Importance

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Abstract

A system is provided for reducing and managing the inventory of lasts needed for footwear production which comprises a foot sizing device for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a plurality of feet at a footwear sales location, a data processing device logically coupled to the foot sizing device for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing device, and a statistical trend analysis mechanism logically coupled to the data processing device for analyzing the foot sizing data received by the data processing device and for identifying foot sizing data groups whereby efficient manufacture of footwear lasts according to empirical foot sizing needs may be achieved. The system may include an inventory control feedback mechanism logically coupled to the data processing device which provides last inventory status information on demand. A method of inventory management is provided for footwear and last manufacture which comprises the steps of creating an automated foot sizing database including foot sizing data automatically inputted from a plurality of point of sale locations and from a plurality of measured feet, adding new foot sizing data to the automated foot sizing database each time a foot is measured, analyzing foot sizing data in the automated foot sizing database to identify foot size data groups, assigning inventory control values to each of the foot size data groups and utilizing the inventory control values to determine economical footwear last inventory needs according to the foot size data groups.

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