Inbound package tracking systems and methods
The present invention discloses systems and methods for tracking packages inbound to a user. One embodiment of the invention discloses a process by which shipping information is analyzed to determine the various ways in which shippers have previously identified a consignee location. A consignee alias table is generated that lists the various combinations of consignee name and address used by shippers to identify the consignee location. Package level detail is then received from a carrier and compared against a consignee alias database to identify packages that are inbound to the consignee location, and a consignee location table is updated that monitors the status and anticipated delivery date of all packages inbound to the consignee location.
1. A method of tracking packages inbound to a consignee, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a consignee table configured to receive and store shipping data;
generating a consignee alias database for storing a plurality of data combinations, each data combination including a consignee alias name and a consignee alias address, wherein said step of generating a consignee alias database comprises:
(a) identifying one or more packages shipped to said consignee during a predetermined period of time;
(b) capturing a tracking number for each of said one or more packages;
(c) querying a manifest database with said tracking number and retrieving stored shipping detail related to said tracking number, said stored shipping detail including a stored consignee name and a stored consignee address;
(d) comparing said stored shipping data against said alias database; and
(e) adding said stored shipping data to said consignee alias database if said stored shipping data includes a consignee name and consignee address not already stored in said consignee alias database;
capturing current shipping detail about a package in transit, said current shipping detail including a consignee name and a consignee address;
comparing said current shipping detail against said alias database; and
updating said consignee table with said current shipping detail if said current shipping detail matches one of said plurality of data combinations.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
forecasting an expected delivery date of said package; and
updating said consignee table with said expected delivery date.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing an updated delivery date based upon the consignee table.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein querying a manifest database with said tracking number comprises querying a package detail database.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein updating said consignee table with said current shipping detail if said current shipping detail matches one of said plurality of data combinations.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing a consignee table configured to receive and store shipping data comprises providing a consignee table for each of said one or more receiving locations.