A method and system for fulfilling customer orders having a data base that is adapted to store a plurality of customer orders and identity of warehouse inventory items and return inventory items that make up each of the customer orders. Some of the orders are single item orders with only one inventory item assigned to that order. Some of the orders are multiple item orders with multiple inventory items assigned to that order. Returned items that are processed and determined to be acceptable to be re-distributed are re-introduced into the inventory data base and are available to be assigned to an order. Warehouse inventory and return inventory are maintained independent of each other to reduce redundant operations. The order fulfilment system retrieves items from either or both of the warehouse inventory and return inventory to fulfil customer orders. The order fulfilment system may utilizes human associates or robot associates.

A system for delivering an article from a first location to a second location with a robot having a closeable transport container for housing the article during transport. A closeable recipient container is provided at the second location for receiving the article. At least one computer configured to navigate the robot over an outdoor transportation network between locations is provided. The robot has a robot article transport mechanism controlled by the at least one computer for removing the article from the transport container and the recipient container has a recipient article transport mechanism for moving the article inside the recipient container.

The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels.

Described herein is a medication return platform for managing returns of unused medications. In various embodiments, the medication return platform authorizes shipments of unused medications to manufacturers for disposal. The medication return platform may also provide a rebate for the returned medication to health insurance companies, employers, and other purchasers of medication. To facilitate the return process, the medication return platform may provide de minimis gifts to patients in exchange for their unused medications.

Described herein is a medication return platform for managing returns of unused medications. In various embodiments, the medication return platform authorizes shipments of unused medications to manufacturers for disposal. The medication return platform may also provide a rebate for the returned medication to health insurance companies, employers, and other purchasers of medication. To facilitate the return process, the medication return platform may provide de minimis gifts to patients in exchange for their unused medications.

A method and system determining an inventory threshold for offering for online sale or an inventory threshold for sourcing in node order assignment. The method includes receiving by a computer processor of a probabilistic cancellation module an electronic record of a current order or item. The program instructions executed by the processor of the probabilistic cancellation module allows the module to retrieve historical and current data of each node from a plurality of nodes. The method then includes automatically converting the retrieved historical data into a probability of cancellation of an item comprising the one or more items from the plurality of items. Further, the method includes identifying an inventory threshold for offering of an item or an inventory threshold for sourcing of one or more items of the current order, where the probability of item cancellation is lower than a predetermined order cancelation rate of the one or more items from the plurality of items.

Methods are described that perform a dispatched consumer-to-store return or swap logistics operation for an item being replaced using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. The method begins with receiving a return operation dispatch command that includes identifier information, transport parameters, and designated pickup information for the item being replaced/returned, along with authentication information related to an authorized supplier of the item being replaced. Modular components of the bot apparatus are verified to be compatible with the dispatched logistics operation. The MAM then autonomously causes the bot apparatus to move to the designated pickup location, notifies the authorized supplier of an approaching pickup, receives supplier authorization input to permissively allow access to a payload area within the bot apparatus, monitors loading as the item being replaced is received along with return documentation, and then autonomously causes movement of the bot apparatus back to the origin location.

To provide a delivery management method that is based on resource conservation, energy conservation, ecology and the like. [Resolution Means] Host computers (10 and 20) that provide the steps of: selecting between a packaging mode using a cardboard box and a packaging mode using a return box that goes back and forth between a delivery destination and a product delivery center without the use of the cardboard box with regards to the packaging of a product when an order for a product is received from a terminal device (S103); assigning a return box and a pickup location of a delivery company in a zone that includes the delivery destination of the product when the packaging mode using the return box is selected using a selection screen (S111); stowing the product in the assigned return box at the product delivery center (S115); delivering the return box from the product delivery center (S116); and returning the return box to the product delivery center after the return box has been delivered (S119).

Systems and methods for fulfilling an order for a product placed by a customer in which the product is stored and transported within reusable containers. A method includes receiving from a customer an order for an amount of a product; selecting a primary container for holding the amount of the product; selecting a shipping container for holding the selected primary container; charging a product fee to an account, the product fee based on the amount of product ordered; determining a container rental fee based on the selected primary container and the selected shipping container; placing a hold on the account for an amount equal to the container rental fee; filling the selected primary container with the amount of the product from a bulk supply of the product; placing the filled selected primary container in the selected shipping container; and shipping the selected shipping container to the customer.

A computer system for ranking potential attended delivery/pickup locations is disclosed. In various embodiments, a user or computer system identifies an area in which to establish at least one attended delivery/pickup location. In a particular embodiment, the system receives data associated with potential attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., attended delivery/pickup location candidates), including the specific characteristics of those candidates. The system then, based at least in part on the characteristics of each of the attended delivery/pickup location candidates, ranks the attended delivery/pickup location candidates and displays the rankings to a user for use in selecting the most suitable candidate for the area.