Unified Load Tracking Platform for Retail Supply Chain Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain management systems require multiple software tools and user interfaces, making it difficult to track freight shipments accurately and efficiently, especially when dealing with multiple carriers and varying software systems, which leads to challenges in determining load status and predicting carrier prices.
Innovation Solution
A unified load tracking computing platform that aggregates information from multiple supply chain management systems using a unique identifier, providing a single user interface for tracking and a load board for carriers to bid on loads, automating the auction process and load tendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supply chain management systems are used to track different operations (transportation, inventory, warehouse), then comprehensive tracking capability is achieved, but system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple supply chain management systems (transportation management, inventory management, warehouse management) into a single integrated platform that uses a unified identifier to track loads across all operations. This merging eliminates the need to access separate systems while maintaining comprehensive tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified identifier serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks loads across different carriers, monitors inventory levels, manages warehouse operations, and provides pricing information. This single universal identifier replaces the need for multiple separate tracking systems.
2Loss of information
If multiple user interfaces are required to access different supply chain systems, then access to comprehensive information is enabled, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple user interfaces into a single unified interface that displays information from all supply chain systems. Users can access load tracking, inventory status, warehouse operations, and carrier pricing through one interface, eliminating the need to switch between multiple systems.
3Reliability
If manual contact with carriers is required to determine load status, then accurate status information can be obtained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service load tracking where the automated platform continuously monitors and retrieves load status information from carriers and supply chain systems without requiring manual user intervention. The unified identifier enables automatic querying and updating of status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes automated feedback loops where load status information is continuously retrieved from carriers and supply chain systems, updated in real-time, and displayed to users. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates manual status checking while maintaining accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If load board auctions are used to find alternative carriers, then carrier capacity flexibility is improved, but price predictability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-contracting with carriers for specific shipping lanes at agreed-upon prices before loads need to be shipped. This establishes baseline price predictability while still allowing the load board auction mechanism to be used when capacity issues arise, with the pre-contracted carriers serving as a stable reference point.
5Measurement precision
If different identifiers are used by different systems to track items, trailers, and loads, then system-specific tracking precision is maintained, but information aggregation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified identifier serves as a universal key that works across all supply chain systems and carriers. It maintains the precision of system-specific tracking while enabling automatic aggregation of information from multiple sources by serving as a common reference point that links different identifier systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods described herein relate to managing transportation of loads of items within a retail supply chain. A unified load tracking system aggregates information from multiple supply chain computing systems for presentation on a user interface accessible by multiple users. One user interface provide access to a multitude of information that is interconnected by a common, unique identifier for each movement of a load between an origin and destination. A load board is also provided which automates the spot market auction process and load tender process between carriers and a retail enterprise transportation management system.