System and method for providing real-time tracking of items in a distribution network

1. A system for real-time tracking of items, comprising:

a data repository in communication with a central processor, the central processor controlling input to and output from the data repository;

a plurality of item processing devices in communication with the data repository, each item processing device comprising:

a scanner configured to scan a computer readable code comprising sender identification information located on a plurality of items being processed in the item processing device to generate scan data; and

a communication system configured to communicate with the central processor of the data repository and to provide the scan data to the central processor for storage in the data repository in real-time;

an authorization entity configured to:

receive an access request from a requesting one of a plurality of senders for scan data of the plurality of items;

identify items of the plurality of items having scan data including sender identification information of the requesting sender;

provide access authorization to the requesting sender to access the scan data of the identified items;

provide a plurality of application program interfaces to the requesting sender; and

at least one data access module comprising an interface between the authorization entity and the data repository, the data access module providing a sandbox functionality defining a dedicated environment so as to allow the requesting sender to manipulate in real time, using the provided plurality of application program interfaces, the scan data of the identified items, and to generate item handling information in real-time based on the manipulated scan data.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the received access request includes sender identification information of the requesting sender; and

the authorization entity provides access authorization only to the scan data of the identified items.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sandbox functionality comprises:

sample item data or actual item data received from the data repository; and

access ability for authorized entities to sample data or actual data from the data repository, for use in applications, web sites or other programs which are available to users, senders, shippers or other entities for at least one of tracking items, receiving business intelligence, receiving performance data or generating predictive workload data.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an analytics engine configured to process item information for at least one of prediction, optimization, modeling, simulation or forecasting, so as to provide output comprising at least one of predictive workload, network and delivery optimization, cost analysis, or revenue assurance.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an analytics engine configured to:

receive a sender's manifests, including item inventories expected at a first facility;

receive, from item processing equipment at the first facility, information regarding actual incoming items from the sender;

compare the expected item inventories with the actual incoming items to determine the sender's manifesting accuracy;

provide the determined manifesting accuracy to a predictive workload module;

process the determined manifesting accuracy with manifested items for delivery to a second facility; and

provide a predicated workload for the second facility based on the manifested items and the determined manifesting accuracy.

6. A method of real-time tracking of items, comprising:

controlling, using a central processor, input to and output from a data repository;

scanning, using a scanning device, a computer readable code comprising sender identification information located on a plurality of items being processed in an item processing device;

generating, in the scanning device, scan data from the scanned computer readable code;

communicating, via a communication system, the scan data to the central processor for storage in the data repository in real time;

receiving, in an authorization entity, from a requesting one of a plurality of senders, an access request for scan data of the plurality of items;

identifying, via the authorization entity, items of the plurality of items having scan data including sender identification information of the requesting sender;

providing to the requesting sender, via the authorization entity, access to the scan data of the identified items;

providing to the requesting sender, via the authorization entity, access authorization to the scan data of the identified items;

providing, via the authorization entity, a plurality of application program interfaces to the requesting sender;

providing to the requesting sender, via a data access module in communication with the central processor and the authentication entity, a sandbox functionality defining a dedicated environment, wherein, within the dedicated environment the requesting sender can manipulate the scan data of the identified items in real time via the data access module, and using the provided application program interfaces in the dedicated environment; and

generating, via the data access module, item handling information based on the manipulated scan data.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:

the received access request includes sender identification information of the requesting sender; and

wherein providing to the requesting sender, via the authorization entity, access to the identified scan data comprises providing access only to scan data of the identified items.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the sandbox functionality comprises:

sample item data or actual item data received from the data repository; and

access available for authorized entities to sample data or actual data from the data repository, for use in applications, web sites or other programs which are available to users, senders, shippers or other entities for at least one of tracking items, receiving business intelligence, receiving performance data or generating predictive workload data.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

processing, via an analytics engine, item information for at least one of prediction, optimization, modeling, simulation or forecasting; and

providing output comprising at least one of predictive workload, network and delivery optimization, cost analysis, or revenue assurance.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

receiving, in an analytics engine, a sender's manifests, including item inventories expected at a first facility;

receiving, from item processing equipment at the first facility, information regarding actual incoming items from the sender;

comparing the expected item inventories with the actual incoming items to determine the sender's manifesting accuracy;

providing the determined manifesting accuracy to a predictive workload module;

processing the determined manifesting accuracy with manifested items of delivery to a second facility; and

providing a predicated workload for the second facility based on the manifested items and the determined manifesting accuracy.