Optimizing Customer Delivery Services

摘要

Systems and methods for delivering items to customers are disclosed. In one embodiment, an initial delivery schedule is established. The delivery schedule comprises a plurality of slots representing delivery times and delivery locations for the customers, wherein the slots are assigned as a result of a collaborative process. A set of pre-selected additional customers are identified for possible scheduling of any open slot. In real-time, additional slots in the initial delivery schedule are automatically identified. The additional slots represent a capacity to provide the item to one or more additional customers. One or more target customers are contacted to fill the additional slots. The target customers are automatically selected from the set of pre-selected additional customers based upon a target customer location relative to delivery locations associated with the slots adjacent to the additional slot. Customers may also pick up items from a delivery vehicle parked at a centralized location.

主权项

1. A method for delivering items to a plurality of customers, comprising:
establishing an initial delivery schedule comprising a plurality of slots representing delivery times and delivery locations for the customers, wherein the items are to be delivered to each of the customers at an assigned delivery time and delivery location, the assigned delivery time resulting from a collaborative negotiation with the customer; identifying, by a computer system, a set of pre-selected additional customers for possible scheduling of any open slot; automatically identifying in real-time an additional slot in the initial delivery schedule, the additional slot representing a capacity to provide the item to one or more additional customers; and contacting one or more target customers to fill the additional slot, wherein the target customers are automatically selected from the set of pre-selected additional customers based upon at least a target customer location relative to delivery locations associated with the slots adjacent to the additional slot.