Method and system for interfacing with a shipping service

• US 6,785,718 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Logistics Incorporated (Schneider National Carriers Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Logistics Incorporated (Schneider National Carriers Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hancock, Brian D., Schommer, Robert J., Olson, Douglas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, VIET DUY
• Application Number:
  US09/768,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/328, 709/329, 707/10, 707/104, 700/214, 700/215
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials

Abstract

A logistics node receives a purchase order from a customer. The logistics node selects an appropriate carrier to transport products specified in the purchase order and conveys shipping instructions to the selected carrier. The logistics node also coordinates the shipment by interacting with a source node (associated with a supplier of the products) and a destination node (associated with the recipient of the products). According to one exemplary feature, the logistics node provides an interface that permits users involved in the distribution chain to track the status of the shipments without having to enter tracking codes that are unique to individual carriers. According to another exemplary feature, the interface allows a user to access multiple “levels” of information regarding a shipment, including information pertaining to an individual product within a shipment containing multiple products. According to another exemplary feature, the interface allows a user to change the priority status associated with particular products that have already been presented for shipment. According to another exemplary feature, the interface provides different “views” for use by different respective users. Each of the views provides a corresponding different set of tools for use in interacting with the freight managing service.

Claims

1. A logistics node for administering the shipment of a product from a source node to a destination node comprising:

an interface unit for coupling the logistics node with at least one remote entity;

a processing unit coupled to the interface unit for controlling the operation of the logistics node;

a database coupled to the processing unit for storing information pertaining to the shipment of a product from the source node to the destination node;

modification logic for modifying the shipment in response to a user input; and

tracking logic for receiving an inquiry from a user regarding a shipment being made by at least one of a plurality of possible carrier candidates, and in response thereto, providing information pertaining to the shipment,

wherein the inquiry does not require a user to specify carrier-specific information to successfully retrieve information regarding the shipment.

2. The logistics node according to claim 1, wherein the inquiry identifies a product being shipped in the shipment.

3. The logistics node according to claim 1, wherein the shipment involves transferring a load from a first carrier to a second carrier at a cross dock node.

8. The logistics node of claim 1 further comprising logic for receiving a communication from any node in a distribution chain including the source node and the destination node, and coordinating, in response thereto, with another node in the distribution chain.

9. The logistics node of claim 2 further comprising said tracking logic configured to provide, in response to the inquiry, information pertaining to each shipment that contains the product.

4. A method for administering the shipment of a product from a source node to a destination node:

providing a freight management tool to a user;

providing the user an interface with which to interact with the freight management tool;

receiving an inquiry from a user regarding a shipment being made by at least one of a plurality of possible carrier candidates, and in response thereto, providing information pertaining to the shipment; and

modifying the shipment in response to a user input;

wherein the inquiry does not require a user to specify carrier-specific information to successfully retrieve information regarding the shipment.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry identifies a product being shipped in the shipment.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the shipment involves transferring a load from a first carrier to a second carrier at a cross dock node.

7. The logistics node of claim 4 wherein the information pertaining to the shipment is not derived solely from information supplied by a carrier.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein the information pertaining to the shipment is not derived solely from information supplied by a carrier.

11. The method of claim 4 further comprising receiving a communication from any node in a distribution chain including the source node and the destination node, and coordinating, in response thereto, with another node in the distribution chain.

12. The method of claim 5 further comprising, in response to said receiving, providing information pertaining to each shipment that contains the product.