Patent ID: 6370515
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A method for automating and coordinating delivery operations of a bulk shipping terminal, comprising the steps of:providing a local computer network disposed at the bulk shipping terminal, the local computer network including a local CPU and a local database, a data collection network which includes data collection units and a subscriber input device, and the local computer network further including a local data transfer connection between said local CPU at the bulk shipping terminal and a global computer network; providing a central office having a central database configured in a relational database format, wherein data from the local database is received via the global computer network and later selectively retrieved from the central database, and further providing a remote data transfer connection between the central office and the global computer network; collecting data from the data collecting units via the data collection network, and then storing the collected data locally in the local database; entering subscriber input data to request driver access to bulk goods stored in the bulk shipping terminal, and storing the subscriber inputs in the local database; comparing the input data to stored transport request data to determine whether to allow the driver access to the bulk goods; storing loading data and inventory data in the local database; transmitting the loading and inventory data from the local database, through the global computer network, and to the central office; storing the transmitted loading and inventory data in the central database; and providing selected data compilations made at the central office to various customers in response to corresponding customer requests and according to respective customer selected data formats.