Patent ID: 8401975

Claim:
A computing system, comprising one or more computing nodes that during operation implement: a memory that stores packaging-related information in a materials handling facility; and a package performance analyzer that during operation: receives an indication of a recommended container in which to pack a group of items in the materials handling facility to be shipped, wherein the group of items comprises one or more items to be packed together for shipping, and wherein the indication identifies a container of a specific type and size; calculates an expected cost of shipping the group of items in the recommended container, wherein the expected shipping cost comprises an expected transportation cost and an expected shipping materials cost, and wherein the expected shipping cost is dependent on the recommended container; receives an indication of an actual container in which the group of items was packed and shipped, wherein the indication of the actual container identifies a container of a specific type and size that is different than the recommended container; calculates an actual cost of shipping the group of items in the actual container, wherein the actual shipping cost comprises an actual transportation cost and an actual shipping materials cost, and wherein the actual shipping cost is dependent on the actual container; stores the expected shipping cost and the actual shipping cost as part of the packaging-related information in the memory, wherein the expected shipping cost and the actual shipping cost are associated with an identifier of the group of items; and analyzes performance of packaging-related operations in the materials handling facility dependent on the packaging-related information stored in the memory, wherein analyzing performance of packaging-related operations comprises: comparing the expected shipping cost to the actual shipping cost; and in response to determining that the actual shipping cost exceeds the expected shipping cost, determining an excess shipping cost value for the group of items that is due to shipping the group of items in a container other than the recommended container.