Internet-based method and system for managing delivery of goods

• US 20030115104A1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Smith, Timothy Jay, Simmons, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/013,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20030115104A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

Method and system for managing delivery of goods from a supplier to a buyer are provided. The delivery generally involves at least one delivery agent, at least one store, at least one supplier, and a plurality of buyers, wherein the at least one delivery agent, the at least one store, and the at least one supplier are accessible through a communications network. The method allows a respective store to communicate respective order information to a logistics intermediary. The method further allows to store the respective order information in a database. A Web page is provided that includes basic order information. The Web page further includes a clickable icon for accessing detailed order information from the database in connection with that order.

Claims

1. A method for managing delivery of goods from a supplier to a buyer, said delivery generally involving at least one delivery agent, at least one store, at least one supplier, and a plurality of buyers, wherein the at least one delivery agent, the at least one store, and the at least one supplier are accessible through a communications network, said method comprising:

a respective store communicating respective order information to a logistics intermediary;

storing said respective order information in a database; and

providing a Web page including basic order information, said Web page further including a clickable icon for accessing detailed order information from said database in connection with said order.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said basic order information comprises demographic data of the buyer and a purchase order number.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said detailed order information comprises model number, quantity of goods, brand of the good, desired installation service, and desired delivery date.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said detailed order information enables the delivery agent to schedule delivery of the goods prior to the arrival of the goods to that delivery agent.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said detailed order information enables the store to confirm correct entry of the information communicated to the logistics intermediary by that store.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said detailed order information enables any logistics intermediary to assist the buyer regarding inquiries the buyer may have in connection with an order placed by that buyer.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said detailed order information enables to track changes requested by the buyer relative to an order placed by that buyer.

8. A computer-readable medium encoded with computer program code for managing delivery of goods from a supplier to a buyer, said delivery generally involving at least one delivery agent, at least one store, at least one supplier, and a plurality of buyers, wherein the at least one delivery agent, the at least one store, and the at least one supplier are accessible through a communications network, the program code causing a computer to execute a method comprising:

a respective store communicating respective order information to a logistics intermediary;

storing said respective order information in a database; and

providing a Web page including basic order information comprising demographic data of the buyer and a purchase order number, said Web page further including a clickable icon for accessing detailed order information from said database in connection with said order, wherein said detailed order information comprises model number, quantity of goods, brand of the goods, desired installation service, and desired delivery date.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein said detailed order information enables the delivery agent to schedule delivery of the goods prior to the arrival of the goods to that delivery agent.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein said detailed order information enables the store to confirm correct entry of the information communicated to the logistics intermediary by that store.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein said detailed order information enables any logistics intermediary to assist the buyer regarding inquiries the buyer may have in connection with an order placed by that buyer.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein said detailed order information enables to track changes requested by the buyer relative to an order placed by that buyer.

13. A system for managing delivery of goods from a supplier to a buyer, said delivery generally involving at least one delivery agent, at least one store, at least one supplier, and a plurality of buyers, wherein the at least one delivery agent, the at least one store, and the at least one supplier are accessible through a communications network, the system comprising:

a device configured to communicate respective order information from a store to a logistics intermediary;

a database configured to store said respective order information; and

a server configured to provide a Web page including basic order information, said Web page further including a clickable icon for accessing detailed order information from said database in connection with said order.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said basic order information comprises demographic data of the buyer and a purchase order number.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said detailed order information is selected from the group consisting of model number, quantity of goods, brand of the good, desired installation service, and desired delivery date.