System and Method for Managing and Optimizing Delivery Networks

Abstract

A system and method are provided for managing and optimizing delivery networks. The method includes providing an intermediary between a consumer and a plurality of carriers, each carrier enabling items to be transported from pick up locations for the items to a delivery location associated with the consumer. The method also includes enabling, via a user interface for the intermediary, the consumer to request delivery of an order comprising one or more items to the delivery location. The method also includes communicating with the plurality of carriers to determine at least one available delivery time window according to carrier availability and a transit time for the requested delivery, the transit time being affected by inventory data and the delivery location. The method also includes initiating the delivery by a selected one of the plurality of carriers.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for executing a delivery, the method comprising:
 obtaining a delivery plan based on at least an origin of one or more items to be delivered, an availability of the one or more items, and a delivery destination;   receiving real time data associated with local attributes for a geographic region associated with the delivery plan;   determining an optimized delivery route for the delivery plan using the real time data and by identifying a plurality of traffic zones;   incorporating the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan;   initiating the delivery based on the delivery plan, on behalf of a retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler, by communicating with a selected one of a plurality of carriers;   receiving real time location data from the selected carrier;   using the real time location data to refine the optimized delivery route, by i) rerouting the selected carrier through or away from one or more of the traffic zones in at least one of the sub sectors, and/or ii) rerouting the selected carrier based on availability of the one or more items, according to the real time location data; and   sending a new optimized delivery route to the selected carrier.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the optimized delivery route is determined by:
 defining the geographic region;   defining a plurality of sub sectors within the geographic region;   refining the sub sectors according to the real time data associated with the local attributes affecting the corresponding sub sector to identify the plurality of traffic zones; and   using the refined sub sectors to map the optimized delivery route;   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 communicating the delivery plan to the plurality of carriers to determine, in response, multiple available delivery time windows, provided by multiple carriers, according to at least transit time dictated by the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan, respective carrier availability, and respective carrier capacity;   communicating the multiple available delivery time windows to a purchasing user interface associated with the retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler;   receiving from the purchasing user interface, a selection of a particular available time window; and   assigning the selected time window to the delivery.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 providing access to an intermediary server device via a communication network, the intermediary device being connectable to a consumer having access to a purchasing user interface via a consumer device and the network, and being connectable via the network to the plurality of carriers each having a carrier device, each carrier enabling items to be transported from pick up locations for the items to a delivery location associated with the consumer, the purchasing user interface being integrated with the intermediary server device via the network by the retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler; and   enabling, via the purchasing user interface accessed by the consumer or consumer device, the consumer to request delivery of an order comprising one or more items to the delivery location by communicating with the intermediary server device.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising generating an electronic delivery appointment and communicating the delivery appointment to at least one of the selected carrier and the consumer device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the selection is made at a retail location, or using a personal device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the intermediary server device is integrated with the retailer interface using a customized front end interface. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the transit time is determined according to inventory available at one or more vendors, and the geographic region associated with the delivery location. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising receiving delivery status data from the selected carrier. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the delivery status data comprises any one or more of: a pick up status, a delivery status, a route change, a damage notification, and a signature. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the delivery status data comprises at least one image, the at least one image capturing either the delivery location or damage to the one or more items. 
     
     
         36 . A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for executing a delivery, the computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
 obtaining a delivery plan based on at least an origin of one or more items to be delivered, an availability of the one or more items, and a delivery destination;   receiving real time data associated with local attributes for a geographic region associated with the delivery plan;   determining an optimized delivery route for the delivery plan using the real time data and by identifying a plurality of traffic zones;   incorporating the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan;   initiating the delivery based on the delivery plan, on behalf of a retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler, by communicating with a selected one of a plurality of carriers;   receiving real time location data from the selected carrier;   using the real time location data to refine the optimized delivery route, by i) rerouting the selected carrier through or away from one or more of the traffic zones in at least one of the sub sectors, and/or ii) rerouting the selected carrier based on availability of the one or more items, according to the real time location data; and   sending a new optimized delivery route to the selected carrier.   
     
     
         37 . A system for executing a delivery, the system comprising a processor and memory, the memory comprising computer executable instructions for:
 obtaining a delivery plan based on at least an origin of one or more items to be delivered, an availability of the one or more items, and a delivery destination;   receiving real time data associated with local attributes for a geographic region associated with the delivery plan;   determining an optimized delivery route for the delivery plan using the real time data and by identifying a plurality of traffic zones;   incorporating the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan;   initiating the delivery based on the delivery plan, on behalf of a retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler, by communicating with a selected one of a plurality of carriers;   receiving real time location data from the selected carrier;   using the real time location data to refine the optimized delivery route, by i) rerouting the selected carrier through or away from one or more of the traffic zones in at least one of the sub sectors, and/or ii) rerouting the selected carrier based on availability of the one or more items, according to the real time location data; and   sending a new optimized delivery route to the selected carrier.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the optimized delivery route is determined by:
 defining the geographic region;   defining a plurality of sub sectors within the geographic region;   refining the sub sectors according to the real time data associated with the local attributes affecting the corresponding sub sector to identify the plurality of traffic zones; and   using the refined sub sectors to map the optimized delivery route;   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising instructions for:
 communicating the delivery plan to the plurality of carriers to determine, in response, multiple available delivery time windows, provided by multiple carriers, according to at least transit time dictated by the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan, respective carrier availability, and respective carrier capacity;   communicating the multiple available delivery time windows to a purchasing user interface associated with the retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler;   receiving from the purchasing user interface, a selection of a particular available time window; and   assigning the selected time window to the delivery.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising instructions for:
 providing access to an intermediary server device via a communication network, the intermediary device being connectable to a consumer having access to a purchasing user interface via a consumer device and the network, and being connectable via the network to the plurality of carriers each having a carrier device, each carrier enabling items to be transported from pick up locations for the items to a delivery location associated with the consumer, the purchasing user interface being integrated with the intermediary server device via the network by the retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler; and   enabling, via the purchasing user interface accessed by the consumer or consumer device, the consumer to request delivery of an order comprising one or more items to the delivery location by communicating with the intermediary server device.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising instructions for generating an electronic delivery appointment and communicating the delivery appointment to at least one of the selected carrier and the consumer device. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the selection is made at a retail location, or using a personal device. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the intermediary server device is integrated with the retailer interface using a customized front end interface. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the transit time is determined according to inventory available at one or more vendors, and the geographic region associated with the delivery location. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising instructions for receiving delivery status data from the selected carrier. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the delivery status data comprises any one or more of: a pick up status, a delivery status, a route change, a damage notification, and a signature. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the delivery status data comprises at least one image, the at least one image capturing either the delivery location or damage to the one or more items.