Abstract: According to various embodiments, a flow validation system models distribution flows of a consignor's packages from each of one or more hubs within a carrier's shipping network. The flow validation system allows the carrier and/or the consignor to identify at least one optimal hub within the carrier's shipping network to which packages destined for a particular geographical area (e.g., three-digit ZIP code) should be shipped from their origin and from which the packages should be distributed through the carrier's general shipping network to their respective destinations. According to various embodiments, the optimal hub (or hubs) for packages destined for a particular geographical area may be identified based on the number of days expected to transport the packages from the origin to the particular geographical area via the optimal hub (least “time-in-transit”) and/or the distance (or range of distances) between the optimal hub and the particular geographical area.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a flow validation system models distribution flows of a consignor's packages from each of one or more hubs within a carrier's shipping network. The flow validation system allows the carrier and/or the consignor to identify at least one optimal hub within the carrier's shipping network to which packages destined for a particular geographical area (e.g., three-digit ZIP code) should be shipped from their origin and from which the packages should be distributed through the carrier's general shipping network to their respective destinations. According to various embodiments, the optimal hub (or hubs) for packages destined for a particular geographical area may be identified based on the number of days expected to transport the packages from the origin to the particular geographical area via the optimal hub (least “time-in-transit”) and/or the distance (or range of distances) between the optimal hub and the particular geographical area.