4PL System and Method

Abstract

System and method for returns management using a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 . The system comprises a set of methods for optimizing a reverse logistics system using a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 to manage the entire returns supply chain for various organizations, e.g. 211, 221 , and 231 . By operating a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 to manage multiple third-party logistics providers, a significant cost savings and efficiency can be created by tracking repair costs individually for serialized products.

1 . A reverse logistics management system comprising:
 a return order and repair order status tracking module for processing and tracking a returned product wherein the processing includes inspecting the returned product according to an applicable set of inspection criteria, wherein the return order and repair order status tracking module is configured to automatically determine disposition of the returned product based on inspecting the returned product; and   a repair order module in communication with the return order and repair order status tracking module for facilitating repair and maintaining a repair status database.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a distribution and financial module in communication with the return order and repair order status tracking module and the repair order module for processing accounting entries for a plurality of customers according to a plurality of corresponding business rules; and   a data repository and reporting module in communication with one or more of the return order and repair order status tracking module, the repair order module, and the distribution and financial module, operated by a logistics integrator to support one or more of process management, claims verification, and billing, wherein the logistics integrator comprises a fourth-party logistics enterprise configured to integrate and process information from a plurality of third-party logistics providers.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the distribution and financial module further includes transaction processing for sales orders and invoices and for managing inventory data for a plurality of customers and reverse logistics processes. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the return order and repair order status tracking module further comprises sub-modules for sales order inquiry, return for credit, return for exchange, undeliverable/refused, return not shipped from customer, return disposition, inventory receipt, return authorization order inquiry, electronic serial number inquiry, item inquiry, return authorization hold for credit validation, return to sender, repair order status tracking, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the repair order module further comprises submodules for repair orders, capture of key repair information required by customers, repair order status and disposition data, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the distribution and financial module further comprises sub-modules for sales order processing, inventory management, procurement, customer history, financial accounting, customer credit, price adjustment, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the distribution and financial module communicates to the return order and repair order status tracking module information selected from the group consisting of created and updated item information, created and updated shipping information, sales order information, created and updated customer information, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the return order and repair order status tracking module is in communication with the repair order module to create repair orders and update status and disposition data of returns. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the repair order module is in communication with the distribution and financial module to create sales orders and line items. 
     
     
         10 . A method of reverse logistics management comprising:
 operating a logistics integrator to maintain data of a reverse logistics management system, wherein the logistics integrator is a fourth-party logistics enterprise configured to integrate and process information from a plurality of third-party logistics providers; and   creating automated business rules for determining disposition of a repaired product and generating repaired device instructions to service a plurality of customers and product types using a plurality of said automated business rules, wherein the disposition of the returned product is automatically determined based on inspecting the returned product.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 creating a return order in the returns management system based on a product serial number;   providing instructions to the returning party in accordance with the return order;   publishing return order data and repaired product instructions from the returns management system to a third-party logistics provider's database;   publishing sales order and item master data to a sales order database and a return and repair order status database;   receiving the returned product;   validating that the return contents match the return order data;   inspecting the returned product according to an applicable set of inspection criteria selected from a plurality of inspection criteria sets; and   receiving status updates from the third-party logistics provider's database.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 inspecting the return according to an applicable set of inspection criteria selected from a database of inspection criteria sets to service a plurality of customers and product types with a plurality of processing rules;   creating the repair order in the repair order module;   publishing the repair order to the repair order module;   entering actions performed on the return;   updating status or disposition of the repair order;   publishing the updated status or disposition of the repair order; shipping the repair; and   closing the repair order.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inspection comprises receiving the return and comparing the contents of the return received with applicable descriptions according to inspection rules maintained in the system by the logistics integrator to classify the returned product based on its enterprise and make/model. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the fourth-party logistics enterprise receives the returned product directly from a returning party and forwards the returned product to one of the plurality of third-party logistics providers' repair facilities. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 selecting one of the return orders to process;   presenting applicable descriptions and inspection rules matching an enterprise, make and model of the return;   entering applicable data regarding the return into the system;   sending information regarding action to take regarding the return;   taking action regarding the return according to the information sent;   creating a repair order for the return;   decrementing inventory;   processing debit/credit information;   transferring calculated debit/credit information; and   updating an inventory database.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the applicable data entered comprise quantity received, reason, disposition, prior repairs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the information sent regarding action to take comprises an alert to create a sales order for shipping and handling charges, serial number and return information; an alert to create a debit memo for restocking fee; an alert to perform price adjustment; an alert to create a sales order for exchanging the return; or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising updating the electronic serial number after the inventory is updated. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a returning party sends the returned product directly to one of the plurality of third-party logistics providers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the contents validation and inspection is performed by a third-party logistics supplier or vendor.