SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING SHIPPING PRACTICES
First Claim
1. A load planning system comprising one or more memory storage areas and at least one computer processor configured for executing the steps of:
- (A) receiving user input indicating a shipper, a certain origin location, and a time period;
(B) retrieving historical shipment data, said historical shipment data comprising an indication of a past destination location associated with each of one or more packages shipped from said certain origin location for said shipper by one or more shipping entities during said time period;
(C) receiving user input indicating a simulation origin location associated with a shipping hub operated by a certain shipping entity;
(D) retrieving package routing data for said certain shipping entity, said package routing data comprising an indication of a next shipping hub to which each of said one or more packages in said historical shipment data would be shipped from said simulation origin location en route to said past destination location associated with each of said one or more packages;
(E) generating a first simulation simulating the shipment of said one or more packages according to said package routing data, wherein generating said first simulation comprises identifying the next shipping hub to which each of said one or more packages would be inbound if shipped from said simulation origin location according to said package routing data;
(F) receiving user input indicating one or more modifications to said package routing data;
(G) generating modified package routing data based on said modifications; and
(H) generating a second simulation simulating the shipment of said one or more packages according to said modified package routing data, wherein generating said second simulation comprises identifying the next shipping hub to which each of said one or more packages would be inbound if shipped from said simulation origin location according to said modified package routing data.
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Abstract
According to various embodiments, a load planning system is provided for simulating shipments based on a shipping entity'"'"'s planned routing of packages and a shipper'"'"'s (e.g., shipping entity customer) historical shipping volume. By using the load planning system to simulate shipments according to a variety of package routing plans, a user of the load planning system may identify shipping routes along which certain shipments may by-pass the sorting process of regional shipping hubs. These by-passing routes allow the shipping entity to provide the shipper with more efficient and less costly shipping options according to various embodiments.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A load planning system comprising one or more memory storage areas and at least one computer processor configured for executing the steps of:
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(A) receiving user input indicating a shipper, a certain origin location, and a time period; (B) retrieving historical shipment data, said historical shipment data comprising an indication of a past destination location associated with each of one or more packages shipped from said certain origin location for said shipper by one or more shipping entities during said time period; (C) receiving user input indicating a simulation origin location associated with a shipping hub operated by a certain shipping entity; (D) retrieving package routing data for said certain shipping entity, said package routing data comprising an indication of a next shipping hub to which each of said one or more packages in said historical shipment data would be shipped from said simulation origin location en route to said past destination location associated with each of said one or more packages; (E) generating a first simulation simulating the shipment of said one or more packages according to said package routing data, wherein generating said first simulation comprises identifying the next shipping hub to which each of said one or more packages would be inbound if shipped from said simulation origin location according to said package routing data; (F) receiving user input indicating one or more modifications to said package routing data; (G) generating modified package routing data based on said modifications; and (H) generating a second simulation simulating the shipment of said one or more packages according to said modified package routing data, wherein generating said second simulation comprises identifying the next shipping hub to which each of said one or more packages would be inbound if shipped from said simulation origin location according to said modified package routing data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for moving packages comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing a dedicated logistical shipment server configured to; (1) simulate the shipment of various packages according to one or more package routing schemes; (2) select one of said one or more package routing schemes in accordance with user preferences; (3) assign package routing data to one or more packages, wherein said package routing data instructs a shipping entity to ship said one or more packages according to the selected package routing scheme; and (B) shipping said one or more packages through a network of shipping hubs according to said package routing data.
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Specification