A method at a computing device within an asset management system, the method including receiving a leasing indication at the computing device, the leasing indication providing at least one asset in the asset management system is leased to a lessee; duplicating an asset record for each of the at least one asset, created a duplicated record; assigning a policy based on the lessee to the duplicated record; and providing a pointer within the asset record to the duplicated record.

A computing device for initiation of a process comprises a control unit which is configured to perform the steps of a corresponding method: Receive a request signal from a first remote computing device, the request signal referring to a second identifier attributed to a recipient. Retrieve a set of database entries depending on the second identifier. Transmit a response signal to the first remote computing device, the response signal including the set of database entries. Receive a selection signal from the first remote computing device, the selection signal including a selected database entry selected from the set of database entries and a first identifier attributed to a sender and requesting the initiation of the process. Retrieve location data attributed to the second identifier. Transmit an initiation signal to another remote computing device for initiation of the process, the initiation signal including the selected database entry and the location data. It is advantageous that the sender does not need to know the location data, and in particular that the location data is not transmitted to the first remote computing device.

A computing device for initiation of a process comprises a control unit which is configured to perform the steps of a corresponding method: Receive a request signal from a first remote computing device, the request signal referring to a second identifier attributed to a recipient. Retrieve a set of database entries depending on the second identifier. Transmit a response signal to the first remote computing device, the response signal including the set of database entries. Receive a selection signal from the first remote computing device, the selection signal including a selected database entry selected from the set of database entries and a first identifier attributed to a sender and requesting the initiation of the process. Retrieve location data attributed to the second identifier. Transmit an initiation signal to another remote computing device for initiation of the process, the initiation signal including the selected database entry and the location data. It is advantageous that the sender does not need to know the location data, and in particular that the location data is not transmitted to the first remote computing device.

A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.

Disclosed herein is a shipping container that includes numerous multi-factor authentication (MFA) tie ins to provide added security to the container. In some embodiments, the shipping container is associated with a mobile user profiles within a mobile application. A retailer makes a sale, then, using a mobile application, associates the container with the destination address and the MFA details associated with the buyer's mobile application account. Once the container is loaded up, the container will not open again except for the buyer using the buyer's MFA authentication credentials.

Systems and methods are directed to automated delivery systems. In one example, a vehicle is provided including a drive system, a passenger cabin; and a delivery service pod provided relative to the passenger cabin. The delivery service pod includes an access unit configured to allow for loading and unloading of a plurality of delivery crates into the delivery service pod. The delivery service pod further includes a conveyor unit comprising multiple delivery crate holding positions, the delivery crate holding positions being defined by neighboring sidewalls spaced apart within the delivery service pod such that a respective delivery crate of the plurality of delivery crates can be positioned between neighboring sidewalls, wherein the conveyor unit is configured to be rotated to align each of the delivery crate holding positions with the access unit.

A method and a system for secure and convenient delivery of item is disclosed. The method comprises loading a mobile robot with an item to be delivered. An item ID is generated, based on the ID of the item a security score is associated with the item. Further, a convenience score is associated with the item based on the ID. The present invention further discloses associating at least one or a plurality of authenticating techniques with the item, preferably based on the security score and/or the convenience score. The mobile robot is further configured to sense a user terminal via an authenticating sensor and facilitate the user to access an item space once the user is verified by the associated authenticating technique/s.

A method (100) for operating a vehicle (1) with an electric drive-train (2), wherein this electric drivetrain (2) is fed via a DC voltage source (3) and a converter (4) for converting the DC voltage into a single-phase or multiphase AC voltage, comprising the steps: —it is detected (110) that the vehicle (1) is stopped; — it is checked (120) on the basis of at least one specified criterion (10) whether the vehicle (1) is expected to be stopped only briefly; —in response to the fact that the vehicle (1) is expected to be stopped only briefly, the vehicle (1) is transferred (130) from the ready-to-drive state into a disabled state, wherein in this disabled state the vehicle (1) is protected against unauthorized use but the converter (4) continues to be supplied with the DC voltage from the DC voltage source (3); —in response to the fact that the vehicle (1) is not expected to be stopped only briefly, at least one functional test of the electric drivetrain (2), said test being provided for powering down the electric drivetrain (2), is performed (140), and after the termination of this functional test the vehicle (1) is transferred (150) into a switched-off state, in which the vehicle (1) is secured against unauthorized use and the supply of the converter (4) from the DC voltage source (3) is interrupted.

Producing mail batches on inserters located at multiple production sites, includes: preparing a print job and a job file for a mail batch; allocating the mail batch to at least one production site with production software running on a production server; flagging the mailpieces for the production site; sending the print job to a printer of the production site; printing the documents; delivering the documents an inserter of the production site; scanning a first mailpiece identifier on a first document; sending an initial request to the production server including the first mailpiece identifier and identifying the inserter and the production site; verifying via the production software that the first mailpiece identifier is valid; and sending back to the inserter a confirmation message for processing the mailpiece wherein the confirmation message includes a list of valid mailpiece identifiers neighbouring the first mailpiece identifier in the job file.

A locker system for shipment delivery and pick-up comprising: a remote shipping system, a long distance communication network, and a locker bank communicating with the remote shipping system via the long distance communication network and comprising a processor with a digital storage and a series of single shipment compartments equipped with doors electronically controlled by the processor, a drop compartment comprising an aperture for shipment drop-offs and whose access is protected by a rotating locking protection electronically controlled by the processor, and a locking collection door electronically controlled by the processor and protecting access to the drop compartment, the rotating locking protection and locking collection door being in the same vertical plane as the doors of the single shipment compartments.