System and method for logistics optimization using lane order pattern flexing

Abstract

A system and method is provided which determines optimal logistics solutions by allowing a purchaser of goods to vary order frequency and amount of goods ordered so as to lower logistics costs while still meeting inventory constraints. The logistics solution uses several models to search for the most optimal solution in any of a variety of metrics, including total cost, percentage trailer utilization, number of truck used, and miles driven.

1 . A method for computerized logistics optimization, said method including:
 electronically receiving a current inbound order history for a receiver of goods,
 wherein said current inbound order history represents the order history for a predetermined order history time, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a first product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said first product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the first product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said first product contained in said at least one shipment of said first product is known as the first product amount, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a second product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said second product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the second product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said second product contained in said at least one shipment of said second product is known as the second product amount, 
   wherein each of said at least one shipment of a first product and said at least one shipment of a second product utilizes a percentage of the available space of the trailer used to transport said shipment and wherein the average of all such percentages is known as the overall trailer utilization; and   electronically calculating a logistics solution set by altering at least one of said first product order frequency, said second product order frequency, said first product amount, and said second product amount to increase overall trailer utilization.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said logistics solution reduces said first product amount of at least one of said at least one shipment of said first product from truckload to less than truckload. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said order history includes information at the purchase order level. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said order history includes demand information summarized to a lane level. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein electronically calculating a logistics solution set includes simultaneously evaluating a plurality of routing models. 
     
     
         6 . A method for computerized logistics optimization, said method including:
 electronically receiving a current inbound order history for a receiver of goods,
 wherein said current inbound order history represents the order history for a predetermined order history time, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a first product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said first product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the first product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said first product contained in said at least one shipment of said first product is known as the first product amount, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a second product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said second product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the second product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said second product contained in said at least one shipment of said second product is known as the second product amount, 
   wherein each of said at least one shipment of a first product and said at least one shipment of a second product is associated with a cost of delivery and wherein the total or all costs of delivery is known at the overall cost of delivery; and   electronically calculating a logistics solution set by altering at least one of said first product order frequency, said second product order frequency, said first product amount, and said second product amount to lower said overall cost of delivery.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said logistics solution reduces said first product amount of at least one of said at least one shipment of said first product from truckload to less than truckload. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said order history includes information at the purchase order level. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said order history includes demand information summarized to a lane level. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein electronically calculating a logistics solution set includes simultaneously evaluating a plurality of routing models. 
     
     
         11 . A method for computerized logistics optimization, said method including:
 electronically receiving a current inbound order history for a receiver of goods,
 wherein said current inbound order history represents the order history for a predetermined order history time, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a first product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said first product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the first product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said first product contained in said at least one shipment of said first product is known as the first product amount, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a second product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said second product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the second product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said second product contained in said at least one shipment of said second product is known as the second product amount, 
   wherein the total of said number of times said at least one shipment of said first product takes place and the number of times said at least one shipment of said second product takes place is known as the total number of deliveries; and   electronically calculating a logistics solution set by altering at least one of said first product order frequency, said second product order frequency, said first product amount, and said second product amount to lower said total number of deliveries while receiving at least said first product amount and said second product amount.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said logistics solution reduces said first product amount of at least one of said at least one shipment of said first product from truckload to less than truckload. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said order history includes information at the purchase order level. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said order history includes demand information summarized to a lane level. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein electronically calculating a logistics solution set includes simultaneously evaluating a plurality of routing models. 
     
     
         16 . A system for computerized logistics optimization, said system including:
 an inbound transportation management system electronically receiving a current inbound order history for a receiver of goods,
 wherein said current inbound order history represents the order history for a predetermined order history time, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a first product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said first product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the first product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said first product contained in said at least one shipment of said first product is known as the first product amount, 
 wherein said inbound order history includes at least one shipment of a second product, 
 wherein the number of times said at least one shipment of said second product takes place during said predetermined order history time is known as the second product order frequency, 
 wherein the amount of said second product contained in said at least one shipment of said second product is known as the second product amount, 
   wherein each of said at least one shipment of a first product and said at least one shipment of a second product utilizes a percentage of the available space of the trailer used to transport said shipment and wherein the average of all such percentages is known as the overall trailer utilization; and   an inbound transportation optimizer electronically calculating a logistics solution set by altering at least one of said first product order frequency, said second product order frequency, said first product amount, and said second product amount to increase overall trailer utilization.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said logistics solution reduces said first product amount of at least one of said at least one shipment of said first product from truckload to less than truckload. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said order history includes information at the purchase order level. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said order history includes demand information summarized to a lane level. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein electronically calculating a logistics solution set includes simultaneously evaluating a plurality of routing models.