WORLDWIDE MARKETING LOGISTICS NETWORK INCLUDING STRATEGICALLY LOCATED CENTERS FOR FREQUENCY PROGRAMMING CRYSTAL OSCILLATORS TO CUSTOMER SPECIFICATION

A worldwide logistics network includes a processing center for receiving customer orders for crystal oscillators over communications links, processing the orders, and generating work orders that are selectively disseminated over communications links to programming centers at strategic locations around the world. Each of the programming centers carries an inventory of generic programmable crystal oscillators. Upon receipt of a work order, a programming center withdraws quantity of programmable crystal oscillators from inventory sufficient to fill the customer order, and, using automated parts handling equipment, the oscillators are successively directed to an interface position with a computer. There, the unique crystal frequency of each oscillator is read and each oscillator is uniquely programmed on the basis of its crystal frequency to generate an output frequency meeting customer specification. Upon completion of this final manufacturing step, the programmed crystal oscillators are shipped to the customers directly from the programming centers.