Rules Based Shipping Engine for High Volume Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-based systems for generating and printing postage indicia are not well-suited for high-volume shipping, as they incur delays due to server calls and lack a rules-based operation to efficiently handle various decision points for processing different items.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a rules-based engine that allows users to create, revise, and prioritize rules using conditions, operators, and outcomes to automate shipping processing decisions, facilitating efficient handling of multiple items through a graphical user interface and hierarchical rule implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a client server architecture with server calls is used to generate and print postage indicia, then the system is easy to implement and maintain, but processing time increases significantly for high volume shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores shipping rates, zones, and service options in a local database before processing transactions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time server calls during high-volume processing, significantly reducing latency while maintaining ease of operation through pre-configured data
2Ease of operation
If simple preference settings are used for shipping decisions, then the system is easy to operate, but it cannot adequately handle various decision points for different items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shipping decision-making process into distinct rules that can be independently configured and executed. Each rule handles specific decision points (weight thresholds, service types, destination zones), allowing the system to maintain simplicity through modular rules while achieving versatility in handling diverse shipping scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of rule parameters such as weight thresholds, service level priorities, and cost limits. This enables the same rule structure to adapt to different shipping needs by changing parameters rather than requiring complex reconfiguration, maintaining ease of operation while improving handling capability
3Reliability
If multiple server calls are made for each shipping transaction to gather item information and make decisions, then accurate shipping decisions can be made, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data gathering by pre-loading shipping rates, zone information, and service options into a local database. This eliminates the need for multiple server calls during transaction processing, maintaining accurate decision-making through access to pre-fetched data while dramatically improving processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a local database as an intermediary between the client application and the remote server. This intermediary stores cached shipping data locally, allowing the system to make accurate shipping decisions using pre-loaded information without requiring real-time server communication for each transaction, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods which implement a rules based engine for processing items for shipping are shown. Embodiments implement a series of rules that are executed in a particular order to address decision points in processing individual items of a plurality of items for shipping. A user interface adapted to allow a user to create rules, weigh or order the rules, revise rules, enable/disable rules, etc. is provided according to embodiments. By selecting and associating various rule parameters, such as conditions, operators, and/or outcomes, through the rules interface a user may create and revise rules as desired. The rules interface of embodiments provides a hierarchical rules environment in which the resulting rules are weighted or ordered for hierarchical implementation.