Patent ID: 8407096
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method implemented by a computer having a processor executing a computer program, the method comprising: receiving an order for a plurality of products comprising a plurality of different types of products; organizing the plurality of different types of products into distinct groups of products; determining, with the computer, a storage capacity for respective shipping containers, including maximum storage capacities for respective shipping containers; determining, by the computer, a plurality of the distinct groups of products to assign to a first shipping container based on at least the determined storage capacity of the first shipping container relative to storage requirements for shipping the plurality of distinct groups of products, the plurality of distinct groups of products comprising a plurality of different types of products; assigning all of the determined plurality of distinct groups of products to the first shipping container; determining, by the computer, capacities for respective distribution centers from a plurality of distribution centers to fill and ship all of the plurality of distinct groups of products assigned to the first shipping container, wherein the capacities for respective distribution centers are determined with respect to all of the plurality of distinct groups of products assigned to the first shipping container; selecting, by the computer, a first distribution center from the plurality of distribution centers based on the respective capacities of the distribution centers to fill and ship all of the plurality of distinct groups of products assigned to the first shipping container in order to prevent splitting of the plurality of distinct groups of products among multiple containers; and assigning, with the computer, all of the plurality of distinct groups of products to the selected first distribution center.