Intelligent Node Inclusion for Order Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that analyze node availability for consolidating online orders are limited by performance degradation at higher node numbers, leading to missed opportunities for improved shipment efficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intelligent node inclusion (INI) service that uses an Available to Promise (ATP) service to analyze a predetermined number of closest store and online nodes, and introduces a middle layer to determine common shipping locations, allowing for the identification of a minimum number of 'best' nodes, including those outside the closest geographic nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a predetermined number of closest store nodes and online nodes are analyzed to determine consolidation, then system performance is maintained, but opportunities for improved shipment efficiencies are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precomputes and maintains individual item availability at each node in a forward cache within the ATP service. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly determine collective availability for multiple items without recalculating from scratch, enabling analysis of more nodes while maintaining system performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intelligent node inclusion (INI) service as a middle layer between the checkout process and the ATP service. This intermediary determines a predetermined number of common shipping locations by analyzing item availability across nodes, enabling the system to consider more nodes for consolidation while managing computational complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If more nodes are analyzed for consolidation, then shipment efficiency improves, but system performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
Individual item availability at each node is precomputed and maintained in a forward cache within ATP before consolidation analysis is performed. This eliminates the need to recalculate availability for each item during the consolidation process, significantly reducing computational overhead and enabling analysis of more nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The system analyzes a predetermined number of closest store nodes and online nodes, which is sufficient to identify consolidation opportunities while avoiding the performance degradation that would occur if all possible nodes were analyzed. This partial action approach balances thoroughness with system performance
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for improved consolidation of orders at a particular node for each item in a guest shopping cart, including an intelligent node inclusion application/service. In some examples, a predetermined number of the closest store nodes and a predetermined number of online nodes are analyzed using an Available to Promise (ATP) service to determine whether multiple items in a cart could be shipped together (consolidated) to reduce shipping expense. Additionally, data corresponding to all items in the cart will be passed so the intelligent node inclusion (INI) service can determine a predetermined number of common shipping locations. A minimum number of “best” nodes from among all nodes may be identified, which may include nodes outside the closest nodes geographically. A downstream promise fulfillment application can then determine whether the cost of local or further fulfillment (with consolidation) is worthwhile.