Abstract: Route planning methods for use by a package delivery service provider are disclosed that satisfy a stochastic daily demand while taking advantage of drivers' route familiarity over time. A model for estimating the value of driver familiarity is disclosed along with both an empirical and a mathematical model for estimating the value of route consistency, along with a Core Area Route Design which involves the concepts of combinatorial optimization, meta-heuristic algorithms, tabu search heuristics, network formulation modeling, and multi-stage graph modeling. In one embodiment, a service territory is divided into unassigned cells associated with a grid segment involving prior driver delivery stops, and a driver from a pool of unassigned drivers is assigned to a route based on examining each driver's grid segment visiting frequency limit with respect to a minimum limit so as to optimize driver selection based on of each driver's familiarity with the route.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information management and collaboration system and method for managing information flow in real time. A real time chat communication channel provides a link for users to interact in a customized setting. Users are provided with such customizable features as contextual transcripts, parameterized input and output panels, channel management, contact management and application interaction. The system and method disclosed allows information to be managed in a customized environment based on user preferences. Further, the system and method disclosed provide a highly configurable environment for interaction with other information and collaboration systems, as well as other utility application programs.

Abstract: Route planning methods for use by a package delivery service provider are disclosed that satisfy a stochastic daily demand while taking advantage of drivers' route familiarity over time. A model for estimating the value of driver familiarity is disclosed along with both an empirical and a mathematical model for estimating the value of route consistency, along with a Core Area Route Design which involves the concepts of combinatorial optimization, meta-heuristic algorithms, tabu search heuristics, network formulation modeling, and multi-stage graph modeling. In one embodiment, a service territory is divided into unassigned cells associated with a grid segment involving prior driver delivery stops, and a driver from a pool of unassigned drivers is assigned to a route based on examining each driver's grid segment visiting frequency limit with respect to a minimum limit so as to optimize driver selection based on of each driver's familiarity with the route.

Abstract: Route planning methods for use by a package delivery service provider are disclosed that satisfy a stochastic daily demand while taking advantage of drivers' route familiarity over time. A model for estimating the value of driver familiarity is disclosed along with both an empirical and a mathematical model for estimating the value of route consistency, along with a Core Area Route Design which involves the concepts of combinational optimization, meta-heuristic algorithms, tabu search heuristics, network formulation modeling, and multi-stage graph modeling. In one embodiment, a service territory is divided into unassigned cells associated with a grid segment involving prior driver delivery stops, and a driver from a pool of unassigned drivers is assigned to a route based on examining each driver's grid segment visiting frequency limit with respect to a minimum limit so as to optimize driver selection based on of each driver's familiarity with the route.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information management and collaboration system and method for managing information flow in real time. A real time chat communication channel provides a link for users to interact in a customized setting. Users are provided with such customizable features as contextual transcripts, parameterized input and output panels, channel management, contact management and application interaction. The system and method disclosed allows information to be managed in a customized environment based on user preferences. Further, the system and method disclosed provide a highly configurable environment for interaction with other information and collaboration systems, as well as other utility application programs.