Patent ID: 7251612

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for dynamically creating a schedule of timeslot segments for a plurality of routes and timeslots, the method comprising: determining from a calendar, a set of possible route types for a selected day and a template Identifier; based upon the determined set of possible route types, retrieving a set of available route types from a template identified by the template identifier, wherein the available route types are limited to those route types that are within the set of possible route types, wherein the template includes at least available route types; for each available route type, determining a set of routes for the selected day; and for each set of routes, creating in a data repository a set of schedulable timeslot segments that correspond to the selected day, wherein the routes are determined based on the available route types, the route types being descriptors or identifiers for grouping the different routes, wherein each of the routes is not separated into different route types, wherein at least one of the available route types is a default route type that is available for distribution of products or services on normal days, wherein at least another one of the available route types is a special route type that is available for distribution of products or services on holidays or without charge, and wherein the special route type can override the default route type, and wherein an electronic storefront system thereafter schedules at least one delivery stop using one or more of the set of schedulable timeslot segments, the at least one delivery stop being for delivery of a product or service.