Direct To Store Supply Chain System And Method

• US 20160086118A1
• Filed: 09/10/2015
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Niagara Bottling, LLC
• Original Assignee: Niagara Bottling, LLC
• Inventors: Reed, Brian Dwain, Reich, Canaan Orion, Correale, Alyssa Anne
• Granted Patent: US 11,461,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A system and a method are provided for a direct to store supply chain to bring high volume, bulk space products directly from suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors to retail locations, thereby bypassing retailer distribution centers. The system comprises an order management and invoicing system configured to facilitate demand signals from retail locations to manufacturers and vendors of desired products. A routing optimization system is configured to continually optimize an aggregate of orders so as to produce lowest-cost shipping solutions. A tracking and notification system is configured to provide manufacturers with clear tracking visibility of en-route deliveries once they leave manufacturing facilities.

Claims

1. A system for a direct to store supply chain to bring high volume, bulk space product directly from suppliers to retail locations, the system comprising:

an order management and invoicing system configured to route demand signals from the retail locations to suppliers of desired products;

a routing optimization system configured to continually optimize an aggregate of orders so as to produce lowest-cost shipping solutions; and

a tracking and notification system configured to provide the suppliers with tracking information about en-route deliveries.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a demand signal routing system configured to communicate demand signals from the retail locations to the intended suppliers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking and notification system is further configured to enable the suppliers to take necessary actions to ensure on-time deliveries to the retail locations.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing optimization system is configured to consider at least one of payload optimization, delivery routing, delivery dates, delivery times, and locations.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the order management and invoicing system comprises a vendor-managed inventory (VMI) platform, whereby the suppliers may create and adjust orders for the retail locations desiring to buy various products.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the order management and invoicing system comprises a custom replenishment signal, whereby the retail locations that are unable to operate under the VMI platform may still send demand signals to the suppliers.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the custom replenishment signal comprises a customized web-based mobile device application available to personnel working within the retail locations.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing optimization system is configured to use quantity tolerances for each retail location and product weights for each product so as to determine an optimal order quantity for each retail location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the routing optimization system is configured to build truckloads of products and route shipments so as to maximize the quantity of freight comprising each truckload.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the routing optimization system is configured to utilize an order flexing system to automatically adjust initial customer orders by a set or flexible pallet, or a case count to maximize the quantity of freight comprising each single or multi-stop truckload.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing optimization system is configured to consider delivery windows and then schedule shipping appointments for each retail location.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the delivery window associated with each retail location varies with each day of the week.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking and notification system is configured to provide the suppliers with actionable alerts based upon updates received from carriers in connection with truckloads in transit.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking and notification system is coupled with EDI 214 data communications to identify shipments that may miss scheduled delivery appointments.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking and notification system is configured to alert the retail locations about the status of inbound deliveries.

16. A method for a direct to store supply chain to direct products from suppliers to retail locations, comprising:

routing demand signals from one or more retail locations to intended suppliers of products;

optimizing an aggregate of orders so as to produce lowest-cost shipping solutions; and

providing the suppliers with tracking information about en-route deliveries.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein routing comprises providing a vendor-managed (VMI) platform to enable the suppliers to create and adjust orders for the retail locations.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein routing comprises providing a customized web-based mobile device application, whereby personnel working within the retail locations may send custom replenishment signals to the suppliers.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein optimizing comprises assembling truckloads of the products based on at least one of product shipping quantities, product physical properties, delivery routing, delivery dates, delivery times, and locations so as to maximize the quantity of the products comprising each of the truckloads.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein providing comprises receiving updates from carriers in connection with truckloads in transit and then providing actionable alerts to the suppliers.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein providing comprises conveying status information to the retail locations about inbound truckloads.