Abstract: An example adjustable truck compartment is described. The truck compartment includes a first side wall including a first guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a second side wall disposed opposite from the first side wall, the second side wall including a second guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the second side wall. The truck compartment includes a rear wall coupled to the distal ends of the first and second side walls to define an enclosure between the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall. The truck compartment includes a first divider panel configured to be received by the first and second guiding rails and within the enclosure in an orientation parallel to a floor of the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first enclosure volume and a second enclosure volume.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a transportation staffing management system. An amount of transportations miles are forecasted for delivering inventory from a distribution enter to a store based on a sales forecast for a store. Non-driving time for drivers engaged in delivering inventory to a store is tracked based on data collected in real-time from mobile computing devices associated with delivery vehicles. An amount of time needed to deliver the inventory based on the forecasted amount of transportation miles and non-driving is calculated. An optimal transportation workload is generated for the distribution center based on the amount of time, data from a first database storing data from a central office, and data from a second database storing data from a distribution center.

Abstract: An example adjustable truck compartment is described. The truck compartment includes a first side wall including a first guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a second side wall disposed opposite from the first side wall, the second side wall including a second guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the second side wall. The truck compartment includes a rear wall coupled to the distal ends of the first and second side walls to define an enclosure between the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall. The truck compartment includes a first divider panel configured to be received by the first and second guiding rails and within the enclosure in an orientation parallel to a floor of the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first enclosure volume and a second enclosure volume.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a transportation staffing management system. An amount of transportations miles are forecasted for delivering inventory from a distribution enter to a store based on a sales forecast for a store. Non-driving time for drivers engaged in delivering inventory to a store is tracked based on data collected in real-time from mobile computing devices associated with delivery vehicles. An amount of time needed to deliver the inventory based on the forecasted amount of transportation miles and non-driving is calculated. An optimal transportation workload is generated for the distribution center based on the amount of time, data from a first database storing data from a central office, and data from a second database storing data from a distribution center.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of enabling consumers to purchase substitute products when the products ordered by the consumers are out of stock include processing an internet order for a product received from a consumer in a geographic location and in response to receiving an electronic notification indicating that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at a retail sales facility associated with the geographic location of the consumer, generating an electronic message including an indication that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at the retail sales facility, and including a selection option of at least one substitute product for the product ordered by the consumer. The methods and system further include transmitting the electronic message from the electronic inventory management device at the retail sales facility to an electronic computing device of the consumer.

Abstract: An example adjustable truck compartment is described. The truck compartment includes a first side wall including a first guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a second side wall disposed opposite from the first side wall, the second side wall including a second guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the second side wall. The truck compartment includes a rear wall coupled to the distal ends of the first and second side walls to define an enclosure between the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall. The truck compartment includes a first divider panel configured to be received by the first and second guiding rails and within the enclosure in an orientation parallel to a floor of the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first enclosure volume and a second enclosure volume.

Abstract: An example adjustable truck compartment is described. The truck compartment includes a first side wall including a first guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a second side wall disposed opposite from the first side wall, the second side wall including a second guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the second side wall. The truck compartment includes a rear wall coupled to the distal ends of the first and second side walls to define an enclosure between the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall. The truck compartment includes a first divider panel configured to be received by the first and second guiding rails and within the enclosure in an orientation parallel to a floor of the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first enclosure volume and a second enclosure volume.

Abstract: A server system tracks purchases by a user of consumable items. Notifications of use of an appliance using a consumable item are received and an estimated amount of the consumable item is decremented in response to the notification. A consumption rate is determined based on the notifications and an expected runout date is calculated. Delivery of the consumable items is then invoked on or before the runout date. The appliance may include, for example, be a network-enabled washing machine that reports loads washed, a refrigerator that detects items removed therefrom, a coffee maker that reports cups of coffee prepared.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to enable product deliveries based on an interruption condition, comprising: a delivery scheduling system; a cancellation system; and a time reserving system; wherein the delivery scheduling system comprises a delivery scheduling control circuit configured identify that a delivery interruption condition exists for a delivery day; the cancellation system is configured to identify multiple scheduled product deliveries on the delivery day that are to be halted; the time reserving system is configured to: identify a non-interrupted second delivery day, and reserve at least a portion of the second delivery day; and block the reserved portion of the second delivery day and prevent previously unscheduled deliveries from being scheduled during the reserved portion; and the delivery scheduling control circuit is configured to reschedule a delivery of a halted product delivery during the reserved portion of the second delivery day.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that permit a customer to purchase products from a retailer and elect an option for a friend or family member of the customer to pick up the ordered products from the retail facility of the retailer associated with the geographic location of the customer. If the friend or family member of the customer agrees to pick up the products for the customer, and if the customer agrees to have the selected friend or family member of the customer pick up the products for the customer, the friend or family member is allowed to pick up the products at the retail facility associated with the geographic location of the customer. The customer is then allowed to either pick up the products from such a friend or family member or the friend or family member may deliver the products to the customer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that permit a customer to purchase products from a retailer and elect an option for a friend or family member of the customer to pick up the ordered products from the retail facility of the retailer associated with the geographic location of the customer. If the friend or family member of the customer agrees to pick up the products for the customer, and if the customer agrees to have the selected friend or family member of the customer pick up the products for the customer, the friend or family member is allowed to pick up the products at the retail facility associated with the geographic location of the customer. The customer is then allowed to either pick up the products from such a friend or family member or the friend or family member may deliver the products to the customer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to enable product deliveries based on an interruption condition, comprising: a delivery scheduling system; a cancellation system; and a time reserving system; wherein the delivery scheduling system comprises a delivery scheduling control circuit configured identify that a delivery interruption condition exists for a delivery day; the cancellation system is configured to identify multiple scheduled product deliveries on the delivery day that are to be halted; the time reserving system is configured to: identify a non-interrupted second delivery day, and reserve at least a portion of the second delivery day; and block the reserved portion of the second delivery day and prevent previously unscheduled deliveries from being scheduled during the reserved portion; and the delivery scheduling control circuit is configured to reschedule a delivery of a halted product delivery during the reserved portion of the second delivery day.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle containing items to be delivered to a plurality of target recipients at different delivery addresses also includes a mobile user interface configured to be disposed within and carried by the delivery vehicle, the mobile user interface presenting an interactive display having discrete information fields for identifying information corresponding to the target recipients, predetermined delivery windows corresponding to each of at least some of the target recipients, and actual delivery-time information corresponding to each of at least some of the target recipients.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of enabling consumers to purchase substitute products when the products ordered by the consumers are out of stock include processing an internet order for a product received from a consumer in a geographic location and in response to receiving an electronic notification indicating that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at a retail sales facility associated with the geographic location of the consumer, generating an electronic message including an indication that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at the retail sales facility, and including a selection option of at least one substitute product for the product ordered by the consumer. The methods and system further include transmitting the electronic message from the electronic inventory management device at the retail sales facility to an electronic computing device of the consumer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to improve delivery vehicles with storage compartments for items and product containers. In some embodiments, the storage compartments have a plurality of horizontally-mounted support rails mounted on opposite sides of the storage compartment to receive the product containers and retractable retaining elements disposed adjacent ends of the support rails proximate storage compartment openings to help retain the product containers. In another configuration, the horizontally-mounted support rails are movable, such that the product containers supported by the support rails permit are movable. By one approach, the delivery vehicle includes a conveyor mechanism to move the horizontally-mounted support rails.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of enabling consumers to purchase substitute products when the products ordered by the consumers are out of stock include processing an internet order for a product received from a consumer in a geographic location and in response to receiving an electronic notification indicating that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at a retail sales facility associated with the geographic location of the consumer, generating an electronic message including an indication that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at the retail sales facility, and including a selection option of at least one substitute product for the product ordered by the consumer. The methods and system further include transmitting the electronic message from the electronic inventory management device at the retail sales facility to an electronic computing device of the consumer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to loading totes. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for loading totes on shelves of racks secured inside a delivery truck including: a plurality of hydraulic lifts. Each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts comprises: a hydraulic system; a top surface; a stop mechanism; and at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor; and a control circuit configured to: access a multi-dimensional positional matrix; determine a physical location associated with a tote based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix and a tote identifier; determine a particular hydraulic lift of the plurality of hydraulic lifts based on the physical location; activate the stop mechanism to position the tote on the top surface of the particular hydraulic lift; and operate the hydraulic system to move the tote to a height of a shelf of a rack based on the physical location.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a transportation staffing management system. An amount of transportations miles are forecasted for delivering inventory from a distribution enter to a store based on a sales forecast for a store. Non-driving time for drivers engaged in delivering inventory to a store is tracked based on data collected in real-time from mobile computing devices associated with delivery vehicles. An amount of time needed to deliver the inventory based on the forecasted amount of transportation miles and non-driving is calculated. An optimal transportation workload is generated for the distribution center based on the amount of time, data from a first database storing data from a central office, and data from a second database storing data from a distribution center.

Abstract: A control circuit facilitates third-party transportation of an item via a communications protocol. The control circuit receives from a first party a communication pertaining to a first item that is to be transported and then determines an acceptable transporter performance rating metric requirement for the first party as regards the first item. The control circuit uses that requirement to filter a candidate pool of third-party transporters to thereby identify at least one candidate third-party transporter. The control circuit assigns one of these candidates to transport the first item. The control circuit later automatically assesses transportation performance as regards the foregoing assignment and automatically updates a transporter performance rating metric for the assigned third-party transporter.

Abstract: An example adjustable truck compartment is described. The truck compartment includes a first side wall including a first guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a second side wall disposed opposite from the first side wall, the second side wall including a second guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the second side wall. The truck compartment includes a rear wall coupled to the distal ends of the first and second side walls to define an enclosure between the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall. The truck compartment includes a first divider panel configured to be received by the first and second guiding rails and within the enclosure in an orientation parallel to a floor of the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first enclosure volume and a second enclosure volume.