. A supply chain manager is appointed for at least one buying supply chain participant. The supply chain manager is given authority to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant. One or more supply agreements are entered into for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price. Periodically, a commodity position price is established through the supply chain manager.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for risk management in a supply chain management framework, comprising: 
 a) appointing a supply chain manager for at least one buying supply chain participant;    b) authorizing the supply chain manager to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant;    c) entering into at least one supply agreement for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price; and    d) periodically establishing through the supply chain manager a commodity position price.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supply chain manager is granted authority to negotiate supply agreements for the at least one good on behalf of all buying supply chain participants.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one good is a raw material.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one good is a fully finished good.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an actual market price of the at least one good is kept secret from the at least one buying supply chain participant.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an identity of the at least one buying supply chain participant is kept secret from a supplier of the at least one good.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each supply agreement is between the supply chain manager on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant and a selling supply chain participant.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the good is an at least partially finished good.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining includes analyzing data collected from a plurality of supply chain participants relating to the sale of goods.  
     
     
         10 . A system for risk management in a supply chain management framework, comprising: 
 a) logic for appointing a supply chain manager for at least one buying supply chain participant;    b) logic for authorizing the supply chain manager to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant;    c) logic for entering into at least one supply agreement for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price; and    d) logic for periodically establishing through the supply chain manager a commodity position price.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the supply chain manager is granted authority to negotiate supply agreements for the at least one good on behalf of all buying supply chain participants.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one good is a raw material.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one good is a fully finished good.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein an actual market price of the at least one good is kept secret from the at least one buying supply chain participant.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein an identity of the at least one buying supply chain participant is kept secret from a supplier of the at least one good.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each supply agreement is between the supply chain manager on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant and a selling supply chain participant.  
     
     
         17 . A computer program product for risk management in a supply chain management framework, comprising: 
 a) computer code for appointing a supply chain manager for at least one buying supply chain participant;    b) computer code for authorizing the supply chain manager to negotiate supply agreements for at least one good on behalf of the at least one buying supply chain participant;    c) computer code for entering into at least one supply agreement for the at least one good, wherein provisions of the supply agreement include: (i) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including an actual market price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has not established a commodity position price; and (ii) pricing for each one good shall be based upon factors including a commodity position price of at least one commodity when the supply chain manager has established a commodity position price; and    d) computer code for periodically establishing through the supply chain manager a commodity position price.    
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the supply chain manager is granted authority to negotiate supply agreements for the at least one good on behalf of all buying supply chain participants.  
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one good is a raw material.  
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one good is a fully finished good.