Method for anticipating the distribution and sorting of items to be sorted in a logistics network, comprising the following steps: a) detecting sorted item-specific data at least with the initial feeding-in of items to be sorted into the logistics network and collecting this sorted item-specific data in a database assigned to a higher-level control instance, b) providing a number of distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10), which have a number of collection points and output points as well as sorting systems; c) providing a number of transportation means (28, 30, 32) for conveying the items to be sorted between the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10); d) providing the higher-level control instance, which controls a distribution of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) to the collection points and/or the distribution of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) to the output points as a function of factors relevant to the distribution and sorting process; and e) evaluating the database for anticipating the determination of sorting and distribution tasks in the logistics network, wherein the factors relevant to the distribution process are evaluated by the higher-level control instance and in detail comprise the following data: e1) sorted item-specific data, such as delivery location, weight, size of packaging, type of packaging, requisite sorting system type, data relating to service quality for one or more sorted pieces of the items to be sorted; e2) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) for the items to be sorted between the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10); e3) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the number of sorting systems; e4) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the number of collection points and/or output points; e5) data relating to the arrival of transportation means (28, 30, 32) at one of the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10) and to the items to be sorted delivered by the transportation means (28, 30, 32); and e6) data relating to the available or future capacity of transportation means (28, 30, 32) for receiving sorted items to be sorted; and e7) data relating to the available and/or future capacity of delivery means for delivery of the items to be sorted to addressees. a) detecting sorted item-specific data at least with the initial feeding-in of items to be sorted into the logistics network and collecting this sorted item-specific data in a database assigned to a higher-level control instance, b) providing a number of distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10), which have a number of collection points and output points as well as sorting systems; c) providing a number of transportation means (28, 30, 32) for conveying the items to be sorted between the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10); d) providing the higher-level control instance, which controls a distribution of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) to the collection points and/or the distribution of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) to the output points as a function of factors relevant to the distribution and sorting process; and e) evaluating the database for anticipating the determination of sorting and distribution tasks in the logistics network, wherein the factors relevant to the distribution process are evaluated by the higher-level control instance and in detail comprise the following data: e1) sorted item-specific data, such as delivery location, weight, size of packaging, type of packaging, requisite sorting system type, data relating to service quality for one or more sorted pieces of the items to be sorted; e2) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) for the items to be sorted between the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10); e3) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the number of sorting systems; e4) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the number of collection points and/or output points; e5) data relating to the arrival of transportation means (28, 30, 32) at one of the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10) and to the items to be sorted delivered by the transportation means (28, 30, 32); and e6) data relating to the available or future capacity of transportation means (28, 30, 32) for receiving sorted items to be sorted; and e7) data relating to the available and/or future capacity of delivery means for delivery of the items to be sorted to addressees. e1) sorted item-specific data, such as delivery location, weight, size of packaging, type of packaging, requisite sorting system type, data relating to service quality for one or more sorted pieces of the items to be sorted; e2) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the transportation means (28, 30, 32) for the items to be sorted between the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10); e3) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the number of sorting systems; e4) data relating to the current and possibly future utilisation of the number of collection points and/or output points; e5) data relating to the arrival of transportation means (28, 30, 32) at one of the distribution and sorting centres (6 to 10) and to the items to be sorted delivered by the transportation means (28, 30, 32); and e6) data relating to the available or future capacity of transportation means (28, 30, 32) for receiving sorted items to be sorted; and e7) data relating to the available and/or future capacity of delivery means for delivery of the items to be sorted to addressees.