Consolidated shipping and distribution of multiple orders with returns

• US 20040153379A1
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2003
• 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: Joyce, Robert F., Thornton, Daniel B., Smith, Gary Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,426,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• 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 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods of consolidating, shipping and distributing items comprising multiple orders to multiple customers. The orders are received by an inventory management service, filled and packaged at a centralized distribution center in fewer containers than there are orders. For instance, if there are N orders destined for a particular authorized outlet, then the N orders will be consolidated and shipped in at most N−1, or fewer, containers. However, each order is individually packaged, controlled, tracked and received as an individual order. The consolidated containers are shipped to an authorized outlet and the individual orders are distributed to the customers. Also provided are systems and methods for returning orders that are not picked up at the authorized outlet to a central location. The items may be, for example, service parts, wireless communication devices, etc. Warehousing, shipping and transportation costs are reduced by this invention.

Claims

1. A system for distributing an item, comprised of:

an inventory management service, wherein an order placed by a customer comprised of one or more items is received;

a centralized distribution center, wherein each item ordered by the customer is obtained,

a sub-package, wherein one or more items ordered by the customer are placed;

a sub-package identifier that is associated with the sub-package;

a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier, wherein at least two sub-packages are placed in the shipping container and prepared for shipment;

a tracking system that allows tracking of the shipping container during shipment, wherein the sub-package identifier of each sub-package in a shipping container is linked with the tracking identifier of the shipping container; and

a localized distribution center, wherein the shipping container is received and unpacked, access to the sub-package is controlled and the sub-package is made available for retrieval and if the sub-package is retrieved receipt of the sub-package is acknowledged.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the item is a service part.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the item is a wireless communications device.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control device, wherein the control device associates the sub-package identifier with the customer.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control log, wherein the control log associates the sub-package identifier with the customer and receipt of the sub-package is acknowledged on the control log.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprised of a return system wherein the sub-package is returned to the centralized distribution center if the sub-package is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a return shipping authorization is provided by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return un-retrieved sub-packages to the centralized distribution center.

11. A system for distributing a service part, comprised of:

an inventory management service, wherein an order placed by a customer for one or more service parts is received;

a centralized distribution center, wherein each service part ordered by the customer is obtained;

a sub-package, wherein one or more service parts ordered by the customer are placed;

a sub-package identifier that is associated with the sub-package;

a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier, wherein at least two sub-packages are placed in the shipping container and prepared for shipment;

a tracking system that allows tracking of the shipping container during shipment, wherein the sub-package identifier of each sub-package in a shipping container is linked with the tracking identifier of the shipping container; and

a localized distribution center, wherein the shipping container is received and unpacked, access to the sub-package is controlled and the sub-package is made available for retrieval and if the sub-package is retrieved receipt of the sub-package is acknowledged.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a control device, wherein the control device associates the sub-package identifier with the customer.

13. The system of claim 11 further comprising a control log, wherein the control log associates the sub-package identifier with the customer and receipt of the sub-package is acknowledged on the control log.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

17. The system of claim 11 further comprised of a return system wherein the sub-package is returned to the centralized distribution center if the sub-package is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein a return shipping authorization is provided by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return un-retrieved sub-packages to the centralized distribution center.

19. A system for distributing a wireless communication device, comprised of:

an inventory management service, wherein an order placed by a customer for one or more wireless communication devices is received;

a centralized distribution center, wherein each wireless communication device ordered by the customer is obtained;

a device identifier that is associated with each wireless communication device;

a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier, wherein one or more wireless communication devices are placed in the shipping container and prepared for shipment;

a tracking system that allows tracking of the shipping container during shipment, wherein the device identifier of each wireless communication device in a shipping container is linked with the tracking identifier of the shipping container; and

a localized distribution center, wherein the shipping container is received and unpacked, access to the wireless communication device is controlled and the wireless communication device is made available for retrieval and if the wireless communication device is retrieved receipt of the wireless communication device is acknowledged.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a control device, wherein the control device associates the device identifier with the customer.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising a control log, wherein the control log associates the device identifier with the customer and receipt of the wireless communication device is acknowledged on the control log.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the device identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the device identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the device identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

25. The system of claim 19 further comprised of a return system wherein the wireless communication device is returned to the centralized distribution center if the wireless communication device is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein a return shipping authorization is provided by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return an un-retrieved wireless communication device to the centralized distribution center.

27. A system for distributing an item, comprised of:

an inventory management service, wherein an order placed by a customer comprised of one or more items is received;

a centralized distribution center, wherein each item ordered by the customer is obtained;

a sub-package, wherein one or more items ordered by the customer are placed;

a sub-package identifier that is associated with the sub-package;

a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier, wherein at least two sub-packages are placed in the shipping container and prepared for shipment;

a tracking system that allows tracking of the shipping container during shipment, wherein the sub-package identifier of each sub-package in a shipping container is linked with the tracking identifier of the shipping container;

a control device, wherein the control device associates the sub-package identifier and the customer;

a localized distribution center, wherein the shipping container is received and unpacked and access to the sub-package is controlled and the sub-package is made available for retrieval; and

a control log, wherein the control log associates the sub-package identifier with the customer and if the sub-package is retrieved receipt of the sub-package is acknowledged.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the control device is used as the control log.

32. The system of claim 27 further comprised of a return system wherein the sub-package is returned to the centralized distribution center if the sub-package is not retrieved from the localized distribution center within a designated period of time.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein a return shipping authorization is provided by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return an un-retrieved sub-package to the centralized distribution center.

34. A method of distributing an item comprising:

receiving an order comprised or one or more items placed by a customer;

obtaining each item ordered by the customer;

placing each item ordered by the customer into a sub-package;

associating a sub-package identifier with each sub-package;

placing at least two sub-packages into a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier and preparing the sub-packages and the shipping container for shipment;

linking each sub-package identifier within the shipping container with the shipping container'"'"'s tracking identifier;

shipping the shipping container to a localized distribution center and tracking the shipping container during shipment;

receiving and unpacking the shipping container at the localized distribution center; and

controlling access to the sub-package at the localized distribution center and making the sub-package available for retrieval and if the sub-package is retrieved obtaining acknowledgment of the receipt of the sub-package.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the item is a service part.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the item is a wireless communications device.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of:

associating the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier and showing such association on a control device, wherein the control device is associated with the shipping container.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of:

showing the association between the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier on a control log and acknowledging receipt of the sub-package on the control log.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the control device is used as the control log.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

43. The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of:

returning the sub-package is returned to the centralized distribution center through a return system if the sub-package is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of:

providing a return shipping authorization by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return un-retrieved sub-packages to the centralized distribution center.

45. A method for distributing a service part comprising:

receiving an order comprised or one or more service parts placed by a customer;

obtaining each service part ordered by the customer;

placing each service part ordered by the customer into a sub-package;

associating a sub-package identifier with each sub-package;

placing at least two sub-packages into a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier and preparing the sub-packages and the shipping container for shipment;

linking each sub-package identifier within the shipping container with the shipping container'"'"'s tracking identifier;

shipping the shipping container to a localized distribution center and tracking the shipping container during shipment;

receiving and unpacking the shipping container at the localized distribution center; and

controlling access to the sub-package at the localized distribution center and making the sub-package available for retrieval and if the sub-package is retrieved obtaining acknowledgment of the receipt of the sub-package.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of:

associating the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier and showing such association on a control device, wherein the control device is associated with the shipping container.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of:

showing the association between the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier on a control log and acknowledging receipt of the sub-package on the control log.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the control device is used as the control log.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

51. The method of claim 45, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

52. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of:

returning the sub-package to the centralized distribution center through a return system if the sub-package is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of:

providing a return shipping authorization by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return un-retrieved sub-packages to the centralized distribution center.

54. A method for distributing a wireless communication device, comprising:

receiving an order comprised or one or more wireless communication devices placed by a customer;

obtaining each wireless communication device ordered by the customer;

associating a device identifier with each wireless communication device;

placing at least two wireless communication devices into a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier and preparing the wireless communication devices and the shipping container for shipment;

linking each device identifier within the shipping container with the shipping container'"'"'s tracking identifier;

shipping the shipping container to a localized distribution center and tracking the shipping container during shipment;

receiving and unpacking the shipping container at the localized distribution center; and

controlling access to the wireless communication device at the localized distribution center and making the wireless communication device available for retrieval and if the wireless communication device is retrieved obtaining acknowledgment of the receipt of the wireless communication device.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising the step of:

associating the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier and showing such association on a control device, wherein the control device is associated with the shipping container.

56. The method of claim 55 further comprising the step of:

showing the association between the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier on a control log and acknowledging receipt of the sub-package on the control log.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the control device is used as the control log.

58. The method of claim 54, wherein the device identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein the device identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein the device identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

61. The method of claim 54 further comprising the step of:

returning the wireless communication device to the centralized distribution center through a return system if the sub-package is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of:

providing a return shipping authorization by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return un-retrieved wireless communication devices to the centralized distribution center.

63. The method of claim 54 further comprising the step of:

returning an exchanged wireless communication device left at the localized distribution center to the centralized distribution center through a return system.

64. A method of distributing an item comprising:

receiving an order comprised or one or more items placed by a customer;

obtaining each item ordered by the customer;

placing each item ordered by the customer into a sub-package;

associating a sub-package identifier with each sub-package;

placing at least two sub-packages into a shipping container that is associated with a tracking identifier and preparing the sub-packages and the shipping container for shipment;

linking each sub-package identifier within the shipping container with the shipping container'"'"'s tracking identifier;

associating the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to a customer identifier and showing such association on a control device and associating the control device with the shipping container;

shipping the shipping container to a localized distribution center and tracking the shipping container during shipment;

receiving and unpacking the shipping container at the localized distribution center;

showing the association between the sub-package identifier of each sub-package within the shipping container to the customer identifier on a control log; and

controlling access to the sub-package at the localized distribution center and making the sub-package available for retrieval and if the sub-package is retrieved obtaining acknowledgment of the receipt of the sub-package on the control log.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are machine-readable indicia.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are human-readable indicia.

67. The method of claim 64, wherein the sub-package identifier and the tracking identifier are both machine-readable and human-readable indicia.

68. The method of claim 64, further comprising the step of:

returning the item to the centralized distribution center through a return system if the sub-package is not retrieved within a designated period of time.

69. The method of claim 64, further comprising the step of:

providing a return shipping authorization by the inventory management service to be used by the localized distribution center to return un-retrieved items to the centralized distribution center.

70. The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of:

returning an item left at the localized distribution center to the centralized distribution center through a return system.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the control device is used as the control log.