Delivery Wave Consolidation for Automated Split Order Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computerized order processing systems are inefficient in determining when multiple deliveries to the same recipient can be consolidated into a single wave to reduce costs, as they fail to effectively merge deliveries across multiple waves when only one delivery is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for delivery wave scheduling that analyzes electronic order information across multiple subsystems to identify opportunities for consolidating split deliveries into a single delivery wave, automatically rescheduling them to optimize delivery routes and reduce redundant deliveries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple delivery vehicles are used to service a single customer location, then delivery capacity and customer service flexibility are improved, but the number of stops per vehicle decreases and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple split deliveries destined for the same customer location into a single consolidated delivery by combining packages from different vehicles. The automated merging system identifies packages with matching customer identifiers and consolidates them at intermediate stops, reducing the number of stops per vehicle while maintaining delivery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated merging system acting as an intermediary between multiple delivery vehicles and the final customer location. This intermediary system coordinates the consolidation of packages at intermediate stops, managing the complexity of multi-vehicle operations without requiring direct human coordination between drivers.
2Productivity
If manual identification and merging of split deliveries is performed, then delivery consolidation is achieved, but labor costs and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated merging system performs self-service by automatically identifying packages destined for the same customer location using customer identifiers on packages. The system autonomously determines which packages to consolidate and routes them accordingly, eliminating the need for manual identification and reducing processing time while maintaining consolidation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification processes with an automated electronic system that uses customer identifiers to recognize and consolidate packages. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with an automated computing system reduces both labor costs and processing time while improving consolidation accuracy.
3Loss of energy
If packages are consolidated at intermediate stops, then the number of stops per vehicle increases and routing complexity increases, but fuel efficiency and delivery consolidation improve
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and routing decisions for package consolidation before vehicles reach intermediate stops. By pre-determining which packages should be consolidated and routing them accordingly, the system reduces on-the-ground routing complexity while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits from consolidated deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated merging system uses feedback from package identifiers and real-time vehicle location data to dynamically adjust routing decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize consolidation opportunities while managing routing complexity, ensuring that intermediate stops are utilized efficiently for fuel savings without excessive routing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed embodiments are generally directed to computerized system for delivery wave scheduling. The methods may comprise at least: receiving, from a remote system, order information comprising a plurality of products and associated identifiers; determining fulfillment centers and delivery waves, from a plurality of delivery waves, for each product in the plurality of products, based on the associated identifier and the remote system; storing the determined delivery waves in association with the products in a database; determining that at least one delivery wave is associated with an earlier time period than a later delivery wave, and responsive thereto: modifying the database so that the products originally associated with the earlier delivery waves are associated with the later delivery wave; and forwarding computer instructions to at least one mobile device to generate a graphical user interface displaying the products and information associated with the second delivery wave.