Larry L Roder

US Patent:

20020123944, Sep 5, 2002

Filed:

Mar 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/799857

Inventors:

Richard Williams - Austin TX, US
Mark Pape - Austin TX, US
Branden Bickley - Austin TX, US
Brian Hunt - Austin TX, US
William Muir - Round Rock TX, US
Larry Roder - Georgetown TX, US
Mariely Franzetti - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

DELL PRODUCTS L.P.

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/029000, 705/028000

Abstract:

A method for shipping items from a distribution facility according to customer orders may include a step of determining that the distribution facility contains all items requested in a customer order. The method may also include a step of determining that the requested items are a less-than-trailer-load (LTL) shipment. In response to determining that the distribution facility contains the requested items, a determination may be made as to whether sufficient pallet-build squares are available in the distribution facility to accommodate the requested items. In response to determining that sufficient pallet-build squares are available, the requested items may be automatically transported to an LTL dock in the distribution facility via one or more of the available pallet-build squares.