Electronic device and item allocation method thereof

Abstract

An item allocation method of an electronic device is disclosed. The item allocation method may comprise the steps of: obtaining information on a first order including information on one or more items; identifying, on the basis of inventory information of zone groups in a plurality of fulfillment centers, a plurality of zone groups having inventory of one or more stock keeping units (SKUs) corresponding to the one or more items among the zone groups; determining priorities of the plurality of zone groups on the basis of information on packing methods set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups; and determining, on the basis of the priorities of the plurality of zone groups, a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs to minimize the number of parcels for packing the one or more SKUs.

Description

Electronic devices and their item allocation methods

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a control method thereof for more efficiently allocating items based on a zone group in which a logistics center is divided into several zones according to a delivery method, a picking method, a packaging method, etc.

[0002] As internet use becomes more widespread, the e-commerce market is expanding. In particular, interest in e-commerce / online shopping, which allows for contactless product purchases, is rapidly increasing due to the spread of infectious diseases. Items sold through e-commerce are delivered to a logistics center, processed based on customer order information, and then delivered to the customer's shipping address.

[0003] At this time, the more parcels a user receives, the worse the user experience and the higher the cost, so it is necessary to allocate items to distribution centers to minimize the number of parcels used to package items ordered by users.

[0004] The disclosed embodiments provide an electronic device and an item allocation method thereof. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide an electronic device and a control method thereof that more efficiently allocates items based on zone groups, which divide a logistics center into multiple zones based on delivery methods, picking methods, packaging methods, etc.

[0005] The technical tasks to be achieved by this embodiment are not limited to the technical tasks described above, and other technical tasks can be inferred from the following embodiments.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure may provide a method for allocating items, comprising: obtaining information about a first order including information about one or more items; identifying a plurality of zone groups in a plurality of fulfillment centers, based on inventory information of zone groups, of which one or more SKUs (stock keeping units) corresponding to the one or more items are in stock; determining priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on information about packing methods set for the plurality of zone groups and the inventory information of the plurality of zone groups; and determining a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs based on the priorities of the plurality of zone groups to minimize the number of parcels for packing the one or more SKUs.

[0007] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first logistics center among the plurality of logistics centers includes one or more zone groups, and a packaging method set for the first zone group among the one or more zone groups includes one of a first packaging method for individually packaging SKUs, a second packaging method for collectively packaging SKUs of the same type, and a third packaging method for collectively packaging SKUs of different types, and an item allocation method may be provided in which SKUs displayed in one or more zones included in the first zone group are packaged in the packaging method set for the first zone group.

[0008] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of zone groups may include: determining the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on a first criterion regarding a packaging method and the number of types of SKUs; determining the priority of a plurality of second zone groups to which the same priority is assigned according to a second criterion regarding the number of types of SKUs; determining the priority of a plurality of third zone groups to which the same priority is assigned according to a third criterion regarding the number of SKUs in stock according to the second criterion; and determining the priority of a plurality of fourth zone groups to which the same priority is assigned according to the third criterion based on a fourth criterion regarding a logistics center to which the zone groups belong.

[0009] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on the first criterion may provide an item allocation method including the step of giving a high priority to a zone group in which the packing method among the plurality of zone groups is set to the third packing method and the number of types of SKUs in stock among the one or more SKUs is 2 or more.

[0010] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of second zone groups based on the second criterion may provide an item allocation method including the step of giving a higher priority to a zone group having a larger number of types of SKUs in stock among the one or more SKUs among the plurality of second zone groups.

[0011] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of third zone groups based on the third criterion may provide an item allocation method including the step of giving a higher priority to a zone group having a larger quantity of inventory of the one or more SKUs among the plurality of third zone groups.

[0012] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of fourth zone groups based on the fourth criterion may include the step of identifying a fifth zone group having a higher priority than the plurality of fourth zone groups; and the step of giving a high priority to a zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the fifth zone group among the plurality of fourth zone groups.

[0013] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods may include the step of identifying a first number of zone groups having the highest priority among the plurality of zone groups; and the step of determining the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods to minimize the number of parcels when one or more SKUs are preferentially allocated to each of the first number of zone groups.

[0014] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the set first number of zone groups includes a sixth zone group, and the step of determining the set first number of allocation methods and the set first number of packaging methods includes the step of confirming a SKU that is in stock in the sixth zone group among the one or more SKUs; and, when it is confirmed that the one or more SKUs are in stock in the sixth zone group, determining an allocation method to allocate the one or more SKUs to the sixth zone group, and determining a packaging method to pack the one or more SKUs in a packaging method set for the sixth zone group.

[0015] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more SKUs include different types of SKUs, the packaging method set for the sixth zone group includes the second packaging method, and the item allocation method further includes the steps of: checking a combined packaging threshold of a second logistics center including the sixth zone group; and, if the number of parcels when the one or more SKUs are packed in the second packaging method exceeds the combined packaging threshold, changing the packaging method to pack the one or more SKUs in the third packaging method.

[0016] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the set first number of zone groups includes a seventh zone group, and the step of determining the set first number of allocation methods and the set first number of packaging methods comprises: a step of checking a SKU among the one or more SKUs that is in stock in the seventh zone group; a step of checking at least one zone group among the plurality of zone groups that has stock of the at least one SKU when it is checked that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs is out of stock in the seventh zone group; a step of determining a priority of the at least one zone group based on information about a packing method set for the at least one zone group and stock information of the at least one zone group; a step of checking an eighth zone group having the highest priority among the at least one zone group; a step of checking a SKU among the at least one SKU that is in stock in the eighth zone group; And, if it is confirmed that there is stock of at least one SKU in the 8th zone group, determining an allocation method to allocate the at least one SKU to the 8th zone group, allocate SKUs excluding the at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs to the 7th zone group, and pack the at least one SKU in a packing method set for the 8th zone group, and determine a packing method to pack SKUs excluding the at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs in a packing method set for the 7th zone group.

[0017] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the item allocation method may further include one of the steps of determining the set first number of allocation methods as the plurality of allocation methods; and the step of determining the set second number of allocation methods having the smallest number of parcels among the set first number of allocation methods as the plurality of allocation methods.

[0018] Additionally, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of determining the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods may provide an item allocation method including the step of determining packaging materials necessary for packaging the one or more SKUs according to the plurality of packaging methods.

[0019] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information regarding the first order further includes information regarding a delivery location, and the item allocation method further includes: a step of identifying a plurality of ninth zone groups to which the one or more SKUs are to be allocated according to the plurality of allocation methods when the number of parcels when the one or more SKUs are packed according to the plurality of packing methods is the same; a step of identifying information regarding a location of a logistics center including the plurality of ninth zone groups; a step of identifying a tenth zone group in which a location of a logistics center included among the plurality of ninth zone groups is closest to the delivery location; and a step of allocating the one or more SKUs based on an allocation method corresponding to the tenth zone group.

[0020] In addition, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method for allocating items may further include: a step of checking information about costs set for the plurality of zone groups; a step of determining an expected cost when allocating and packing the one or more SKUs according to the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packing methods based on the information about costs set for the plurality of zone groups; and a step of allocating the one or more SKUs based on an allocation method having a smallest corresponding expected cost among the plurality of allocation methods.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device, comprising a transceiver, a memory, and a processor, wherein the processor obtains information about a first order including information about one or more items, identifies a plurality of zone groups having stock of one or more SKUs (stock keeping units) corresponding to the one or more items among the zone groups based on inventory information of zone groups in a plurality of fulfillment centers, determines priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on information about packing methods set for the plurality of zone groups and the inventory information of the plurality of zone groups, and determines a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs based on the priorities of the plurality of zone groups to minimize the number of parcels for packing the one or more SKUs.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing a method performed by an electronic device.

[0023] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0024] According to the proposed embodiment, one or more of the following effects can be expected.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present specification, by setting the packaging method, the time for ordering items that can correspond to the displayed SKU, or whether to pre-pack the displayed SKU differently for each zone group, and by changing the item allocation method that was performed at the logistics center level to be performed at the zone group level, the items ordered by the user can be delivered more quickly and the cost required for delivery can be reduced.

[0026] Additionally, according to the embodiment of the present specification, the problem of a user receiving too many parcels and thus having a poor user experience can be resolved by having the electronic device change the packaging method based on the combined packaging threshold set for each logistics center.

[0027] The effects of the invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate an example of a zone group according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which an electronic device allocates an item ordered by a user according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process for determining how an electronic device allocates one or more SKUs and how to package one or more SKUs according to one embodiment.

[0032] FIGS. 5A to 5E are diagrams illustrating a process for determining a method for an electronic device to allocate one or more SKUs and a method for packaging one or more SKUs according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIGS. 6A to 6F are diagrams illustrating a process for determining how an electronic device allocates one or more SKUs and how to package one or more SKUs according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an item allocation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0035] Figure 8 shows a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0036] The terms used in the embodiments have been selected from widely used and common terms, taking into account the functions of the present disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present disclosure.

[0037] When a part of a specification is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0038] The expression "at least one of a, b, and c" described throughout the specification may encompass 'a alone', 'b alone', 'c alone', 'a and b', 'a and c', 'b and c', or 'all of a, b, and c'.

[0039] The "terminal" mentioned below may be implemented as a computer or portable terminal that can connect to a server or other terminal via a network. Here, the computer includes, for example, a notebook, desktop, laptop, etc. equipped with a web browser, and the portable terminal may include, for example, a wireless communication device that guarantees portability and mobility, and may include all types of handheld-based wireless communication devices such as communication-based terminals such as IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.

[0040] Below, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0041] In this disclosure, a stock keeping unit (SKU) is a unit used to load, pick, and pack items in a distribution center. A single item may correspond to one or more SKUs. For example, the item "Cola" may correspond to a first SKU managed individually, or a second SKU managed in groups of six.

[0042] In the present disclosure, a parcel is a packaging material used to package all or part of an item ordered by a user. Depending on the type or number of items being packaged, packaging materials of various sizes and types may be used. For example, depending on the type or number of items ordered by a user, the items may be packaged using polybutylene (PB) packaging materials or box packaging materials.

[0043] In this disclosure, the number of parcels refers to the number of packaging materials a user will receive for each item ordered. The more parcels a user receives, the worse the user experience and the higher the logistics company's costs. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the number of parcels used to package an item ordered by a user.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the system may include at least one of an electronic device (100), a user terminal (110), a worker terminal (120), an administrator terminal (130), a database (140), and a network (150). Meanwhile, the system illustrated in FIG. 1 only illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1, other general-purpose components may be included.

[0047] An electronic device (100) is a device that configures and provides various types of information. The electronic device (100) may provide the configured information as a web page or application screen, or may provide the information in a form that can be displayed as a web page or application screen on a receiving terminal.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may determine a method of allocating items to zone groups and a method of packing items so as to minimize the number of parcels used to pack items ordered by a user. For example, the electronic device (100) may obtain information about a first order including information about one or more items, and, based on inventory information of zone groups in a plurality of logistics centers, identify a plurality of zone groups that have inventory of one or more SKUs corresponding to one or more items among the zone groups. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may determine priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on information about packing methods set for the plurality of zone groups and the inventory information of the plurality of zone groups, and, based on the priorities of the plurality of zone groups, determine a plurality of allocation methods for allocating one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing one or more SKUs so as to minimize the number of parcels used to pack one or more SKUs.

[0049] The user terminal (110) is a terminal used by each user, and users can access services provided by the network (150) using their respective terminals (110). For example, the electronic device (100) may provide an application to the user terminal (110) for providing information related to ordering various items, and users can order various items using the application installed on their respective terminals (110). Alternatively, users may check real-time delivery information for item orders using their respective terminals (110). In this case, the user may correspond to the customer who ordered the delivery of the item.

[0050] The worker terminal (120) is a terminal used by each worker, and each worker can perform picking or packaging tasks using their own terminal (120). For example, each worker can use their own terminal (120) to pick one or more SKUs displayed in a designated zone group. Alternatively, each worker can use their own terminal (120) to individually or collectively pack multiple SKUs using designated packaging materials.

[0051] The administrator terminal (130) is a terminal used by the administrator, and the administrator can manage item allocation tasks using an application installed on the administrator terminal (130). For example, the administrator can set a packaging method for each zone group using the user interface displayed on the administrator terminal (130). Alternatively, the administrator can add a new zone group to a designated zone group or exclude a zone group included in a designated zone group using the user interface displayed on the administrator terminal (130).

[0052] The database (140) is a data structure implemented in a predetermined storage space, and may include a relational database such as MySQL, Oracle, Mssql, a non-relational database such as Redis, MongoDB, CouchDB, an open source search engine such as Elasticsearch, and a combination thereof. For example, the database (140) may store inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers. Alternatively, the database (140) may store information regarding a packaging method set for each zone group within a plurality of logistics centers. Meanwhile, FIG. 1 illustrates that the database (140) exists outside the electronic device (100), but this is only one embodiment, and the database (140) may be included in the electronic device (100).

[0053] The user terminal (110), the worker terminal (120), the administrator terminal (130), and the database (140) and the electronic device (100) can communicate with each other within the network (150). The network (150) includes a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Value Added Network (VAN), a mobile radio communication network, a satellite communication network, and a combination thereof, and is a comprehensive data communication network that allows each network component illustrated in FIG. 1 to communicate smoothly with each other, and may include wired Internet, wireless Internet, and a mobile radio communication network. Wireless communication may include, but is not limited to, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared communication (IrDA, infrared Data Association), NFC (Near Field Communication), etc., for example.

[0054] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate an example of a zone group according to one embodiment.

[0055] According to one embodiment, a fulfillment center (FC) may include multiple zones. For example, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , a first floor of a fulfillment center (200) may include ten zones (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E), and a second floor of a fulfillment center (FC) may include ten zones (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E).

[0056] Here, a zone is a division of the logistics center into several areas to facilitate the management of various types of items loaded in the logistics center. Each zone can display a SKU corresponding to a designated type of item. While Figure 2b depicts each zone as having one display shelf, this is merely an example, and each zone may have multiple display shelves.

[0057] According to one embodiment, there may be one or more zone groups within a logistics center, each zone including one or more zones. For example, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , on the first floor of a logistics center (200), there may be a first zone group (210) including five zones (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E), a second zone group (220) including two zones (12A and 12B), and a third zone group (230) including three zones (12C, 12D, and 12E). Additionally, on the second floor of the logistics center (200), there may exist a second zone group (220) including three zones (21A, 21B, and 21C), a fourth zone group (240) including two zones (21D and 21E), a third zone group (230) including two zones (22A and 22B), a fourth zone group (240) including two zones (22C and 22D), and a fifth zone group (250) including one zone (22E).

[0058] At this time, the zone group is a virtual concept for comprehensively managing the included zones, and each zone group can have different settings for the packaging method, the entity performing the picking work, the time for ordering items that can correspond to the displayed SKU, or whether to pre-pack the displayed SKU.

[0059] For example, the packaging method of a zone included in the first zone group (210) may be set to a first packaging method that individually packages all SKUs, the packaging method of a zone included in the second zone group (220) may be set to a second packaging method that packages SKUs of the same type together, and the packaging method of a zone included in the third zone group (230) may be set to a third packaging method that packages SKUs of different types together.

[0060] For another example, in a zone included in the 4th zone group (240), an automated guided vehicle (AGV) can perform a picking operation while moving at a set speed or route, and in a zone included in the 1st zone group (210), workers can directly perform the picking operation.

[0061] For another example, the orderable period for an item corresponding to a SKU displayed in a zone included in the second zone group (220) may be set later than the orderable period for an item corresponding to a SKU displayed in a zone included in the fourth zone group (240).

[0062] For another example, SKUs displayed in zones included in the third zone group (230) may be pre-packaged and displayed before the picking operation is performed.

[0063] In this way, by setting different packaging methods for each zone group, the time for ordering items that can correspond to the displayed SKU, or whether to pre-pack the displayed SKU, and by changing the item allocation method that was performed at the logistics center level to be performed at the zone group level, items ordered by users can be delivered more quickly and the cost of delivery can be reduced.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which an electronic device (100) allocates items ordered by a user according to one embodiment. Each of the item allocation module (300), inventory management module (305), packaging method determination module (310), and warehouse management module (315) illustrated in FIG. 3 may be included in the electronic device (100) or in a server existing outside the electronic device (100).

[0065] In step S320, the item allocation module (300) may receive order information from the user terminal (110) according to one embodiment. For example, the user terminal (110) may transmit order information including information about one or more items ordered by the user and information about a delivery address to the item allocation module (300).

[0066] In step S325, the item allocation module (300) may transmit a request for inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers to the inventory management module (305) according to one embodiment. For example, the item allocation module (300) may transmit a request for inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers to the inventory management module (305) upon receiving order information from a user terminal (110).

[0067] In step S330, the item allocation module (300) may receive inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers from the inventory management module (305) according to an embodiment. For example, the inventory management module (305) may receive a request for inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers from the item allocation module (300), obtain inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers stored in the database (140), and transmit the obtained inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers to the item allocation module (300).

[0068] In step S335, the item allocation module (300) may transmit inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers to the packing method determination module (310) according to one embodiment. For example, upon receiving inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers from the inventory management module (305), the item allocation module (300) may transmit a request for a method of allocating items together with the received inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of logistics centers to the packing method determination module (310).

[0069] In step S340, the packing method determination module (310) may determine multiple allocation methods for allocating one or more SKUs and multiple packing methods for packing one or more SKUs according to an embodiment. For example, the packing method determination module (310) may identify multiple zone groups that have one or more SKUs in stock, based on inventory information of zone groups within multiple logistics centers. Thereafter, the packing method determination module (310) may determine priorities of the multiple zone groups based on information regarding packing methods set for the multiple zone groups and inventory information of the multiple zone groups, and may determine methods for allocating one or more SKUs and methods for packing one or more SKUs based on the determined priorities to minimize the number of parcels for packing one or more SKUs. In addition, the packing method determination module (310) may determine packaging materials required for packing one or more SKUs according to the packing methods.

[0070] Meanwhile, a more specific example of a packaging method determination module (310) determining multiple allocation methods for allocating one or more SKUs and multiple packaging methods for packaging one or more SKUs will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6F.

[0071] In step S345, the item allocation module (300) may receive information regarding multiple allocation methods from the packaging method determination module (310) according to one embodiment. For example, the packaging method determination module (310) may transmit information regarding multiple allocation methods for allocating one or more SKUs to the item allocation module (300).

[0072] In step S350, the item allocation module (300) may select a first allocation method among a plurality of allocation methods according to an embodiment. For example, the item allocation module (300) may select a first allocation method having the smallest number of corresponding parcels. Alternatively, the item allocation module (300) may check the priorities of the logistics centers to which the zone groups to which the SKUs are assigned belong, and select a first allocation method corresponding to the zone group belonging to the logistics center with the highest priority. Alternatively, the item allocation module (300) may determine an expected cost when allocating and packaging one or more SKUs according to a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods, and select a first allocation method having the smallest expected cost.

[0073] In step S355, the item allocation module (300) may transmit information regarding the first allocation method to the warehouse management module (315) according to one embodiment. For example, the item allocation module (300) may transmit information regarding the first allocation method with the smallest number of corresponding parcels to the warehouse management module (315).

[0074] At step S360, the warehouse management module (315) may transmit a request for a packaging method corresponding to the first allocation method to the packaging method determination module (310) according to one embodiment. For example, upon receiving information regarding the first allocation method from the item allocation module (300), the warehouse management module (315) may transmit a request for a packaging method corresponding to the first allocation method to the packaging method determination module (310).

[0075] At step S365, the packaging method determination module (310) may, according to an embodiment, identify a first packaging method corresponding to a first allocation method among a plurality of packaging methods. For example, upon receiving a request for a packaging method corresponding to the first allocation method from the warehouse management module (315), the packaging method determination module (310) may identify the first packaging method corresponding to the first allocation method and packaging materials required to package one or more SKUs according to the first packaging method.

[0076] At step S370, the warehouse management module (315) may receive information regarding the first packaging method from the packaging method determination module (310) according to one embodiment. For example, the packaging method determination module (310) may transmit information regarding the first packaging method and information regarding packaging materials required to package one or more SKUs according to the first packaging method to the warehouse management module (315).

[0077] At step S375, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least some of one or more SKUs to the first zone group according to an embodiment. For example, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least one SKU to the first zone group based on the first allocation method so that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs is picked from the first zone group, and may provide information regarding the first packaging method and information regarding packaging materials required to package the at least one SKU according to the first packaging method.

[0078] At this time, in the zones included in the first zone group, the unmanned transport vehicle can perform the picking operation while moving according to the set speed or route, and the packing method of the first zone group can be set to the second packing method that packs SKUs of the same type together. However, if it is confirmed that at least one SKU of a different type is displayed within the set radius, the warehouse management module (315) can inquire of the packing method determination module (310) as to whether the different types of SKUs located within the set radius can be packed together, and can receive confirmation information and information on packing materials for packing the different types of SKUs from the packing method determination module (310). Accordingly, the warehouse management module (315) can change the packing method to pack the different types of SKUs together.

[0079] At step S380, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least some of one or more SKUs to a second zone group according to an embodiment. For example, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least one SKU to a second zone group based on the first allocation method so that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs is picked up in the second zone group, and may provide information regarding the first packaging method and information regarding packaging materials required to package the at least one SKU according to the first packaging method.

[0080] At this time, the orderable period for items corresponding to SKUs displayed in zones included in the second zone group may be set later than the orderable period for items corresponding to SKUs displayed in zones included in other zone groups.

[0081] At step S385, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least some of the one or more SKUs to a third zone group according to an embodiment. For example, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least one SKU to a third zone group based on the third allocation method so that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs is picked from the third zone group, and may provide information regarding the first packaging method and information regarding packaging materials required to package the at least one SKU according to the first packaging method.

[0082] At this time, workers can directly perform picking work in the zones included in the third zone group, and the packaging method of the third zone group can be set to the second packaging method that packages SKUs of the same type together.

[0083] At step S390, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least some of one or more SKUs to a fourth zone group according to an embodiment. For example, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least one SKU to a fourth zone group based on the first allocation method so that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs is picked up in the fourth zone group, and may provide information regarding the first packaging method and information regarding packaging materials required to package the at least one SKU according to the first packaging method.

[0084] At this time, workers can directly perform picking operations in the zones included in the 4th zone group, and the packaging method of the 4th zone group can be set to the 3rd packaging method that combines different types of SKUs. Accordingly, the SKUs displayed in the zones included in the 4th zone group can be packed after picking operations and rebinning operations that gather the picked SKUs to a designated area are performed.

[0085] At step S395, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least some of the one or more SKUs to the fifth zone group according to an embodiment. For example, the warehouse management module (315) may assign at least one SKU to the fifth zone group based on the first allocation method so that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs is picked up in the fifth zone group, and may provide information regarding the first packaging method and information regarding packaging materials required to package the at least one SKU according to the first packaging method.

[0086] At this time, SKUs displayed in zones included in the 5th zone group can be pre-packaged and displayed before the picking operation is performed.

[0087] Meanwhile, although FIG. 3 illustrates that steps S375 to S390 are performed sequentially, this is only one embodiment, and depending on the selected first allocation method, only some of steps S375 to S390 may be performed, and some of steps S375 to S390 may be performed simultaneously.

[0088] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process for determining a method for an electronic device (100) to allocate one or more SKUs and a method for packaging one or more SKUs according to one embodiment.

[0089] At step S400, the electronic device (100) may obtain information regarding a first order, including information regarding one or more items, according to one embodiment. For example, the user terminal (110) may transmit order information, including information regarding one or more items ordered by the user and information regarding a delivery address, to the electronic device (100).

[0090] In step S405, the electronic device (100) may, according to an embodiment, identify multiple zone groups having stock of one or more SKUs corresponding to one or more items among the zone groups based on inventory information of the zone groups within the multiple logistics centers. For example, upon obtaining information regarding the first order, the electronic device (100) may identify inventory information of the zone groups within the multiple logistics centers stored in the database (140). Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may identify multiple zone groups having stock of one or more SKUs corresponding to one or more items based on inventory information of the zone groups within the multiple logistics centers.

[0091] In step S410, the electronic device (100) may determine the priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on information regarding the packaging method set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups according to one embodiment. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may determine the priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on at least one of a first criterion regarding the packaging method and the number of types of SKUs, a second criterion regarding the number of types of SKUs, a third criterion regarding the number of SKUs in inventory, and a fourth criterion regarding the logistics center to which the zone groups belong.

[0092] For example, the electronic device (100) may be set to a third packaging method that combines SKUs of different types among a plurality of zone groups based on a first criterion, and may give the highest priority to a zone group in which the number of types of SKUs in stock among one or more SKUs is 2 or more.

[0093] If there are zone groups that are assigned the same priority based on the first criterion, the electronic device (100) can assign a higher priority level to a SKU that has a greater number of types of SKUs in stock among one or more SKUs based on the second criterion.

[0094] If there are zone groups that are assigned the same priority based on the second criterion, the electronic device (100) can assign a higher priority level to a larger quantity of one or more SKUs in stock based on the third criterion.

[0095] If there are zone groups with the same priority based on the third criterion, the electronic device (100) can identify the first zone group with the highest priority based on the fourth criterion and can give a high priority to the zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the first zone group.

[0096] If zone groups with the same priority based on the fourth criterion exist, the electronic device (100) may arbitrarily assign priorities, or assign higher priority to zone groups with higher priority logistics centers. In this case, the priority of a logistics center may be determined to be higher if it is located closer to the order's delivery location, closer to the logistics center to which the highest priority zone group belongs, or if it has a shorter average shipping time.

[0097] In step S415, the electronic device (100) may identify a first number of zone groups having the highest priority among the plurality of zone groups according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device (100) may identify three zone groups having the highest priority among the plurality of zone groups, namely, the first logistics center - the first zone group, the first logistics center - the second zone group, and the second logistics center - the second zone group. However, the first number may be set to a value different from the above-described example or may be changed according to an administrator's input.

[0098] In step S420, the electronic device (100) may preferentially assign one or more SKUs to each of the first number of zone groups set according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to each of the three zone groups with the highest priority, namely, First Logistics Center - First Logistics Center - First Zone Group, First Logistics Center - Second Zone Group, and Second Logistics Center - Second Zone Group.

[0099] In step S425, the electronic device (100) may determine whether one or more SKUs are allocated, according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine whether one or more SKUs are allocated, since there is inventory of one or more SKUs in each of the first logistics center - first zone group, the first logistics center - second zone group, and the second logistics center - second zone group. If there is a zone group to which one or more SKUs are not allocated, the electronic device (100) may perform step S430 for the corresponding zone group, and if one or more SKUs are allocated, the electronic device (100) may perform step S445.

[0100] At step S430, the electronic device (100) may identify one or more zone groups having inventory of remaining SKUs, according to an embodiment. For example, if it is identified that one or more SKUs are not assigned to the first logistics center - first zone group among the first logistics center - second zone group, and the second logistics center - second zone group, the electronic device (100) may identify one or more zone groups having inventory of the unassigned SKUs among the multiple zone groups.

[0101] In step S435, the electronic device (100) may determine the priority of one or more zone groups based on information regarding a packaging method set for one or more zone groups and inventory information of one or more zone groups according to one embodiment. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may determine the priority of one or more zone groups based on a first criterion regarding the packaging method and the number of types of SKUs, a second criterion regarding the number of types of SKUs, a third criterion regarding the number of SKUs in inventory, and a fourth criterion regarding a logistics center to which the zone groups belong.

[0102] For example, the electronic device (100) may be set to a third packaging method that combines SKUs of different types in packaging methods among one or more zone groups based on the first criterion, and may give the highest priority to a zone group in which the number of types of SKUs in stock among one or more SKUs is 2 or more.

[0103] If there are zone groups that are assigned the same priority based on the first criterion, the electronic device (100) can assign a higher priority level to a SKU that has a greater number of types of SKUs in stock among one or more SKUs based on the second criterion.

[0104] If there are zone groups that are assigned the same priority based on the second criterion, the electronic device (100) can assign a higher priority level to a larger quantity of one or more SKUs in stock based on the third criterion.

[0105] If there are zone groups with the same priority based on the third criterion, the electronic device (100) can identify the first zone group with the highest priority based on the fourth criterion and can give a high priority to the zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the first zone group.

[0106] If zone groups with the same priority based on the fourth criterion exist, the electronic device (100) may arbitrarily assign priorities, or assign higher priority to zone groups with higher priority logistics centers. In this case, the priority of a logistics center may be determined to be higher if it is located closer to the order's delivery location, closer to the logistics center to which the highest priority zone group belongs, or if it has a shorter average shipping time.

[0107] At step S440, the electronic device (100) may assign the remaining SKUs to the zone group with the highest priority among one or more zone groups, according to one embodiment. For example, the electronic device (100) may assign the unassigned SKUs to the first logistics center - third zone group with the highest priority among one or more zone groups.

[0108] In this way, the electronic device (100) can repeatedly perform steps S425 to S440 until one or more SKUs are all allocated.

[0109] In step S445, the electronic device (100) may determine a first number of set allocation methods and a first number of set packaging methods. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine a first allocation method for allocating one or more SKUs to a first logistics center - a first zone and a first logistics center - a third zone group, and a first packaging method for packing one or more SKUs accordingly. In addition, the electronic device (100) may determine a second allocation method for allocating one or more SKUs to a first logistics center - a second zone group, and a second packaging method for packing one or more SKUs accordingly. The electronic device (100) may determine a third allocation method for allocating one or more SKUs to a second logistics center - a second zone group, and a third packaging method for packing one or more SKUs accordingly.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may change some of the packaging methods among the first number of configured packaging methods based on a combined packaging threshold set for the logistics center. In this case, the combined packaging threshold refers to the maximum number of parcels that can be provided to one user in a specific logistics center, and may be set to a different value for each logistics center by the administrator.

[0111] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine that the number of parcels provided from the first logistics center is 5 when one or more SKUs are packed according to the first packaging method, and that the combined packaging threshold of the first logistics center is 4. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can change the first packaging method so that different types of SKUs assigned to the first logistics center - third zone group are packed together, even though the packaging method of the first logistics center - third zone group is set to the second packaging method that combines SKUs of the same type. As a result, the number of parcels when one or more SKUs are packed according to the first packaging method can be changed to 3, which is a value smaller than the combined packaging threshold.

[0112] In this way, the electronic device (100) can change the packaging method based on the combined packaging threshold set for each logistics center, thereby resolving the problem of the user receiving too many parcels, thereby degrading the user experience.

[0113] In step S450, the electronic device (100) may determine a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods from among the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods set according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods set as the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods. Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may determine the second number of allocation methods and the second number of packaging methods set, which have the smallest number of corresponding parcels from among the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods set, as the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods.

[0114] However, according to one embodiment, the process in which the electronic device (100) performs step S450 may be omitted.

[0115] At step S455, the electronic device (100) may select a first allocation method and a first packaging method among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods, according to an embodiment. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may select a first allocation method and a first packaging method among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods based on an input from a manager, information regarding the number of parcels, information regarding the priority of a logistics center, or information regarding an expected cost.

[0116] For example, the administrator terminal (130) may obtain an administrator's input for selecting a first allocation method among multiple allocation methods, and transmit information regarding the selected first allocation method to the electronic device (100). Accordingly, the electronic device (100) may select a first packaging method corresponding to the first allocation method.

[0117] For another example, the electronic device (100) can select a first allocation method and a first packaging method according to the first allocation method and the first packaging method having the smallest number of corresponding parcels among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods.

[0118] For another example, the electronic device (100) can confirm that the number of parcels corresponding to the first allocation method and the second allocation method among the plurality of allocation methods is the smallest, i.e., 4. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can confirm information regarding the priority of the logistics center to which the zone group corresponding to the first allocation method and the second allocation method belongs. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) can confirm that the priority of the logistics center to which the zone group corresponding to the first packaging method belongs is higher, and select the first allocation method and the corresponding first packaging method. At this time, the priority of the logistics center can be determined to be higher the closer it is to the delivery location of the order, the closer it is to the logistics center to which the zone group with the highest priority belongs, or the shorter the average shipping time.

[0119] For another example, the electronic device (100) may determine the expected cost of allocating and packaging one or more SKUs according to multiple allocation methods and multiple packaging methods, and select the first allocation method with the lowest corresponding expected cost. In this case, the expected cost may be set lower when the number of workers involved in picking and packaging the items is reduced, or when the time required to pick and package the items is reduced.

[0120] At step S460, the electronic device (100) may allocate one or more SKUs based on the first allocation method according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device (100) may allocate one or more SKUs to a zone group corresponding to the first allocation method, and provide information regarding a first packaging method corresponding to the first allocation method and information regarding packaging materials required to package one or more SKUs according to the first packaging method.

[0121] FIGS. 5A to 5E are diagrams illustrating a process for determining a method for an electronic device (100) to allocate one or more SKUs and a method for packaging one or more SKUs according to one embodiment.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may obtain information regarding a first order that includes information regarding one or more items. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, the electronic device (100) may receive order information (500) from the user terminal (110) that includes information regarding ordering four bundles of six items of the first item, three bundles of twelve items of the second item, and one bundle of twenty-four items of the third item.

[0123] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify one or more SKUs corresponding to one or more items included in the order information. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, the electronic device (100) can identify a first SKU in which six first items are bundled and managed, a second SKU in which twelve second items are bundled and managed, and a third SKU in which twenty-four third items are bundled and managed.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may identify multiple zone groups having stock of one or more SKUs among the zone groups based on inventory information of the zone groups within multiple logistics centers. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, the electronic device (100) may identify multiple zone groups (520) having a first SKU, a second SKU, and a third SKU based on inventory information (510) of the zone groups within multiple logistics centers.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on information about the packaging method set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups.

[0126] For example, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , the electronic device (100) can determine, based on information (530) about the packing method set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information (510) of the plurality of zone groups, that the packing method of the first logistics center - the first zone group and the second logistics center - the first zone group are set to the third packing method, and that the number of types of SKUs in stock is 2 or more. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can give the highest priority to the first logistics center - the first zone group and the second logistics center - the first zone group. Since the first logistics center - the first zone group and the second logistics center - the first zone group have the same priority according to the first criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first SKU and the second SKU according to the second criterion. However, since the number of types of SKUs in stock in the first logistics center - first zone group and the second logistics center - first zone group is the same as 2 and thus has the same priority even when following the second criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first logistics center - first zone group (stock quantity of the first SKU: 500, stock quantity of the second SKU: 800) having a large stock of one or more SKUs as 1 according to the third criterion, and can determine the priority of the second logistics center - first zone group (stock quantity of the first SKU: 400, stock quantity of the second SKU: 600) as 2.

[0127] In addition, since the first logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - third zone group, the second logistics center - third zone group, and the third logistics center - second zone group have the same priority according to the first criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has the largest number of types of SKUs in stock (3) according to the second criterion, as 3.

[0128] In addition, since the number of types of SKUs in stock in the first logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - third zone group, and the third logistics center - second zone group is the same as 1 and thus has the same priority according to the second criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first logistics center - second zone group (stock quantity of the first SKU: 1500) having the largest stock of one or more SKUs as 4 according to the third criterion.

[0129] In addition, since the first logistics center - third zone group (stock quantity of the second SKU: 1000) and the third logistics center - second zone group (stock quantity of the third SKU: 1000) have the same stock of one or more SKUs and thus have the same priority according to the third criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first logistics center - third zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the first logistics center - first zone group, which has the highest priority according to the fourth criterion, as 5, and determine the priority of the third logistics center - second zone group as 6.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a first number of zone groups having the highest priority among a plurality of zone groups. For example, referring to FIG. 5B, the electronic device (100) can identify three zone groups having the highest priority, namely, the first logistics center - the first zone group, the second logistics center - the first zone group, and the second logistics center - the third zone group, based on information (540) regarding priorities among the plurality of zone groups.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods by preferentially assigning one or more SKUs to each of the first number of zone groups.

[0132] For example, referring to FIG. 5C, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the first logistics center - first zone group with the highest priority. Upon confirming that the first logistics center - first zone group does not have the third SKU in stock, the electronic device (100) may check the second logistics center - third zone group and the third logistics center - second zone group that have the third SKU in stock. Based on the information (530) and the inventory information (510) regarding the packaging method set for each of the second logistics center - third zone group and the third logistics center - second zone group, the electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has a larger inventory quantity of the third SKU, to be 1 according to the third criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may confirm that one or more SKUs have all been assigned by assigning the third SKU to the second logistics center - third zone group. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can determine the first allocation method (550) and the first packaging method (555) to allocate the first SKU and the second SKU to the first logistics center - the first zone group and pack them in the third packaging method, and to allocate the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group and pack them in the second packaging method.

[0133] For another example, referring to FIG. 5d, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the second logistics center - first zone group, which has the second highest priority. Upon confirming that the second logistics center - first zone group does not have the third SKU in stock, the electronic device (100) may check the second logistics center - third zone group and the third logistics center - second zone group, which have the third SKU in stock. Based on the information (530) and the inventory information (510) regarding the packaging method set for each of the second logistics center - third zone group and the third logistics center - second zone group, the electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has a larger inventory quantity of the third SKU, to be 1 according to the third criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may confirm that one or more SKUs have all been assigned by assigning the third SKU to the second logistics center - third zone group. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can determine a second allocation method (560) and a second packaging method (565) to allocate the first SKU and the second SKU to the second logistics center - the first zone group and pack them in a third packaging method, and to allocate the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group and pack them in a second packaging method.

[0134] For another example, referring to FIG. 5e, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the second logistics center - third zone group having the third highest priority. Upon confirming that the second logistics center - third zone group has stock of all of the first SKU, the second SKU, and the third SKU, the electronic device (100) may determine a third allocation method (570) and a third packing method (575) to assign the first SKU, the second SKU, and the third SKU to the second logistics center - third zone group to pack them in the second packing method.

[0135] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may determine a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods from among the first number of set allocation methods and the first number of set packaging methods. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may determine the first number of set allocation methods and the first number of set packaging methods as the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods, or may determine the second number of set allocation methods and the second number of set packaging methods, which have the smallest number of corresponding parcels from among the first number of set allocation methods and the first number of set packaging methods, as the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods.

[0136] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine that the number of parcels corresponding to the first allocation method (550) and the first packaging method (555) is 2, the number of parcels corresponding to the second allocation method (560) and the second packaging method (565) is 2, and the number of parcels corresponding to the third allocation method (570) and the third packaging method (575) is 8. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) can select the two first allocation methods (550) and the first packaging method (555) and the second allocation method (560) and the second packaging method (565) that have the smallest number of corresponding parcels.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may select one allocation method and corresponding packing method from among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packing methods. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may select one allocation method and corresponding packing method from among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packing methods based on an input from a manager, information regarding the number of parcels, information regarding the priority of a logistics center, or information regarding an expected cost.

[0138] For example, when it is confirmed that the number of parcels corresponding to the first allocation method (550) and the second allocation method (560) is equal to 2, the electronic device (100) may select the first allocation method (550) corresponding to the first logistics center - the first zone group close to the delivery location and the first packaging method (555) corresponding thereto.

[0139] For another example, when the electronic device (100) determines that the number of parcels corresponding to the first allocation method (550) and the second allocation method (560) is equal to 2, the electronic device (100) may select the first allocation method (550) and the first packaging method (555) corresponding thereto, which have the smallest corresponding expected cost.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs according to a selected allocation method. For example, the electronic device (100) may assign a first SKU and a second SKU to a first logistics center - a first zone group, and may assign a third SKU to a second logistics center - a third zone group according to a first allocation method (550).

[0141] FIGS. 6A to 6F are diagrams illustrating a process for determining a method for an electronic device (100) to allocate one or more SKUs and a method for packaging one or more SKUs according to one embodiment.

[0142] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may obtain information regarding a first order that includes information regarding one or more items. For example, referring to FIG. 6A, the electronic device (100) may receive order information (600) from the user terminal (110) that includes information regarding ordering four bundles of six items of the first item, three bundles of twelve items of the second item, one bundle of twenty-four items of the third item, and two bundles of the fourth item.

[0143] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify one or more SKUs corresponding to one or more items included in the order information. For example, referring to FIG. 6A, the electronic device (100) can identify a first SKU in which six first items are managed in a bundle, a second SKU in which twelve second items are managed in a bundle, a third SKU in which twenty-four third items are managed in a bundle, and a fourth SKU in which four items are managed individually.

[0144] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may identify multiple zone groups having stock of one or more SKUs among the zone groups based on inventory information of the zone groups within multiple logistics centers. For example, referring to FIG. 6A, the electronic device (100) may identify multiple zone groups (620) having a first SKU, a second SKU, a third SKU, and a fourth SKU based on inventory information (610) of the zone groups within multiple logistics centers.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on information about the packaging method set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups.

[0146] For example, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B , the electronic device (100) can determine, based on the information (630) regarding the packing method set for the plurality of zone groups and the inventory information (610) of the plurality of zone groups, that the packing method of the first logistics center - the first zone group and the second logistics center - the first zone group are set to the third packing method, and that the number of types of SKUs in stock is 2 or more. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can give the highest priority to the first logistics center - the first zone group and the second logistics center - the first zone group. Since the first logistics center - the first zone group and the second logistics center - the first zone group have the same priority according to the first criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first SKU and the second SKU according to the second criterion. However, since the number of types of SKUs in stock in the first logistics center - first zone group and the second logistics center - first zone group is the same as 2 and thus has the same priority even when following the second criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first logistics center - first zone group (stock quantity of the first SKU: 500, stock quantity of the second SKU: 800) having a large stock of one or more SKUs as 1 according to the third criterion, and can determine the priority of the second logistics center - first zone group (stock quantity of the first SKU: 400, stock quantity of the second SKU: 600) as 2.

[0147] In addition, since the first logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - third zone group, the first logistics center - fourth zone group, the second logistics center - second zone group, the second logistics center - third zone group, and the third logistics center - second zone group have the same priority according to the first criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has the largest number of types of SKUs in stock (3) according to the second criterion, as 3, and determine the priority of the second logistics center - second zone group, which has the second largest number of types of SKUs in stock (2), as 4.

[0148] In addition, since the number of types of SKUs in stock in the first logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - third zone group, the first logistics center - fourth zone group, and the third logistics center - second zone group is the same as 1 and thus has the same priority according to the second criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first logistics center - second zone group (stock quantity of the first SKU: 1500) having the largest stock of one or more SKUs as 5 according to the third criterion, and can determine the priority of the first logistics center - fourth zone group (stock quantity of the fourth SKU: 600) having the smallest stock of one or more SKUs as 8.

[0149] In addition, since the first logistics center - third zone group (stock quantity of the second SKU: 1000) and the third logistics center - second zone group (stock quantity of the third SKU: 1000) have the same stock of one or more SKUs and thus have the same priority according to the third criterion, the electronic device (100) can determine the priority of the first logistics center - third zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the first logistics center - first zone group, which has the highest priority according to the fourth criterion, as 6, and can determine the priority of the third logistics center - second zone group as 7.

[0150] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a first number of zone groups having the highest priority among a plurality of zone groups. For example, referring to FIG. 6B, the electronic device (100) can identify four zone groups having the highest priority, namely, the first logistics center - the first zone group, the second logistics center - the first zone group, the second logistics center - the third zone group, and the second logistics center - the second zone group, based on information (640) about priorities among the plurality of zone groups.

[0151] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods by preferentially assigning one or more SKUs to each of the first number of zone groups.

[0152] For example, referring to FIG. 6C, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the first logistics center - first zone group with the highest priority. Upon confirming that the first logistics center - first zone group does not have the third SKU and the fourth SKU in stock, the electronic device (100) may check the second logistics center - third zone group, the third logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - fourth zone group, and the second logistics center - second zone group, which have the third SKU and the fourth SKU in stock. The electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has the largest inventory quantity of the third SKU and the fourth SKU, as 1 based on the information (630) and inventory information (610) regarding the packaging method set for each of the second logistics center - third zone group, the third logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - fourth zone group, and the second logistics center - second zone group, based on the third criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may assign the third SKU to the second logistics center - third zone group, and upon confirming that the second logistics center - third zone group does not have inventory of the fourth SKU, the electronic device (100) may confirm the first logistics center - fourth zone group and the second logistics center - second zone group, which have inventory of the fourth SKU. The electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the first logistics center - zone group 4 belonging to the same logistics center as the first logistics center - zone group 1 as 1 based on the information (630) and inventory information (610) regarding the packaging method set for each of the first logistics center - zone group 4 and the second logistics center - zone group 2, according to the fourth criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may confirm that at least one SKU has been allocated by allocating the fourth SKU to the first logistics center - zone group 4.Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can determine the first allocation method (650) and the first packaging method (655) to allocate the first SKU and the second SKU to the first logistics center - the first zone group and pack them in the third packaging method, allocate the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group and pack them in the second packaging method, and allocate the fourth SKU to the first logistics center - the fourth zone group and pack them in the second packaging method.

[0153] For another example, referring to FIG. 6D , the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the second highest priority logistics center - first zone group. Upon determining that the first logistics center - first zone group does not have the third SKU and the fourth SKU in stock, the electronic device (100) may determine the second logistics center - third zone group, the third logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - fourth zone group, and the second logistics center - second zone group, which have the third SKU and the fourth SKU in stock. The electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has the largest inventory quantity of the third SKU and the fourth SKU, as 1 based on the information (630) and inventory information (610) regarding the packaging method set for each of the second logistics center - third zone group, the third logistics center - second zone group, the first logistics center - fourth zone group, and the second logistics center - second zone group, based on the third criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may assign the third SKU to the second logistics center - third zone group, and upon confirming that the second logistics center - third zone group does not have inventory of the fourth SKU, the electronic device (100) may confirm the first logistics center - fourth zone group and the second logistics center - second zone group, which have inventory of the fourth SKU. The electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - second zone group, which belongs to the same logistics center as the second logistics center - first zone group, as 1 based on the information (630) and inventory information (610) regarding the packaging method set for each of the first logistics center - fourth zone group and the second logistics center - second zone group, according to the fourth criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may confirm that at least one SKU has been allocated by assigning the fourth SKU to the second logistics center - second zone group.Accordingly, the electronic device (100) may determine a second allocation method (660) and a second packaging method (665) to allocate the first SKU and the second SKU to the second logistics center - the first zone group and pack them in a third packaging method, allocate the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group and pack them in a second packaging method, and allocate the fourth SKU to the second logistics center - the second zone group and pack them in a second packaging method.

[0154] For another example, referring to FIG. 6E, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the second logistics center - third zone group, which has the third highest priority. Upon confirming that the second logistics center - third zone group does not have the fourth SKU in stock, the electronic device (100) may check the first logistics center - fourth zone group and the second logistics center - second zone group, which have the fourth SKU in stock. Based on the information (630) and the inventory information (610) regarding the packaging method set for each of the first logistics center - fourth zone group and the second logistics center - second zone group, the electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - second zone group, which belongs to the same logistics center as the second logistics center - third zone group, to be 1 according to the fourth criterion. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may confirm that one or more SKUs have all been assigned by assigning the fourth SKU to the second logistics center - second zone group. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) may determine the third allocation method (670) and the third packaging method (675) to allocate the first SKU, the second SKU, and the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group and pack them in the second packaging method, and to allocate the fourth SKU to the second logistics center - the second zone group and pack them in the second packaging method. However, the electronic device (100) may determine that when one or more SKUs are packed according to the third packaging method (675), the number of parcels provided from the second logistics center is 10, which is greater than the combined packaging threshold of the second logistics center, which is 5. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) may change the third packaging method (675) to pack the first SKU, the second SKU, and the third SKU assigned to the second logistics center - the third zone group in the third packaging method. As a result, the number of parcels provided from the second logistics center may be changed to 3, which is less than the combined packaging threshold of the second logistics center.

[0155] For another example, referring to FIG. 6F, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs to the second logistics center - second zone group having the fourth highest priority. Upon determining that the second logistics center - second zone group does not have the second SKU and the third SKU in stock, the electronic device (100) may determine the first logistics center - first zone group, the first logistics center - third zone group, the second logistics center - first zone group, the second logistics center - third zone group, and the third logistics center - second zone group, which have the second SKU and the third SKU in stock. The electronic device (100) may determine the priority of the second logistics center - third zone group, which has the largest number of types in stock according to the second criterion, as 1, based on the information (630) and inventory information (610) regarding the packaging method set for each of the first logistics center - first zone group, the first logistics center - third zone group, the second logistics center - first zone group, the second logistics center - third zone group, and the third logistics center - second zone group. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) may confirm that at least one SKU has been allocated by allocating the second SKU and the third SKU to the second logistics center - third zone group. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) may determine the fourth allocation method (680) and the fourth packaging method (685) to allocate the first SKU and the fourth SKU to the second logistics center - the second zone group and pack them in the second packaging method, and to allocate the second SKU and the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group and pack them in the second packaging method. However, the electronic device (100) may confirm that when one or more SKUs are packed according to the fourth packaging method (685), the number of parcels provided from the second logistics center is 10, which is greater than the combined packaging threshold of the second logistics center, which is 5.Accordingly, the electronic device (100) may change the third packaging method (675) to pack the first SKU and the fourth SKU assigned to the second logistics center - the second zone group in the third packaging method, and to pack the second SKU and the third SKU assigned to the second logistics center - the third zone group in the third packaging method. As a result, the number of parcels provided from the second logistics center may be changed to 2, which is less than the combined packaging threshold of the second logistics center.

[0156] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may determine a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods from among the first number of set allocation methods and the first number of set packaging methods. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may determine the first number of set allocation methods and the first number of set packaging methods as the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods, or may determine the second number of set allocation methods and the second number of set packaging methods, which have the smallest number of corresponding parcels from among the first number of set allocation methods and the first number of set packaging methods, as the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods.

[0157] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine that the number of parcels corresponding to the first allocation method (650) and the first packaging method (655) is 4, the number of parcels corresponding to the second allocation method (660) and the second packaging method (665) is 4, the number of parcels corresponding to the third allocation method (670) and the third packaging method (675) is 3, and the number of parcels corresponding to the fourth allocation method (680) and the fourth packaging method (685) is 4. Thereafter, the electronic device (100) can select the two third allocation methods (670) and the third packaging method (675) and the fourth allocation method (680) and the fourth packaging method (685) having the smallest number of corresponding parcels.

[0158] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may select one allocation method and corresponding packing method from among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packing methods. More specifically, the electronic device (100) may select one allocation method and corresponding packing method from among a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packing methods based on an input from a manager, information regarding the number of parcels, information regarding the priority of a logistics center, or information regarding an expected cost.

[0159] For example, the electronic device (100) may select the fourth allocation method (680) and the fourth packing method (685) that have the smallest number of corresponding parcels.

[0160] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may assign one or more SKUs according to a selected allocation method. For example, the electronic device (100) may assign the first SKU and the fourth SKU to the second logistics center - the second zone group, and may assign the second SKU and the third SKU to the second logistics center - the third zone group according to the fourth allocation method (680).

[0161] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of an item allocation method for an electronic device according to one embodiment. The above description may apply to overlapping content.

[0162] At step S700, the electronic device can obtain information about a first order that includes information about one or more items.

[0163] At step S720, the electronic device can identify multiple zone groups having inventory of one or more SKUs (stock keeping units) corresponding to one or more items among the zone groups based on inventory information of the zone groups within the multiple fulfillment centers.

[0164] According to one embodiment, a first logistics center among a plurality of logistics centers includes one or more zone groups, and a packing method set for the first zone group among the one or more zone groups includes one of a first packing method for individually packing SKUs, a second packing method for packing SKUs of the same type together, and a third packing method for packing SKUs of different types together, and SKUs loaded in one or more zones included in the first zone group can be packed using the packing method set for the first zone group.

[0165] At step S740, the electronic device can determine the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on information about the packaging method set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups.

[0166] According to one embodiment, when determining priorities of a plurality of zone groups, the electronic device may determine priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on a first criterion regarding the number of types of packaging methods and SKUs, and may determine priorities of a plurality of second zone groups to which the same priority is assigned according to the first criterion based on a second criterion regarding the number of types of SKUs. Thereafter, the electronic device may determine priorities of a plurality of third zone groups to which the same priority is assigned according to the second criterion based on a third criterion regarding the number of SKUs in stock, and may determine priorities of a plurality of fourth zone groups to which the same priority is assigned according to the third criterion based on a fourth criterion regarding a logistics center to which the zone groups belong.

[0167] According to one embodiment, when determining priorities of a plurality of zone groups based on a first criterion, the electronic device may give a high priority to a zone group in which a packing method among the plurality of zone groups is set to a third packing method and the number of types of SKUs in stock among one or more SKUs is 2 or more.

[0168] According to one embodiment, when determining priorities of a plurality of zone groups based on a second criterion, the electronic device may give a higher priority to a zone group having a greater number of types of SKUs in stock among one or more SKUs among the plurality of second zone groups.

[0169] According to one embodiment, when determining priorities of a plurality of zone groups based on a third criterion, the electronic device may give a higher priority to a zone group having a larger quantity of stock of one or more SKUs among the plurality of third zone groups.

[0170] According to one embodiment, when determining priorities of a plurality of zone groups based on a fourth criterion, the electronic device may identify a fifth zone group having a higher priority than the plurality of fourth zone groups, and may give a higher priority to a zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the fifth zone group among the plurality of fourth zone groups.

[0171] At step S760, the electronic device can determine a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs to minimize the number of parcels packing the one or more SKUs based on priorities of the plurality of zone groups.

[0172] According to one embodiment, when determining a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packing methods, the electronic device may determine a first set number of zone groups having a highest priority among the plurality of zone groups, and may determine a first set number of allocation methods and a first set number of packing methods to minimize the number of parcels when preferentially allocating one or more SKUs to each of the first set number of zone groups.

[0173] According to one embodiment, the set first number of zone groups includes a sixth zone group, and when determining the set first number of allocation methods and the set first number of packing methods, the electronic device may determine a SKU that is in stock in the sixth zone group among one or more SKUs, and, if it is determined that one or more SKUs are in stock in the sixth zone group, determine an allocation method to allocate one or more SKUs to the sixth zone group, and determine a packing method to pack one or more SKUs in a packing method set for the sixth zone group.

[0174] According to one embodiment, one or more SKUs include different types of SKUs, the packing method set for the sixth zone group includes a second packing method, and the electronic device checks the combined packing threshold of the second logistics center including the sixth zone group, and if the number of parcels when one or more SKUs are packed in the second packing method exceeds the combined packing threshold, the packing method can be changed to pack one or more SKUs in the third packing method.

[0175] According to one embodiment, the set first number of zone groups includes a seventh zone group, and when determining the set first number of allocation methods and the set first number of packing methods, the electronic device may check a SKU that is in stock in the seventh zone group among one or more SKUs, and when it is determined that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs in the seventh zone group is out of stock, check at least one zone group that has at least one SKU in stock among the plurality of zone groups, and determine a priority of at least one zone group based on information about a packing method set for the at least one zone group and stock information of the at least one zone group. Thereafter, the electronic device may determine an 8th zone group having the highest priority among at least one zone group, determine a SKU that is in stock in the 8th zone group among at least one SKU, and, if it is determined that at least one SKU is in stock in the 8th zone group, determine an allocation method to assign at least one SKU to the 8th zone group, assign SKUs excluding at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs to the 7th zone group, pack at least one SKU in a packing method set for the 8th zone group, and determine a packing method to pack SKUs excluding at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs in a packing method set for the 7th zone group.

[0176] According to one embodiment, the electronic device may determine a first number of set allocation methods as a plurality of allocation methods, and may determine a second number of set allocation methods having the smallest number of parcels among the first number of set allocation methods as a plurality of allocation methods.

[0177] According to one embodiment, when determining a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods, the electronic device can determine packaging materials required to package one or more SKUs according to the plurality of packaging methods.

[0178] According to one embodiment, information regarding a first order further includes information regarding a delivery address, and when the number of parcels when packing one or more SKUs according to a plurality of packing methods is the same, the electronic device can identify a plurality of ninth zone groups to which one or more SKUs are assigned according to a plurality of allocation methods, and can identify information regarding the locations of logistics centers including the plurality of ninth zone groups. Thereafter, the electronic device can identify a tenth zone group, the location of which of the logistics centers included in the plurality of ninth zone groups is closest to the delivery address, and can assign one or more SKUs based on the allocation method corresponding to the tenth zone group.

[0179] According to one embodiment, the electronic device may check information about costs set for a plurality of zone groups, determine an expected cost when allocating and packing one or more SKUs according to a plurality of allocation methods and a plurality of packaging methods based on the information about costs set for the plurality of zone groups, and allocate one or more SKUs based on an allocation method having a smallest corresponding expected cost among the plurality of allocation methods.

[0180] Figure 8 shows a block diagram of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment.

[0181] According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include a transceiver (820), a memory (840), and a processor (860). The electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 8 only includes components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the electronic device (100) may further include general-purpose components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 8. In the embodiment, the transceiver (820) may be included in a communication device. Additionally, in the embodiment, the processor (860) may be included in a controller.

[0182] The transceiver (820) is a device for performing wired / wireless communication and can communicate with an external electronic device. The external electronic device may be a terminal or a server. In addition, the communication technologies used by the transceiver (820) may include GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA (Code Division Multi Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 5G, WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Bluetooth (Bluetooth), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc.

[0183] The processor (860) can control the overall operation of the electronic device (100) and process data and signals. The processor (860) can be composed of at least one hardware unit. In addition, the processor (860) can operate by one or more software modules generated by executing program codes stored in the memory (840). The processor (860) can include a memory, and the processor (860) can control the overall operation of the electronic device (100) and process data and signals by executing program codes stored in the memory.

[0184] The processor (860) may obtain information about a first order including information about one or more items, and, based on inventory information of zone groups in a plurality of fulfillment centers, identify a plurality of zone groups having inventory of one or more SKUs (stock keeping units) corresponding to one or more items among the zone groups, determine priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on information about packing methods set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups, and, based on the priorities of the plurality of zone groups, determine a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs to minimize the number of parcels for packing the one or more SKUs.

[0185] The electronic device according to the above-described embodiments may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, a user interface device such as a touch panel, a key, a button, etc. The methods implemented as software modules or algorithms may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium as computer-readable codes or program instructions executable on the processor. Here, the computer-readable recording medium includes a magnetic storage medium (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) and an optical reading medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD: Digital Versatile Disc)). The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed to computer systems connected to a network, so that the computer-readable code may be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium may be readable by a computer, stored in a memory, and executed by a processor.

[0186] The present embodiment may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. These functional blocks may be implemented by various hardware and / or software configurations that perform specific functions. For example, the embodiment may employ integrated circuit configurations such as memory, processing, logic, look-up tables, etc., which may perform various functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the present embodiment may be implemented in a programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, etc., including various algorithms implemented as a combination of data structures, processes, routines, or other programming configurations. Functional aspects may be implemented as algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the present embodiment may employ conventional techniques for electronic configuration, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms such as "mechanism," "element," "means," and "composition" can be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physical structures. These terms can also encompass a series of software routines, such as those associated with a processor.

[0187] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may be implemented within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. In the method of allocating items of an electronic device, A step of obtaining information about a first order including information about one or more items; A step of identifying a plurality of zone groups having stock of one or more SKUs (stock keeping units) corresponding to one or more items among the zone groups based on inventory information of zone groups within a plurality of fulfillment centers; A step of determining the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on information about the packaging method set for the plurality of zone groups and inventory information of the plurality of zone groups; and An item allocation method comprising the step of determining a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs, based on priorities of the plurality of zone groups, to minimize the number of parcels for packing the one or more SKUs.

2. In paragraph 1, Among the above multiple logistics centers, the first logistics center includes one or more zone groups, The packaging method set for the first zone group among the one or more zone groups includes one of a first packaging method for individually packaging SKUs, a second packaging method for combining SKUs of the same type, and a third packaging method for combining SKUs of different types. An item allocation method, wherein SKUs displayed in one or more zones included in the first zone group are packaged in a packaging method set for the first zone group.

3. In the second paragraph, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of zone groups is: A step of determining priorities of the plurality of zone groups based on a first criterion regarding the number of types of packaging methods and SKUs; A step of determining priorities of a plurality of second zone groups that are given the same priority according to the first criterion, based on a second criterion regarding the number of types of SKUs; A step of determining the priority of a plurality of third zone groups that are given the same priority according to the second criterion, based on a third criterion regarding the number of SKUs in stock; and An item allocation method, comprising a step of determining priorities of a plurality of fourth zone groups that are assigned the same priority according to the third criterion, based on a fourth criterion regarding a logistics center to which the zone group belongs.

4. In the third paragraph, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of zone groups based on the first criterion comprises: An item allocation method comprising a step of giving high priority to a zone group in which the packing method among the plurality of zone groups is set to the third packing method and the number of types of SKUs in stock among the one or more SKUs is 2 or more.

5. In the third paragraph, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of second zone groups based on the second criterion is: An item allocation method comprising a step of giving a higher priority to a zone group having a larger number of types of SKUs in stock among the one or more SKUs among the plurality of second zone groups.

6. In the third paragraph, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of third zone groups based on the third criterion is: An item allocation method comprising a step of giving a higher priority to a zone group having a larger quantity of inventory of one or more SKUs among the plurality of third zone groups.

7. In the third paragraph, the step of determining the priority of the plurality of fourth zone groups based on the fourth criterion is: A step of identifying a fifth zone group having a higher priority than the plurality of fourth zone groups; and An item allocation method comprising a step of giving a high priority to a zone group belonging to the same logistics center as the fifth zone group among the plurality of fourth zone groups.

8. In the second paragraph, the step of determining the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods is: A step of checking a first number of zone groups having the highest priority among the plurality of zone groups; and An item allocation method comprising a step of determining the first number of allocation methods and the first number of packaging methods to minimize the number of parcels when preferentially allocating one or more SKUs to each of the first number of zone groups.

9. In paragraph 8, The first number of zone groups set above includes the sixth zone group, The step of determining the first number of allocation methods set above and the first number of packaging methods set above is: a step of checking which SKU among the one or more SKUs is in stock in the sixth zone group; and An item allocation method comprising the steps of determining an allocation method to allocate the one or more SKUs to the sixth zone group when it is confirmed that the sixth zone group has stock of the one or more SKUs, and determining a packing method to pack the one or more SKUs in a packing method set for the sixth zone group.

10. In paragraph 9, The above one or more SKUs include different types of SKUs, The packaging method set for the above 6th zone group includes the above 2nd packaging method, The above item allocation method is: A step of checking the combined packaging threshold of the second logistics center including the above 6th zone group; and An item allocation method further comprising the step of changing the packaging method to package the one or more SKUs in the third packaging method when the number of parcels when the one or more SKUs are packaged in the second packaging method exceeds the combined packaging threshold.

11. In paragraph 8, The first number of zone groups set above includes the seventh zone group, The step of determining the first number of allocation methods set above and the first number of packaging methods set above is: A step of checking which SKU among the one or more SKUs is in stock in the seventh zone group; When it is confirmed that at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs in the seventh zone group is out of stock, a step of checking at least one zone group among the plurality of zone groups that has the at least one SKU in stock; A step of determining a priority of at least one zone group based on information about a packaging method set for at least one zone group and inventory information of the at least one zone group; A step of identifying an 8th zone group having the highest priority among at least one zone group; a step of checking which SKU among the above at least one SKU is in stock in the 8th zone group; and An item allocation method comprising the steps of: determining an allocation method to allocate the at least one SKU to the eighth zone group when it is confirmed that the at least one SKU is in stock in the eighth zone group; allocating SKUs excluding the at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs to the seventh zone group; packaging the at least one SKU in a packaging method set for the eighth zone group; and packaging the SKUs excluding the at least one SKU among the one or more SKUs in a packaging method set for the seventh zone group.

12. In the 8th paragraph, the item allocation method is: A step of determining the first number of allocation methods set above as the plurality of allocation methods; and An item allocation method further comprising one of the steps of determining a second number of allocation methods having the smallest number of parcels among the first number of allocation methods as the plurality of allocation methods.

13. In the first paragraph, the step of determining the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods is: An item allocation method comprising the step of determining packaging materials required to package one or more SKUs according to the plurality of packaging methods.

14. In paragraph 1, The information regarding the above first order further includes information regarding the delivery address, The above item allocation method is: When the number of parcels when packaging one or more SKUs according to the above multiple packaging methods is the same, a step of confirming a plurality of ninth zone groups to which the one or more SKUs are to be allocated according to the above multiple allocation methods; A step of confirming information about the location of a logistics center including the plurality of 9th zone groups; A step of confirming the 10th zone group, which is the closest to the delivery location, of the logistics center included in the plurality of 9th zone groups; and An item allocation method further comprising the step of allocating the one or more SKUs based on an allocation method corresponding to the 10th zone group.

15. In the first paragraph, the item allocation method is: A step of checking information about costs set for the above multiple zone groups; A step of determining an expected cost when allocating and packaging the one or more SKUs according to the plurality of allocation methods and the plurality of packaging methods based on information about costs set for the plurality of zone groups; and An item allocation method further comprising a step of allocating the one or more SKUs based on an allocation method having the smallest corresponding expected cost among the plurality of allocation methods.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of paragraph 1 on a computer.

17. As an electronic device, transceiver; memory; and A processor is included, wherein the processor comprises: Obtain information about a first order that includes information about one or more items; Based on the inventory information of zone groups within multiple fulfillment centers, multiple zone groups that have inventory of one or more SKUs (stock keeping units) corresponding to one or more items among the zone groups are identified, Based on the information about the packaging method set for the plurality of zone groups and the inventory information of the plurality of zone groups, the priority of the plurality of zone groups is determined, An electronic device that determines a plurality of allocation methods for allocating the one or more SKUs and a plurality of packing methods for packing the one or more SKUs, based on priorities of the plurality of zone groups, to minimize the number of parcels for packing the one or more SKUs.

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