Shipping Notification System Using Dynamic Delivery Time Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shipping notification systems provide imprecise delivery date predictions, failing to include likely delivery times, which can be inconvenient for recipients who need to be present at the delivery address, especially for items difficult to transport.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that interface with shipper computer systems to determine shipment status, calculate precise estimated delivery times using historical delivery data, and notify customers via electronic messages of impending arrivals, allowing them to plan accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If shippers provide tracking numbers and status information through websites or IVR systems, then customers can obtain delivery information, but the status information is imprecise and does not include likely delivery times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively contacting customers before delivery occurs to obtain their preferred delivery time windows and contact preferences. This advance preparation enables the automated system to send timely notifications with precise delivery time estimates, eliminating the need for customers to wait at the delivery address for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops by automatically contacting customers near the estimated delivery date to obtain their availability information, then using this feedback to refine and send personalized delivery time notifications. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures delivery information precision while minimizing customer waiting time through targeted communications.
2Reliability
If customers remain at the delivery address for the entire day or multiple days to ensure receipt of shipment, then they can receive the delivery, but this creates extreme inconvenience for people who work or have other obligations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically contacting customers and obtaining their delivery preferences without requiring customer service representative intervention. The automated notification system then proactively informs customers of delivery time windows, allowing them to receive deliveries at their convenience without needing to spend the entire day at the delivery address, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By proactively contacting customers in advance near the estimated delivery date and obtaining their availability information, the system allows customers to plan their schedules accordingly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for customers to remain at the delivery address for extended periods while ensuring reliable delivery receipt during their available time windows.
3Reliability
If shippers provide only conservative delivery date predictions, then customers can plan ahead, but the predictions are overly-conservative and incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to contact customers near the estimated delivery date and obtain their availability information. This feedback loop allows the system to refine delivery time predictions and send accurate, personalized notifications with specific time windows, improving both delivery date accuracy and delivery time precision while eliminating overly-conservative estimates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts delivery information based on real-time data and customer responses. Rather than providing static, overly-conservative predictions, the system continuously updates delivery time estimates and sends personalized notifications with accurate time windows based on current shipment status and customer availability, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing information precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A broker facilitates customer purchases from merchants. Shippers ship shipments containing the purchases from merchants to the customers. A shipper identifies a shipment using a shipment identifier. The broker uses the shipment identifier to obtain the status information for the shipment from the shipper. The broker analyzes the status information in combination with other information to calculate an estimate of the time that the shipment will arrive at the customer's address. The broker sends an electronic message, such as an email or text message, to the customer prior to the estimated shipment arrival time to inform the customer of the impending arrival. The customer can thus arrange for someone to be at the shipping address to receive the shipment at the estimated arrival time.