Abstract: Methods include, prior to arrival of the incoming shipment of packages at a distribution facility, automatically determining an unload score for the incoming shipment based on electronic shipment data, the electronic shipment data including and the unload score being at least partially based on at least two or more of: a total number of packages in the incoming shipment, a number of products in the incoming shipment, and a conveyability of the packages in the incoming shipment, automatically comparing the unload score to a threshold unload score, sending instruction for directing a truck carrying the incoming shipment to at least one automated or manual receiving door when the unload score is at least equal to the threshold unload score, and sending instruction directing a truck carrying the incoming shipment to the other of the automated or manual receiving door when the unload score is less than the threshold unload score.

Abstract: Methods include, prior to arrival of the incoming shipment of packages at a distribution facility, automatically determining an unload score for the incoming shipment based on electronic shipment data, the electronic shipment data including and the unload score being at least partially based on at least two or more of: a total number of packages in the incoming shipment, a number of products in the incoming shipment, and a conveyability of the packages in the incoming shipment, automatically comparing the unload score to a threshold unload score, sending instruction for directing a truck carrying the incoming shipment to at least one automated or manual receiving door when the unload score is at least equal to the threshold unload score, and sending instruction directing a truck carrying the incoming shipment to the other of the automated or manual receiving door when the unload score is less than the threshold unload score.

Abstract: A package processing system is disclosed for a distribution facility. The package processing system includes a reader and a controller. The reader is configured to automatically identify vendor labels on each package of a shipment of packages, each such vendor label being one of a plurality of label types and including a package identifier code representative of the corresponding package. The reader is configured to select a vendor label for each package from identified vendor labels based on label type. The controller is configured to receive distribution instructions based on electronic shipment data representative of the shipment and each package of the shipment and on inventory and to assign a routing code for each package based on a comparison of the package identifier code of the corresponding selected label with electronic shipment data and distribution instructions. Each package is distributed within the distribution facility based on the corresponding routing code.

Abstract: A package processing system is disclosed for a distribution facility. The package processing system includes a reader and a controller. The reader is configured to automatically identify vendor labels on each package of a shipment of packages, each such vendor label being one of a plurality of label types and including a package identifier code representative of the corresponding package. The reader is configured to select a vendor label for each package from identified vendor labels based on label type. The controller is configured to receive distribution instructions based on electronic shipment data representative of the shipment and each package of the shipment and on inventory and to assign a routing code for each package based on a comparison of the package identifier code of the corresponding selected label with electronic shipment data and distribution instructions. Each package is distributed within the distribution facility based on the corresponding routing code.

Abstract: An automated receiving system for a distribution facility having at least one automated receiving door and at least one manual receiving door. The automated receiving system includes a scheduler and a transport system. The scheduler is configured to receive electronic shipment data representative of an incoming shipment of packages, to determine an unload score for the incoming shipment based on the electronic shipment data, and to cause the incoming shipment to be directed to either the at least one automated receiving door or the at least one manual receiving door based on the unload score. The transport system is configured to successively receive each package from the incoming shipment and to transport each package within the distribution facility.