Dynamic Shipping Location Selection for Timely Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain management systems often fail to meet customer-requested delivery dates and times, particularly when orders are received outside the operating hours of the preferred shipping location, leading to delayed deliveries.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that examines alternative shipping locations beyond the facing location to determine a more timely delivery schedule, utilizing a scheduler, available-to-promise module, and business rules to adjust schedules and confirm shipping locations capable of processing orders on the same day, ensuring delivery meets the requested date and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the system uses a facing location for shipping, then shipping cost is minimized, but delivery timeliness deteriorates when orders are received outside operating hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the selection criteria for shipping locations based on the order receipt time. When an order is received outside facing location operating hours, the system switches from selecting based on cost minimization to selecting based on delivery timeliness, thereby resolving the contradiction between cost and time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic scheduling that adjusts shipping location selection in real-time based on operating hours and order timing. The available-to-promise module dynamically determines whether to use the facing location or an alternative location, making the system adaptable to different time conditions
2Productivity
If the system prioritizes cost minimization by selecting facing locations, then shipping efficiency is improved, but ability to meet customer delivery deadlines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from order timing and customer delivery requirements to adjust shipping location selection. The available-to-promise module receives feedback about order receipt time and customer deadlines, then determines the appropriate shipping location to balance efficiency and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the shipping location selection process into different pathways: one for within-hours orders (prioritizing cost) and another for outside-hours orders (prioritizing timeliness). This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different criteria under different conditions
3Ease of operation
If the system schedules orders for next-day processing at the facing location, then operational constraints are satisfied, but customer satisfaction deteriorates due to extended delivery time
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary alternative shipping location that can process orders outside normal facing location hours. This intermediary location acts as a mediator that maintains operational feasibility while improving delivery speed for after-hours orders
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include a system and process that manages scheduling and processing of orders to provide improved delivery schedules. The system attempts to schedule package deliveries in time to meet a requested delivery target time and date. This scheduling attempts to schedule a shipping time for the current day to meet next day or nearer term deadlines. The scheduling system examines schedules and shipping locations that are not optimal for minimizing costs, but provide more timely delivery including examining locations other that a facing location for shipment.