Patent ID: 7827118
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A centralized computer system for managing shipping of a plurality of parcels by a plurality of users using a plurality of carriers, said centralized computer system comprising: a plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices, wherein the plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices are adapted to communicate cooperatively, wherein each server computer device of the plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices is programmed to perform at least one particular shipping management function of a plurality of shipping management functions, wherein each particular shipping management function contributes to managing shipping of the plurality of parcels; at least a first server computer device of the plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices that is adapted for concurrent remote access by the plurality of users via a communications network, wherein the first server computer device is adapted for communicating an access of the first server computer device by one or more users of the plurality of users to at least one functionally aligned server computer device of the plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices; at least a second server computer device of the plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices that is programmed to perform a first particular shipping management function, wherein said first particular shipping management function comprises rating each respective request by each respective user of the plurality of users to ship a respective parcel, wherein rating for a respective parcel is performed by the second server computer device according to a respective shipping input from a respective user via a respective client computer device, and wherein rating for the respective parcel is performed by the second server computer device for each delivery service offered by each carrier of a plurality of carriers that would ship the respective parcel; and at least a third server computer device of the plurality of functionally aligned server computer devices that is programmed to perform a second particular shipping management function, wherein said second particular shipping management function comprises providing tracking information to a respective user regarding a respective shipping status corresponding to a respective parcel that was shipped by the respective user using a respective carrier of the plurality of carriers, wherein the third server computer device is programmed to: