Packaging handling: Ryder Issued U.S. Patent for Systems and Methods for Supply Chain Management

Ryder System, Inc. has been awarded a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for its systems and methods that integrate and optimize supply chain performance in the areas of shipment planning and execution.

The newly issued U.S. patent has been assigned the number 7,711,602 and was issued on May 4, 2010. This U.S. patent award provides Ryder with the intellectual property protection related to its Logistics Release process that improves supply chain integration and management of logistics for supply chains.

The key approach to the Logistics Release process is configuring the unique data to create a common, web-native data utility for each stakeholder in the supply chain. The Logistics Release process then creates an optimum shipment that takes into account weight, cube, packaging, stackability, pallet configuration and mode determination. The shipment receives a plan, or "Release" with the logistics information and instructions for that shipment.

The plan is created and initiated prior to the movement of goods and then all events of the subsequent movement are controlled by this plan. Whereas the physical movement requires cross docks, terminals and sequence centers, the virtual movements are monitored continually by a "Control Tower," or central office from which all movements can be monitored, tracked, and coordinated in real time.

This capability significantly improves transit time and reduces the cost of integrating multiple transportation networks. The technology also includes exception-based reporting, which identifies events that vary from the Logistics Release plan and enables alternative actions and routing, as well as measures the plan's progress against the actual results.

John Williford, Ryder's President of Global Supply Chain Solutions, said, "We are pleased to be granted this patent that benefits all participants in the supply chain. Ryder's Control Tower service helps cut inventory by improving operational execution, and now the business process supporting this service is recognized as unique. We look forward to supporting our customers with Ryder's Logistics Release capabilities."

SOURCE: Ryder System, Inc.

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