Integrated warehouse management, shipping, and inventory control system

Abstract

A computer-implemented inventory and shipping management system may include a plurality of dedicated modules integrated with a common central data store. The modules may be configured to communicate with each other only through the central data store. Item records may be stored in the central data store, including information relating to a packaging tier structure of each respective item. A user interface for entering inventory information may be dynamically updated by the system based on a selected measurement category.

1 . A system for managing an inventory of goods, the system comprising:
 a plurality of software modules including a warehouse management module, an inventory management module, and a delivery management module all operable within a control framework;   a common data store in communication with each of the software modules, wherein each of the software modules is configured to communicate with the other software modules only through the data store, the data store being configured to store records associated with pieces of inventory; and   a user interface through which an end user can interact with one or more of the plurality of software modules to manipulate the records stored in the data store.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of software modules and the control framework are distributed over a network. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the network comprises the Internet. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is provided as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a mobile electronic device having a bar code scanner. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes an electronic tablet configured to record an image of a delivery acceptance signature. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic tablet is in communication with the data store such that the image of the signature is immediately uploaded to the data store. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes an electronic tablet configured to provide a manifest for routing a delivery driver to a customer's location, to track the goods for delivery, and to deliver the goods to the customer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the common data store includes a relational database. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of software modules further includes a contact management module configured to manage information associated with customers and vendors. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the information associated with customers and vendors is maintained in one or more tables of the common data store.