Postcode Delivery Date Calculation Using Precomputed Routing Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient calculation of delivery dates for items using postcode databases, particularly in the context of the USPS, to meet customer expectations in an increasingly competitive environment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a postcode database to calculate delivery dates by processing origin and destination data, considering cut-off acceptance times, routing, flight schedules, observed holidays, and time zones, to determine the estimated delivery date, which involves multiple steps and components like a processing unit and memory storage, and can be implemented in various technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If delivery date calculation considers multiple factors (cut-off times, routing, flight schedules, holidays, time zones), then delivery date accuracy is improved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery date calculation is divided into multiple sequential steps: determining cut-off acceptance time, calculating start date and time, determining first estimated date and time at outbound delivery office, determining second estimated date and time at inbound delivery office, and calculating final delivery date. Each step handles a specific aspect of the calculation, making the complex process more manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining cut-off acceptance times for destination postcodes and pre-calculating routing information before the actual delivery date calculation. This allows the main calculation to proceed more efficiently by using pre-prepared data rather than computing everything in real-time.
2Measurement precision
If delivery date calculation uses detailed postcode database information, then delivery date accuracy is improved, but data processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes and stores cut-off acceptance times for different destination postcodes in advance. When a delivery date calculation is needed, the system retrieves pre-calculated information rather than computing it from scratch, significantly reducing calculation time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a postcode database that stores pre-captured routing information, flight schedules, and cut-off times for various locations. This database acts as a copy of essential delivery information that can be quickly referenced without accessing the full detailed data sources each time a calculation is performed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for calculating a delivery date. The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving, at a delivery processor, origin data corresponding to an origin delivery office that receives an item to be sent, the origin data comprising origin location information, a scan date reflecting a date the item is scanned at the origin delivery office, and a scan time reflecting a time the item is scanned at the origin delivery office. The delivery processor determines whether the scan time is before a cut-off acceptance time for scanning items at the origin delivery office and sets a start date and time based on the scan time determination. The delivery processor also determines a first estimated date and time that the item will be scanned at an outbound delivery office, and determines a second estimated date and time that the item will be scanned at an inbound delivery office. Thereafter, the delivery processor calculates the estimated delivery date based on the start date and time, the first estimated date and time, and the second estimated date and time, and provides the estimated delivery date to a source data processor.