Method and apparatus for supporting delivery, sale and billing of perishable and time-sensitive goods such as newspapers, periodicals and direct marketing and promotional materials
First Claim
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1. A method of providing delivery management services comprising:
- using the at least one processor, operating web-enabled computing equipment providing a database and web enabled applications;
using the at least one processor allowing plural users to access said web-enabled computing equipment to define at least plural delivery routes and draws for delivery locations on said plural delivery routes;
using the at least one processor, communicating said delivery routes including draw information to respective remote handheld devices thereby enabling use of said handheld devices to collect delivery draw and return information for said delivery locations on said routes, the handheld devices each providing a user interface enabling delivery personnel to input draw and anal return information at the point of sale;
reporting said collected delivery draw and return information to said computing equipment;
based on said reported delivery draw and return information, using, said at least one processor to compile a draw history database storing at least draw and return information each of said delivery locations on said routes; and
using the at least one processor, tracking based on the draw history database, disparities between draws and demand at each of said delivery locations in order to adjust draws for individual delivery locations and the delivery routes to reduce waste and improve sales.
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Abstract
Tracking, controlling, optimizing, and otherwise managing the delivery of goods with a web server, a database server, and handheld computers. A database has at least route delivery information. At least portions of the database are communicated to respective handheld devices for display. Time-sensitive goods may be delivered based on information displayed on the handheld devices, which are also used to collect information during delivery. The collected information is communicated to the database for buffing, reporting and analysis.
28 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of providing delivery management services comprising:
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using the at least one processor, operating web-enabled computing equipment providing a database and web enabled applications; using the at least one processor allowing plural users to access said web-enabled computing equipment to define at least plural delivery routes and draws for delivery locations on said plural delivery routes; using the at least one processor, communicating said delivery routes including draw information to respective remote handheld devices thereby enabling use of said handheld devices to collect delivery draw and return information for said delivery locations on said routes, the handheld devices each providing a user interface enabling delivery personnel to input draw and anal return information at the point of sale; reporting said collected delivery draw and return information to said computing equipment; based on said reported delivery draw and return information, using, said at least one processor to compile a draw history database storing at least draw and return information each of said delivery locations on said routes; and using the at least one processor, tracking based on the draw history database, disparities between draws and demand at each of said delivery locations in order to adjust draws for individual delivery locations and the delivery routes to reduce waste and improve sales. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification