Shipment flow validation systems and methods

• US 8,364,607 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2009
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Perry, Andy Logan
• Primary Examiner(s): BORISSOV, IGOR N
• Application Number:
  US12/544,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20110047000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1.1, 705/7.11, 705/7.12, 705/7.13, 705/7.23, 705/7.36, 705 737- 739, 705/323, 705330-341, 705/348, 705/400, 705/417, 705/418, 703/2, 703/6
• US Class Current: 705/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a flow validation system models distribution flows of a consignor'"'"'s packages from each of one or more hubs within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network. The flow validation system allows the carrier and/or the consignor to identify at least one optimal hub within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network to which packages destined for a particular geographical area (e.g., three-digit ZIP code) should be shipped from their origin and from which the packages should be distributed through the carrier'"'"'s general shipping network to their respective destinations. According to various embodiments, the optimal hub (or hubs) for packages destined for a particular geographical area may be identified based on the number of days expected to transport the packages from the origin to the particular geographical area via the optimal hub (least “time-in-transit”) and/or the distance (or range of distances) between the optimal hub and the particular geographical area.

Claims

1. A system for modeling distribution flow for a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network, the system comprising memory and at least one computer processor, the at least one computer processor configured for:

retrieving a current distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a current distribution hub to a first geographical area, based at least in part on a consignor'"'"'s average package volume for the first geographical area for a specific time period, the current distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the current distribution hub to which the set of packages are to be transported from an origin and (2) a current number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the current distribution hub;

generating an alternative distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network from an alternative distribution hub to the first geographical area, the alternative distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the alternative distribution hub to which the set of packages may be transported from the origin and (2) an alternative number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the alternative distribution hub, wherein the alternative distribution hub is located remotely from the current distribution hub;

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model for the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network to determine which model indicates a lesser number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the lesser number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the current distribution flow model further indicates a current zone associated with the current distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the current zone indicating a current distance between the current distribution hub and the first geographical area,

the alternative distribution flow model further indicates an alternative zone associated with the alternative distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the alternative zone indicating an alternative distance between the alternative distribution hub and the first geographical area,

the at least one processor is further configured for;

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a zone indicating a lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area, and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the zone indicating the lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the current distance is a first range of distances and the alternative distance is a second range of distances.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the alternative distribution flow model is a first alternative distribution flow model, the alternative distribution hub is a first alternative distribution hub, and the alternative number of days is a first alternative number of days, and

the at least one computer processor is further configured for;

generating a second alternative distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a second alternative distribution hub to the first geographical area, the second alternative distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the second alternative distribution hub to which the set of packages may be transported from the origin and (2) a second alternative number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the second alternative distribution hub, wherein the second alternative distribution hub is located remotely from the current distribution hub and the first alternative distribution hub;

comparing the current distribution flow model, the first alternative distribution flow model, and the second distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a least number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the least number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the at least one processor is further configured for causing the at least one identified optimal distribution flow model to be displayed to a user via a user interface.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein:

the set of packages is a first set of packages and the current number of days is a first current number of days,

the current distribution flow model further indicates a second current number of days expected for transporting a second set of packages from a second origin to a second geographical area via the current distribution hub,

the first alternative distribution flow model further indicates a third alternative number of days expected for transporting the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area via the first alternative distribution hub,

the second alternative distribution flow model further indicates a fourth alternative number of days expected for transporting the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area via the second alternative distribution hub, and

the at least one computer processor is further configured for;

comparing the current distribution flow model, the first alternative distribution flow model, and the second alternative distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a least number of days expected to transport the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the second geographical area based on which model indicates the least number of days expected to transport the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first geographical area is a first ZIP code and the second geographical area is a second ZIP code, wherein the first and second ZIP codes are geographically remote from each other.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the first origin and the second origin are the same.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the first origin and the second origin are geographically remote from each other.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the at least one computer processor is further configured for:

comparing the at least one identified optimal model associated with the first geographical area with the at least one identified optimal model associated with the second geographical area; and

in response to a particular one of the respective hubs of the at least one identified optimal model associated with the first geographical area being the same as a particular one of the respective hubs of the at least one identified optimal model associated with the second geographical area, assigning the first set of packages and the second set of packages to be distributed from the particular hub.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the average package volume is an average daily volume of packages.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the average daily volume is less than one.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured for causing the at least one identified optimal distribution flow model to be displayed to a user via a user interface.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the set of packages is a first set of packages, the current number of days is a first current number of days, and the alternative number of days is a first alternative number of days;

the current distribution flow model further indicates a second current number of days expected for transporting a second set of packages from a second origin to a second geographical area via the current distribution hub;

the alternative distribution flow model further indicates a second alternative number of days expected for transporting the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area via the alternative distribution hub;

and the at least one computer processor is further configured for;

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a least number of days expected to transport the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the second geographical area based on which model indicates the least number of days expected to transport the second set of packages from the second origin to the second geographical area.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the current distribution flow model further indicates;

(1) a first current zone associated with the current distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the first current zone indicating a distance between the current distribution hub and the first geographical area, and (2) a second current zone associated with the current distribution hub and the second geographical area pair, the second current zone indicating a current distance between the current distribution hub and the second geographical area;

the alternative distribution flow model further indicates;

(1) a first alternative zone associated with the alternative distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the first alternative zone indicating a distance between the alternative distribution hub and the first geographical area, and (2) a second alternative zone associated with the alternative distribution hub and the second geographical area pair, the second alternative zone indicating an alternative distance between the alternative distribution hub and the second geographical area; and

the at least one processor is further configured for;

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a zone indicating a lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area,

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a zone indicating a lesser distance between the respective hub and the second geographical area,

identifying at lesser one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the zone indicating the lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area, and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the second geographical area based on which model indicates the zone indicating the least distance between the respective hub and the second geographical area.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the current distance is a first range of distances and the alternative distance is a second range of distances.

17. A system for modeling distribution flow for a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network, the system comprising memory and at least one computer processor, the at least one computer processor configured for:

generating a first distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a first distribution hub to a first geographical area, based at least in part on a consignor'"'"'s average package volume for the first geographical area for a specific time period, the first distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the first distribution hub to which the set of packages may be transported from an origin and (2) a first number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the first distribution hub;

generating a second distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a second distribution hub to the first geographical area, the second distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the second distribution hub to which the set of packages may be transported from the origin and (2) a second number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the second distribution hub, wherein the second distribution hub is located remotely from the first distribution hub;

comparing the first distribution flow model and the second distribution flow model for the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network to determine which model indicates a least number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the least number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical.

18. A system for modeling distribution flow for a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network, the system comprising memory and at least one computer processor, the at least one computer processor configured for:

retrieving a current distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a current distribution hub to a first geographical area, based at least in part on a consignor'"'"'s average package volume for the first geographical area for a specific time period, the current distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the current distribution hub to which the set of packages are to be transported from an origin and (2) a current zone associated with the current distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the current zone indicating a current distance between the current distribution hub and the first geographical area;

generating an alternative distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network from an alternative distribution hub to the first geographical area, the alternative distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the alternative distribution hub to which the set of packages may be transported from the origin and (2) an alternative zone associated with the alternative distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the alternative zone indicating an alternative distance between the alternative distribution hub and the first geographical area, wherein the alternative distribution hub is located remotely from the current distribution hub;

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model for the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network to determine which model indicates a zone indicating a lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the zone indicating the lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the current distribution flow model further indicates a current number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the current distribution hub,

the alternative distribution flow model further indicates an alternative number of days expected for transporting the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area via the alternative distribution hub, wherein the alternative distribution hub is located remotely from the current distribution hub, and

the at least one processor is further configured for;

comparing the current distribution flow model and the alternative distribution flow model to determine which model indicates a lesser number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the lesser number of days expected to transport the set of packages from the origin to the first geographical area.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the current distance is a first range of distances and the alternative distance is a second range of distances.

21. A system for modeling distribution flow for a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network, the system comprising memory and at least one computer processor, the at least one computer processor configured for:

generating a first distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of a set of packages within a carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a first distribution hub to a first geographical area, based at least in part on a consignor'"'"'s average package volume for the first geographical area for a specific time period, the first distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the first distribution hub to which the set of packages may be transported from an origin and (2) a first zone associated with the first distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the first zone indicating a first distance between the first distribution hub and the first geographical area;

generating a second distribution flow model for simulating the transportation flow of the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network from a second distribution hub to the first geographical area, the second distribution flow model indicating at least;

(1) the second distribution hub to which the packages may be transported from the origin and (2) a second zone associated with the second distribution hub and the first geographical area pair, the second zone indicating a second distance between the second distribution hub and the first geographical area, wherein the second distribution hub is located remotely from the first distribution hub;

comparing the first distribution flow model and the second distribution flow model for the set of packages within the carrier'"'"'s shipping network to determine which model indicates a zone indicating a lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area; and

identifying at least one of the models as an optimal distribution flow model associated with the first geographical area based on which model indicates the zone indicating the lesser distance between the respective hub and the first geographical area.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the first distance is a first range of distances and the second distance is a second range of distances.