ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ENABLED DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A system for distributing groceries to customers' homes is described. As part of the system, a distribution center stores the groceries. A delivery system, having a number of vehicles, delivers the groceries from the distribution center to the customers' homes. A computer system coordinates the distribution center and the delivery system so that, during normal operation of the system, customers can reserve delivery time windows on the same day orders are received by the computer system. Additionally, the computer guarantees the groceries ordered by the customers will arrive at their homes during the reserved delivery time windows. The computer can make this guarantee using inventory information about the groceries in the distribution center. Additionally, the computer can use information about available distribution resources, and information about available delivery resources.