Daniel B Thornton

US Patent:

7426484, Sep 16, 2008

Filed:

Feb 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/357971

Inventors:

Robert F. Joyce - Alpharetta GA, US
Gary Alan Smith - Peachtree City GA, US
Daniel B. Thornton - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

United Parcel Service of America, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 28, 705 22, 340 592, 235385

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems and methods of consolidating, shipping and distributing items comprising multiple orders to multiple customers. The orders are received by an inventory management service, filled and packaged at a centralized distribution center in fewer containers than there are orders. For instance, if there are N orders destined for a particular authorized outlet, then the N orders will be consolidated and shipped in at most N−1, or fewer, containers. However, each order is individually packaged, controlled, tracked and received as an individual order. The consolidated containers are shipped to an authorized outlet and the individual orders are distributed to the customers. Also provided are systems and methods for returning orders that are not picked up at the authorized outlet to a central location. The items may be, for example, service parts, wireless communication devices, etc.