Methods and systems for estimating shipping costs with at least one vendor are provided, including methods and systems for determining shipping rates with high accuracy and scalability, for any shipment of certain characteristics and service levels. Methods and systems include a database containing information on contracted shipping rates, zone mappings, and accessorial charges with at least one vendor. When this information used in conjunction with information about a package's shipping origin, shipping destination, dimensions, weight, and eligible service levels to estimate the shipping cost of a package for at least one vendor.

Embodiments of a system and method for automating shipping for a physical object can include an object dimensions measurer (ODM) operable to collect and wirelessly transmit a dimensions dataset for the physical object, an object weight measurer (OWM) operable to collect and wirelessly transmit a weight dataset for the physical object, and a shipping automation system operable to receive datasets from the ODM and the OWM, implement a compatibility rule facilitating standardization of requirements for service levels provided by shipping carriers, determine object characteristics for the physical object, determine object characteristic specifications required by the service levels, and determine a service level for the physical object based on the object characteristics and the object characteristic specifications.

There is provided a device including: an order information acquisition unit configured to acquire order information including destination information indicating a destination for transporting perishables to be ordered; a transportation information acquisition unit configured to acquire transportation information including temperature and location information of perishables in transport; a temperature estimation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the transportation information and the order information, an estimated temperature at the destination in a case where the perishables in transport are transported to the destination; a decision unit configured to decide whether to transport the perishables in transport to the destination on the basis of the estimated temperature; and an instruction unit configured to provide instruction to transport the perishables in transport to the destination according to a result of the decision.

A location-based transportation network for a transportation process is disclosed. The transportation process may be divided into the following stages: identification, communication, agreement, shipment, and payment. With identification, one party to the transport of the good is identified to the other party (e.g., potential carriers to a shipper, or potential shippers to a carrier). In the second stage, the shipper(s) and carrier(s) communicate with one another in order to discuss terms of the shipment. In a third stage, the shipper and carrier come to an agreement. In a fourth stage, the carrier picks up and ships the goods. Finally, payment may be arranged between the shipper and the carrier. An index pricing model is configured to facilitate the identification stage. Further, a graphical user interface can convey information, output search results, plan a route, facilitate communication between the shipper and carrier, and/or enable agreement between the shipper and carrier.

A procurement work assistance device includes a storage unit configured to store order history information, delivery history information, and a procurement plan in which an item to be procured is registered, a delivery expectation index calculation unit configured to calculate, by using the order history information, a delivery expectation index indicating easiness of delivery for each item of each supplier, and an order plan formulation unit configured to generate delivery expectation index histogram information indicating a relationship between the delivery expectation index and a delivery rate calculated based on the delivery history information, calculate a delivery expectation index of the item in the procurement plan, determine, by using the delivery expectation index histogram information, the supplier having the highest delivery rate associated with the delivery expectation index, and generate order plan information including the item in the procurement plan and the determined supplier.

Various implementations directed to a system and method for product delivery using a fulfillment model are provided. In one implementation, a method may include generating a fulfillment database for fulfillers, where the fulfillment database includes inventory data and location data. The method may also include receiving order data from an originator, where the order data includes delivery data and product data corresponding to a transaction between a customer and the originator, and where the product data includes data corresponding to a product purchased by the customer from the originator. The method may further include determining optimal prices for the fulfillers using a pricing model based on the order data and the fulfillment database. The method may additionally include selecting a first fulfiller using a fulfillment model based on the order data, the fulfillment database, and the optimal prices.

A technology is described for a transportation management service. In one example, parameters can be received for transporting a load from an origin location to a destination location. In response, carriers that have available capacity to transport the load can be identified based on the parameters. Meta tags included in a strategic capacity profile defining a strategy for transporting the load can be retrieved. The strategy may be defined by the meta tags, which describe carrier attributes used to select a carrier to transport the load. The meta tags can be used to identify a set of carriers that have attributes that correspond to the meta tags and who are eligible to transport the load based on the parameters. The carrier data for the set of carriers can be provided to a user to allow a selection of one or more carriers to send tenders.

A system for facilitating freight transactions that includes a secure portal for receiving users' (carriers, forwarders, shippers, and market makers) data that includes orders and capacity postings between destinations. The system also includes a back-end modules configured for collecting capacity/shipping volume data to generate forecast data, managing derivative contracts, determining best possible routing given the orders and capacity postings, breaking the best possible routing into component segments that is then traded as derivative contracts, providing report, managing settlement and clearinghouse functions, and receiving risk assessment about the forecast data. The system further includes an interface layer for facilitating communications between the portal and the back-end modules. The system moreover includes a contract and capacity management module configured for enabling the carriers and the forwarders to strategically position their capacity. The system yet also includes a real time integration layer configured for enabling a external systems to interact with the system.

A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.

Technologies are shown for securing private information during shipping of an item storing shipping information at a blockchain address that includes a recipient geolocation address and generating a shipping label that includes a machine-readable pointer to the blockchain address. The label can be scanned to obtain the blockchain address and request the shipping information. In response to a request, the recipient geolocation address or a next intermediate shipper can be provided. The recipient can be notified to obtain authorization to release the recipient geolocation address or provide an alternative geolocation for delivery.