Patent ID: 6560509
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A method for managing a distribution facility, the method comprising:receiving descriptions of multiple orders from an order-management subsystem; receiving, from an automated transportation subsystem, data which indicates that the distribution facility has received an item, wherein the automated transportation subsystem monitors a conveyor to automatically detect items received into the distribution facility; in response to receiving data which indicates that the distribution facility has received an item, automatically determining whether a particular order among the multiple orders is currently fillable by comparing one or more of the descriptions from the order-management subsystem with information about available products to determine whether all products required for the particular order are available; in response to determining that no order is currently fillable, automatically causing the automated transportation subsystem to divert the item to a storage area; in response to determining that the particular order is currently fillable, automatically selecting a carrier for the particular order; automatically estimating a shipping capacity required for shipping the particular order; in response to automatically selecting the carrier and estimating the shipping capacity required, automatically determining whether the selected carrier has a vehicle present at the distribution facility with sufficient capacity to accommodate the particular order; in response to determining that the selected carrier does not have a vehicle present at the distribution facility with sufficient capacity to accommodate the particular order, automatically causing the automated transportation subsystem to divert the item to the storage area; and in response to determining that the selected carrier has a vehicle present at the distribution facility with sufficient capacity to accommodate the particular order, automatically causing the automated transportation subsystem to transport products for the particular order to one or more distribution stations, such that the item received by the distribution facility may bypass the storage area and be transported automatically to a distribution station for shipment with the particular order.