Patent ID: 8756090
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for optimizing the shipment of merchandise, said system including: one or more transport vehicles, said one or more transport vehicles transporting a shipment from a first shipper and a second shipper to a first receiver and a second receiver, wherein said first receiver maintains a first inventory of merchandise at a first receiver location, wherein a first inventory determination determines the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for said first inventory according to one or more first metrics in response to first data received from said first receiver, wherein said second receiver maintains a second inventory of merchandise at a second receiver location, wherein a second inventory determination determines the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for said second inventory according to one or more second metrics in response to second data received from said second receiver; and computer hardware, computer software stored on a computer and operating on a computer or a combination of computer hardware and computer software stored on a computer and operating on a computer determining a shipment of merchandise, wherein said shipment of said merchandise is optimized by determining one or more maximum loads of said one or more transport vehicles at least in part by calculating an amount of merchandise for shipment by said one or more transport vehicles from said first and second source locations to said first and second receivers that reduces logistics costs and that results in shipment of merchandise within the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for the first inventory and within the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for the second inventory according to a calculation employing at least said one or more first metrics, said one or more second metrics, said first data, and said second data.