AU2015100894A4 - A system, server and computer readable storage medium for e-commerce order management and fulfilment - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A SYSTEM, SERVER AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR E-COMMERCE ORDER MANAGEMENT AND FULFILMENT There is provided a system (100) for e-commerce order fulfilment, the system (100) comprising: a website interface (120) adapted for communication with at least one e-commerce website (105); a packaging interface (150) adapted for communication with at least one packaging terminal (175); and a dispatch interface (135) adapted for communication with at least one delivery server (115), wherein, in use the website interface (120) is adapted to retrieve, from the at least one e-commerce website (105), order data representing at least one e-commerce order; the packaging interface (150) is adapted to receive, from the at least one packaging terminal (175), packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e-commerce order; and the dispatch interface is adapted to send, to the at least one delivery server (115), manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e-commerce order. 105 110 115 E-Commerce Supplier Dispatch Web Server(s) Server(s) Server(s) Interne 3 Web Server Supplier Dispatch 135 155 175 Interface Interface Interface 145 165 150 Data Capture Inventory Client Packaging Devic Database Interface Interface 0PitrDvc --Printer Device Fulfillment Server Client Computing 170 Device 160 Figure 1

Description

A SYSTEM, SERVER AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR E COMMERCE ORDER MANAGEMENT AND FULFILMENT Field of the Invention [001]The present invention relates to e-commerce order management, inventory management and order fulfilment systems and in particular to a system, server and computer readable storage medium for e-commerce order management. [002]The invention has been developed primarily for use with e-commerce websites and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Summary [003]The invention seeks to provide a system, server and computer readable storage medium for e-commerce order management and fulfilment which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [004]According to one aspect, there is provided a system for e-commerce order fulfilment, the system comprising a website interface adapted for communication with at least one e-commerce website; a packaging interface adapted for communication with at least one packaging terminal; and a dispatch interface adapted for communication with at least one delivery server, wherein, in use the website interface is adapted to retrieve, from the at least one e-commerce website, order data representing at least one e-commerce order; the packaging interface is adapted to receive, from the at least one packaging terminal, packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e commerce order; and the dispatch interface is adapted to send, to the at least one delivery server, manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [005]Further preferably, the system further comprises a supplier interface adapted for communication with at least one supplier server, wherein, in use the supplier interface is adapted to send, to the at least one supplier server, order replenishment data in accordance with the at least one e-commerce order, the order replenishment data representing a replenishment order. [006]The server may be adapted to employ just-in-time order replenishment.

[007]The server may be adapted to calculate when a stock level falls beneath a stock level replenishment threshold. [008] Preferably, the packaging data represents packaging weight data representing a weight of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [009] Preferably, the packaging data represents packaging volumetric data representing a volume of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [010]lIn use, the packaging interface may be adapted to send packaging label print data representing a packaging label. [011]Preferably, the server is adapted to receive, via the dispatch interface, the label print data. [01 2]The server may be adapted to send, via the dispatch interface, order dispatch data in accordance with the order data. [013]The order dispatch data may comprise at least one of volume, weight and delivery address data. [014]The website interface may be adapted to send, to the at least one e-commerce website, order status update data. [015]Preferably, the system further comprises a client computing device interface adapted for communicating with at least one client computing device. [016]The server may be adapted to communicate with the at least one client computing device in accordance with a type of client computing device. [017]For example, the type of client computing device comprises the administration, packaging, picking and customer service type computing devices. [018]The system may further comprises an inventory database adapted to store inventory data representing at least one inventory item, and wherein, in use, the server is adapted to update the inventory database in accordance with the order data. [019]The order data may comprise at least one of order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payment data representing a payment for the order. [020] Preferably, the purchaser data comprises at least one of name, telephone, email address, billing address and delivery address. [021]Presently, the payment data comprises at least one of payment status data representing the payment status of a payment for the order and payment amount data representing a payment amount for the order. [022]According to another aspect, there is provided a server for e-commerce order fulfilment, the server comprising a processor for processing digital data; a memory device for storing data including computer program code, the memory device being operably coupled to the processor; and a network interface for sending and receiving data across a data network, the network interface being operably coupled to the processor, wherein, in use, the processor is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface, from at least one e-commerce website, order data representing at least one e-commerce order; receive, via the network interface from the at least one packaging terminal, packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e-commerce order; and send, via the network interface to at least one delivery server, manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e commerce order. [023] Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface to at least one supplier server, order replenishment data in accordance with the at least one e-commerce order, the order replenishment data representing a replenishment order. [024] Preferably, in use, the server is adapted to employ just-in-time order replenishment. [025] Preferably, in use, the server is adapted to calculate when a stock level falls beneath a stock level replenishment threshold. [026] Preferably, the packaging data represents packaging weight data representing a weight of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [027] Preferably, the packaging data represents packaging volumetric data representing a volume of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [028] Preferably, the processor is controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface, packaging label print data representing a packaging label. [029]Preferably, the processor is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface, the label print data. [030] Preferably, the processor is controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface, order dispatch data in accordance with the order data. [031]Preferably, the order dispatch data comprises at least one of volume, weight and delivery address data. [032]Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface to the at least one e-commerce website, order status update data. [033]Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to communicate, via the network interface, with at least one client computing device.

[034] Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to communicate, via the network interface, with the at least one client computing device in accordance with a type of client computing device. [035]Preferably, the type of client computing device comprises the administration, packaging, picking and customer service type computing devices. [036] Preferably, the server further comprises an inventory database adapted to store inventory data representing at least one inventory item, and wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to update the inventory database in accordance with the order data. [037] Preferably, the order data comprises at least one of order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payment data representing a payment for the order. [038] Preferably, the purchaser data comprises at least one of name, telephone, email address, billing address and delivery address. [039] Preferably, the payment data comprises at least one of payment status data representing the payment status of a payment for the order and payment amount data representing a payment amount for the order. [040]According to another aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium for e-commerce order fulfilment, the computer readable storage medium comprising computer code instructions executable by a computing device and comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure a computing device to receive, via a network interface, from at least one e-commerce website, order data representing at least one e-commerce order; receive, via a network interface from the at least one packaging terminal, packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e-commerce order; and send, via the network interface to at least one delivery computer readable storage medium, manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [041]Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface to at least one supplier computer readable storage medium, order replenishment data in accordance with the at least one e-commerce order, the order replenishment data representing a replenishment order. [042]Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for employing just-in-time order replenishment.

[043] Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for calculating when a stock level falls beneath a stock level replenishment threshold. [044] Preferably, the packaging data represents packaging weight data representing a weight of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [045] Preferably, the packaging data represents packaging volumetric data representing a volume of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order. [046] Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface, packaging label print data representing a packaging label. [047] Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions adapted to configure the computing device to receive, via the network interface, the label print data. [048] Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface, order dispatch data in accordance with the order data. [049]Preferably, the order dispatch data comprises at least one of volume, weight and delivery address data. [050]Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface to the at least one e-commerce website, order status update data. [051]Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to communicate, via the network interface, with at least one client computing device. [052]Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to communicate, via the network interface, with the at least one client computing device in accordance with a type of client computing device. [053]Preferably, the type of client computing device comprises the administration, packaging, picking and customer service type computing devices. [054]Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises computer code instructions adapted to configure a computing device to store, in an inventory database, inventory data representing at least one inventory item, and further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to update the inventory database in accordance with the order data.

[055] Preferably, the order data comprises at least one of order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payment data representing a payment for the order. [056] Preferably, the purchaser data comprises at least one of name, telephone, email address, billing address and delivery address. [057] Preferably, the payment data comprises at least one of payment status data representing the payment status of a payment for the order and payment amount data representing a payment amount for the order. [058]Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [059]Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [060]Fig. 1 shows a system for e-commerce order fulfilment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [061]Fig. 2 shows a computing device on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments [062]It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. A system 100 for e-commerce order fulfilment [063]Fig. 1 shows a system 100 of computing devices adapted for e-commerce order fulfilment. As will be described in further detail below, the system 100 allows for the fulfilment of e-commerce orders, especially orders received from at least one website 105. In this manner, the system 100 may be adapted for, and as will be described in further detail below, the retrieval of order data from at least one website representing at least one e-commerce order, the interface with a supplier server for the arrangement of the supply of the e-commerce order, interface with one or more packaging terminals adapted for the package of the order, and the interface with at least one dispatch server to control the dispatch of the order.

[064]As such, the system 100 comprises a fulfilment server 140. The fulfilment server 140 is adapted for performing the various functionality described herein, especially the interface with the at least one website 105, supplier server 110, dispatch server 115 and packaging terminal 175. In one embodiment, the fulfilment server 140 is an on premises server configured with appropriate computer program code to perform the functionality described herein. However, it should be noted that the fulfilment server 140 may take on differing embodiments depending on the application, and may therefore be located "in the cloud" such as being operable across a wide area network, such as the Internet 130. [065]Furthermore, in the embodiments described herein, the fulfilment server 140 is described as a single computing device. However, the functionality described herein may equally be performed by a network of computing devices. [066]The fulfilment server 140 comprises a website interface 120, adapted for communicating with at least one e-commerce website 105 across the Internet 130. In embodiments, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to retrieve, from the at least one e commerce website 105, order data representing at least one order. In this manner, such as a periodic intervals, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to download data representing various orders that have been received via the at least one e-commerce website 105, so as to process and dispatch the orders the manner described below. [067]The website interface 120 may be adapted to interface with various website e commerce platforms utilising appropriate authentication and API access. In this manner, the website interface 120 is adapted to interface with standardised website e-commerce shopping cart software, negating the need for customization. [068]Typically, the fulfilment server 140 pulls, from the at least one e-commerce website 105, order data representing at least one e-commerce order. In alternative embodiments, the e-commerce websites 105 may be adapted to push the order data to the fulfilment server 140 either at periodic intervals also, or in substantial real time as an order is made. [069]The order data may comprise order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payments data representing the payment for the order. For example, the order data may represent that John Smith ordered a Bosch kettle having SKU 473814 $28, and that the $20 amount has been paid by credit card. The purchaser data may, over and above the name of the purchaser, additionally comprise a telephone number, email address, billing address and delivery address for John Smith.

[070]Typically payment would be processed by the e-commerce website 105 by using an appropriate payment gateway or the like. However, in certain embodiments, the fulfilment server 140 may be adapted to process a payment in accordance with the order data. [071]The fulfilment server 140 further comprises a supplier interface 125 adapted for communicating with at least one supplier server 110. The supplier interface 125 is adapted to request, from a supplier, ordered items. The fulfilment server 140 may be adapted to interface with the at least one supplier server 110 to request order items in accordance with differing warehouse techniques such as requesting items just-in-time, or only should warehoused items fall beneath a threshold level. [072]Using the example above, upon receipt of the order data from the e-commerce website 105 representing that John Smith has ordered the kettle, the fulfilment server 140 may be adapted to request, from a supplier server 110 the kettle having SKU 473814. In this manner, the supplier is able to arrange the dispatch of the kettle, or the pickup thereof. [073]Upon receipt of ordered items, the system 100 is adapted to manage and control the packaging and dispatch of the ordered items to purchasers. As such, the system 100 further comprises packaging interface 150 adapted to communicate with at least one packaging terminal 175. [074]Each packaging terminal may comprise a data capture device 155 to capture various data, including physical attribute data representing one or more physical attributes of a packaging and a printing device 160 to print labels for the dispatch and delivery of packages. [075]For example, using the above example, when packaging the kettle, the packaging terminal 175 may comprise a barcode scanner, RFID reader or the like to read a computer readable identity barcode or the like uniquely identifying the kettle or the type of kettle. For example, the packaging terminal 175 operator may scan a barcode on the kettle box such that the fulfilment server 140 is able to uniquely identify the kettle and associate the kettle with a package. [076]It should be noted that where a purchaser orders more than one item, a package may comprise more than one ordered items. In this manner, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to associate more than one order item with a packaging, each of the orders being identified upon receipt of the order item identification data from the barcode scan or the like.

[077]Furthermore, the packaging terminal 175 may be adapted to capture physical attribute data from the packaging, being especially advantageous for the purposes of the compilation of the manifest data for the delivery of the packaging as will be described in further detail below. [078]In a first embodiment, the packaging terminal 175 may comprise a weight scale adapted to measure a weight of the packaging. For example, a packaging comprising the kettle and a toaster may weigh 1276 g. In this manner, the packaging terminal 100 sends, to the packaging interface 150, the packaging data comprising weight data representing that the packaging weighs 1276 g. As such, upon compiling the manifested data, as will be described in further detail below, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to update the manifested data with the combined weight of the packages for a delivery. [079]In a further embodiment, the packaging terminal 175 may be adapted to capture volumetric data representing a volume of a package. There are various manners on which the volumetric data may be captured by the packaging terminal 175. [080]In a first embodiment, the packaging terminal 175, or the fulfilment server 140, may be configured with standardised packaging sizes with known volumes. In this manner, the operator of the packaging terminal 175 need only input the type of packaging, or scan the packaging such that the packaging terminal 175 or the fulfilment server 140 is able to ascertain the volume of the packaging. [081]Alternatively, and when non-standardised packaging is employed, the packaging terminal 175 may be adapted to allow for the measurement of a volume of a packaging. In one embodiment, the packaging terminal 175 may comprise adjustable mechanical arms adapted to slide or rotate to abut against the packaging service to ascertain the width, depth and height of the packaging. In other embodiments, noncontact measurement may be made, such as by way of laser or ultrasonic distance measurement or the like. [082]The packaging interface 150 is further adapted to allow for the printing of labels by the printing device 160 of the packaging terminal 175. The packaging labels printed by the printing device 160 comprise various human and computer readable data allowing for the delivery of packages. Such human readable data may comprise the name and address of the purchaser. Furthermore, the computer readable data may further comprises the name and address of the purchaser and the weight in the volume of the package.

[083]The computer readable data may be encoded an appropriate format, such as 2-D barcode or the like allowing for the scanning thereof, such as by a hand-held scanning device. [084]In one embodiment, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to generate label data for printing in accordance with the order data and packaging data. In a further embodiment, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to communicate, to a dispatch server 115 order and/or packaging data, so as to receive, from the dispatch server 115 appropriate label data for printing, such label data been configured in accordance with the requirement for a particular courier company or the like. [085]Once various packages have been packaged, the system 100 is adapted to allow for the dispatch thereof. In this manner, the fulfilment server 140 comprises a dispatch interface 135 adapted to interface with one or more dispatch servers 115. Typically, the dispatch servers 115 are operated by courier companies such that, by interacting with the dispatch server 115, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to arrange for the delivery of the packages. [086]In a preferred embodiment, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to compile the packaging data into manifest data representing a cargo manifest for delivery by a courier company. In this embodiment, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to compile the manifest data each day so as to allow for the daily delivery of packages. The fulfilment server 140 is adapted to compile the manifest data and submit, to the dispatch server 115, by utilising appropriate API or the like the manifest data. [087]Furthermore, the fulfilment server 140 may comprise an inventory database 145 populated with various order item data representing order SKUs, stock levels, pricing and other informational data. The inventory database 145 may be adapted for use by the fulfilment server 140 in determining when to request replenishment stock from a supplier, such as where the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to request replenishment stock should warehoused stock fall beneath a predetermined threshold. It should be noted that in not all embodiments does the fulfilment server 140 require an inventory database 145. Specifically, such inventory database 145 may be managed by each appropriate e-commerce website 105 and stock requested just in time. In this manner, the fulfilment server 145 need not necessarily track stock levels and the like. [088]In a further preferred embodiment, the fulfilment server 140 comprises a client computing device interface 155 adapted for communicating with a client computing device 170 to control the operation of the fulfilment server. Various client computing devices 170 or employed for different purposes, including administration, picking and packaging, customer service and the like. [089]In this manner, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to generate differing graphical user interfaces appropriate for each computing device 170 purpose. For example, the administration graphical user interface may allow an administrator to control various administration functions of the fulfilment server 140, such as the stock replenishment threshold, packaging label configuration, and the like and the configuration of the interface with the various e-commerce websites 105, supplies server is 110 and dispatch servers 115. [090]Furthermore, the packaging graphical user interface may be adapted specifically for a packer, including by providing an ergonomic touchscreen interface, allowing the packer to manage the selection and packaging of order items into various packages, the measurement of various physical attributes of a package, the printing of the label and the like. [091]Furthermore, the customer service graphical user Interface may comprise various information adapted to allow a customer service representative retrieve, comprehend and amend if necessary order data for various purchases. [092]In other embodiments, the fulfilment server 140 may comprise other interface types not shown in figure 1. Specifically, the fulfilment server 140 may comprise an accounting interface adapted to interface with an accounting platform to generate purchase orders, generate invoices, mark invoices is paid and the like. Computing device 200 [093]Turning now to figure 2, there is shown a computing device computing device 200. As alluded to above, the various functionality described herein may be implement in by computing device 200, such as where the computing device 200 is configured as an e commerce website 105, supplier server 110, dispatch server 115, or where the computing device 200 is configured as the fulfilment server 140, client computing device 170, or packaging terminal 175. [094]As such, the computing device 200 may comprise differing technical integers depending on the implementation. For example, where the computing device 200 is utilised as an e-commerce website 105, the computing device 200 need not necessarily comprise the display device 205. In other words, the technical integers of the computing device 200 is shown in figure 2 are exemplary only and variations, adaptations and the like may be made thereto within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein and having regard for the particular application of the computing device 200. [095]In particular the steps of the method for e-commerce order fulfilment may be implemented as computer program code instructions executable by the computing device 200. The computer program code instructions may be divided into one or more computer program code instruction libraries, such as dynamic link libraries (DLL), wherein each of the libraries performs a one or more steps of the method. Additionally, a subset of the one or more of the libraries may perform graphical user interface tasks relating to the steps of the method. [096]The device 200 comprises semiconductor memory 210 comprising volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 200 may comprise either RAM or ROM or a combination of RAM and ROM. [097]The device 200 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 265 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage media 270. The storage media 270 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks. [098]The device further comprises I/O interface 240 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The I/O interface 240 may offer both serial and parallel interface connectivity. For example, the I/O interface 240 may comprise a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar 1/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 230. The I/O interface 240 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 260 such as keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like. The I/O interface 240 may also comprise a computer to computer interface, such as a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) interface, for interfacing the device 200 with one or more personal computer (PC) devices 255, such as the packaging terminal 175 or the like. The I/O interface 240 may also comprise an audio interface for communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 250. [099]The device 200 also comprises a network interface 245 for communicating with one or more computer networks 130. The network 130 may be a wired network, such as a wired EthernetTM network or a wireless network, such as a BluetoothTM network or IEEE 802.11 network. The network 130 may be a local area network (LAN), such as a home or office computer network, or a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet or private WAN.

[0100] The device 200 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 215 for performing the computer program code instructions. The processor 215 may be a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer (CISC) processor or the like. The device 200 further comprises a storage device 230, such as a magnetic disk hard drive or a solid state disk drive. [0101] Computer program code instructions may be loaded into the storage device 230 from the storage media 270 using the storage medium reader 265 or from the network 130 using network interface 270. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded from the storage device 230 into the memory 210. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 215 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 210, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores one or more intermediate results in memory 200. [0102] In this manner, the instructions stored in the memory 210, when retrieved and executed by the processor 215, may configure the computing device 200 as a special-purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein. [0103] The device 200 also comprises a video interface to 20 for conveying video signals to a display device 205, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device. [0104] The device 200 also comprises a communication bus subsystem 225 for interconnecting the various devices described above. The bus subsystem 225 may offer parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCIe), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like. [0105] The I/O interface 240 may further be adapted for communicating with the data capture device 155 and printer device 160 of the packaging terminal 175. Exemplary embodiment [0106] An exemplary embodiment will now be provided describing a specific user case example of the system 100. However, it should be noted that this embodiment is exemplary only, and that no technical limitation should necessarily be imputed to the embodiments described herein. [0107] In this is a case example, John Smith browses to an appliance website and orders a kettle for $28 and a toaster for $14.

[0108] The appliance website is served by e-commerce website 105 which captures John Smith's name, delivery address and billing address. The website 105 also facilitates a credit card payment in accordance with credit card details input by John Smith utilising a third party payment gateway, such as PayPaTM or Stripe T M . [0109] The e-commerce website 105 operates the Magento e-commerce software. [0110] Every hour, the fulfilment server 140 executes a script that authenticates with the Magento API provided by the e-commerce website 105 to download order data. In this manner, the fulfilment server 140 downloads the order data representing that John Smith has ordered a kettle and a toaster. The fulfilment server 140 is adapted to download only the order data for which payment has been made. [0111] Upon receipt of the order data, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to implement just in time stock ordering. As such, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to ascertain the supplier for the kettle and the toaster in accordance with the kettle and toaster SKU. In this example, the toaster and the kettle are provided by the same supplier. As such, the fulfilment server 140, sends, to the suppliers server 110, replenishment data requesting stock comprising the kettle and the toaster. [0112] At the same time, the fulfilment server 140 interfaces with an accounting platform server to raise a purchase order for the kettle and the toaster for the supplier. If necessary also, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to generate an invoice for John Smith which may either be emailed to John Smith electronically, or printed using printer device 160 for inclusion in the packaging comprising John's order. [0113] The kettle and the toaster are then collected from the relevant supplier for return to the e-commerce warehouse. Upon arriving at the e-commerce warehouse, the kettle and the toaster are scanned, using a hand-held scanning device in operable communication with the fulfilment server 140, such that the fulfilment server 140 is able to update the inventory database 145 with data representing that the kettle and the toaster are now warehoused. [0114] John then phones a customer services manager of the e-commerce provider informing the customer services manager that his inputted delivery address is incorrect. In this manner, the customer services manager uses the customer service client computing device 170 to retrieve John's order and amend the delivery address accordingly. [0115] Now, the kettle and toaster are taken to the packaging terminal 175 for packaging. The display device 205 of the packaging terminal 175 comprises a packaging graphical user interface. Furthermore, the display device 205 of the packaging terminal 175 is touch sensitive, allowing the operator to interact with the display device 205 using touch gestures without the need for keyboard, mouse and the like. [0116] The barcode of the kettle and toaster are scanned using data capture device 155, such as a data capture device 155 comprising a barcode reader. The packaging terminal 175 directs the operator to group the kettle and the toaster into a single package for delivery to John Smith. [0117] Once the package has been packaged, the operator places the package on the weight scale of the data capture device 155. The packaging terminal 175 sends, via the packaging interface 150 of the fulfilment server 140, packaging data representing the weight and the contents of the packaging. [0118] The fulfilment server 140 then determines the appropriate courier for the packaging, and sends, to the dispatch server 115, the packaging data representing the delivery address and weight the packaging. Thereafter, the fulfilment server 140 receives, from the dispatch server 155 label or dispatch data for the purposes of printing a label for the packaging. Such a label is formatted and comprises information specific to the chosen courier. Simultaneously, the fulfilment server 140 stores the packaging data for the purposes of compiling the manifest data for the day's deliveries. The dispatch data may further comprising tracking number used to track the delivery of the packaging. [0119] The packaging label is then printed using printer device 160 and is fastened to the packaging by the operator. The operator then places the package on the appropriate delivery area. [0120] At 3 o'clock each day, the packages awaiting delivery are selected for delivery and scanned accordingly, again using a hand-held scanning device or the like. In this manner, the fulfilment server 140 updates the inventory database 145 to record that the kettle and toaster items have been sent for delivery and therefore no longer warehoused. [0121] Once a number of packages have been selected for delivery and scanned, the fulfilment server 140 compiles manifest data representing the cargo manifest for one or more couriers and upload the manifest data to each appropriate dispatch server 115. The courier then arranges for the collection and delivery of the packages in accordance with the manifest data. [0122] Once the package has been collected by a courier for delivery, the fulfilment server 140 is adapted to send, to the website 105, delivery data representing that Johns toaster and kettle have been dispatched. In this manner, the e-commerce website 105 is adapted to send an email or the like to John indicating to John that his package comprising the toaster and kettle have been dispatched, including a tracking number which John can use to track his delivery.

Interpretation Bus [0123] In the context of this document, the term "bus" and its derivatives, while being described in a preferred embodiment as being a communication bus subsystem for interconnecting various devices including by way of parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCle), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like, should be construed broadly herein as any system for communicating data. In accordance with: [0124] As described herein, 'in accordance with' may also mean 'as a function of' and is not necessarily limited to the integers specified in relation thereto. Composite items [0125] As described herein, 'a computer implemented method' should not necessarily be inferred as being performed by a single computing device such that the steps of the method may be performed by more than one cooperating computing devices. [0126] Similarly objects as used herein such as 'website', 'server', 'client computing device', 'computer readable medium' and the like should not necessarily be construed as being a single object, and may be implemented as a two or more objects in cooperation, such as, for example, a website being construed as two or more websites in a server farm cooperating to achieve a desired goal or a computer readable medium being distributed in a composite manner, such as program code being provided on a compact disk activatable by a license key downloadable from a computer network. Database: [0127] In the context of this document, the term "database" and its derivatives may be used to describe a single database, a set of databases, a system of databases or the like. The system of databases may comprise a set of databases wherein the set of databases may be stored on a single implementation or span across multiple implementations. The term "database" is also not limited to refer to a certain database format rather may refer to any database format. For example, database formats may include MySQL, MySQLi , XML or the like.

Wireless: [0128] The invention may be embodied using devices conforming to other network standards and for other applications, including, for example other WLAN standards and other wireless standards. Applications that can be accommodated include IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs and links, and wireless Ethernet. [0129] In the context of this document, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. In the context of this document, the term "wired" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices are coupled by electrically conductive wires. Processes: [0130] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. Processor: [0131] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors. [0132] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. Computer-Readable Medium: [0133] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein. Networked or Multiple Processors: [0134] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. [0135] Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Additional Embodiments: [0136] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium. Carrier Medium: [0137] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Implementation: [0138] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system. Means For Carrying out a Method or Function [0139] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. Connected [0140] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Embodiments: [0141] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [0142] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0143] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Specific Details [0144] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [0145] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Different Instances of Objects [0146] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Comprising and Including [0147] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0148] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [0149] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [0150] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (54)

1. A system for e-commerce order fulfilment, the system comprising: a website interface adapted for communication with at least one e-commerce website; a packaging interface adapted for communication with at least one packaging terminal; and a dispatch interface adapted for communication with at least one delivery server, wherein, in use: the website interface is adapted to retrieve, from the at least one e-commerce website, order data representing at least one e-commerce order; the packaging interface is adapted to receive, from the at least one packaging terminal, packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e-commerce order; and the dispatch interface is adapted to send, to the at least one delivery server, manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e-commerce order.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a supplier interface adapted for communication with at least one supplier server, wherein, in use: the supplier interface is adapted to send, to the at least one supplier server, order replenishment data in accordance with the at least one e-commerce order, the order replenishment data representing a replenishment order.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in use, the server is adapted to employ just-in-time order replenishment.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in use, the server is adapted to calculate when a stock level falls beneath a stock level replenishment threshold.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging data represents packaging weight data representing a weight of a packaging comprising the at least one e commerce order.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the packaging data represents packaging volumetric data representing a volume of a packaging comprising the at least one e commerce order.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the packaging interface is adapted to send packaging label print data representing a packaging label.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in use, the server is adapted to receive, via the dispatch interface, the label print data.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the server is adapted to send, via the dispatch interface, order dispatch data in accordance with the order data.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the order dispatch data comprises at least one of volume, weight and delivery address data.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the website interface is adapted to send, to the at least one e-commerce website, order status update data.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a client computing device interface adapted for communicating with at least one client computing device.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the server is adapted to communicate with the at least one client computing device in accordance with a type of client computing device.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the type of client computing device comprises the administration, packaging, picking and customer service type computing devices.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inventory database adapted to store inventory data representing at least one inventory item, and wherein, in use, the server is adapted to update the inventory database in accordance with the order data.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the order data comprises at least one of order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payment data representing a payment for the order.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the purchaser data comprises at least one of name, telephone, email address, billing address and delivery address.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the payment data comprises at least one of payment status data representing the payment status of a payment for the order and payment amount data representing a payment amount for the order.

19. A server for e-commerce order fulfilment, the server comprising: a processor for processing digital data; a memory device for storing data including computer program code, the memory device being operably coupled to the processor; and a network interface for sending and receiving data across a data network, the network interface being operably coupled to the processor, wherein, in use, the processor is controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, from at least one e-commerce website, order data representing at least one e-commerce order; receive, via the network interface from the at least one packaging terminal, packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e-commerce order; and send, via the network interface to at least one delivery server, manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e-commerce order.

20. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface to at least one supplier server, order replenishment data in accordance with the at least one e-commerce order, the order replenishment data representing a replenishment order.

21. A server as claimed in claim 20, wherein, in use, the server is adapted to employ just-in-time order replenishment.

22. A server as claimed in claim 20, wherein, in use, the server is adapted to calculate when a stock level falls beneath a stock level replenishment threshold.

23. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the packaging data represents packaging weight data representing a weight of a packaging comprising the at least one e commerce order.

24. A server as claimed in claim 23, wherein the packaging data represents packaging volumetric data representing a volume of a packaging comprising the at least one e commerce order.

25. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface, packaging label print data representing a packaging label.

26. A server as claimed in claim 25, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface, the label print data.

27. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface, order dispatch data in accordance with the order data.

28. A server as claimed in claim 27, wherein the order dispatch data comprises at least one of volume, weight and delivery address data.

29. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to send, via the network interface to the at least one e commerce website, order status update data.

30. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to communicate, via the network interface, with at least one client computing device.

31. A server as claimed in claim 30, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to communicate, via the network interface, with the at least one client computing device in accordance with a type of client computing device.

32. A server as claimed in claim 31, wherein the type of client computing device comprises the administration, packaging, picking and customer service type computing devices.

33. A server as claimed in claim 19, further comprising an inventory database adapted to store inventory data representing at least one inventory item, and wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to update the inventory database in accordance with the order data.

34. A server as claimed in claim 19, wherein the order data comprises at least one of order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payment data representing a payment for the order.

35. A server as claimed in claim 34, wherein the purchaser data comprises at least one of name, telephone, email address, billing address and delivery address.

36. A server as claimed in claim 34, wherein the payment data comprises at least one of payment status data representing the payment status of a payment for the order and payment amount data representing a payment amount for the order.

37. A computer readable storage medium for e-commerce order fulfilment, the computer readable storage medium comprising computer code instructions executable by a computing device and comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure a computing device to: receive, via a network interface, from at least one e-commerce website, order data representing at least one e-commerce order; receive, via a network interface from the at least one packaging terminal, packaging data representing the packaging of the at least one e-commerce order; and send, via the network interface to at least one delivery computer readable storage medium, manifest data representing a delivery manifest comprising the at least one e commerce order.

38. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface to at least one supplier computer readable storage medium, order replenishment data in accordance with the at least one e-commerce order, the order replenishment data representing a replenishment order.

39. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 38, wherein the computer readable storage medium comprises instructions for employ just-in-time order replenishment.

40. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 38, wherein the computer readable storage medium comprises instructions for calculating when a stock level falls beneath a stock level replenishment threshold.

41. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, wherein the packaging data represents packaging weight data representing a weight of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order.

42. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 41, wherein the packaging data represents packaging volumetric data representing a volume of a packaging comprising the at least one e-commerce order.

43. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface, packaging label print data representing a packaging label.

44. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 43, further comprising instructions adapted to configure the computing device to receive, via the network interface, the label print data.

45. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface, order dispatch data in accordance with the order data.

46. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 45, wherein the order dispatch data comprises at least one of volume, weight and delivery address data.

47. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to send, via the network interface to the at least one e-commerce website, order status update data.

48. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to communicate, via the network interface, with at least one client computing device.

49. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 48, further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to communicate, via the network interface, with the at least one client computing device in accordance with a type of client computing device.

50. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 49, wherein the type of client computing device comprises the administration, packaging, picking and customer service type computing devices.

51. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure a computing device to store, in an inventory database, inventory data representing at least one inventory item, and further comprising computer code instructions adapted to configure the computing device to update the inventory database in accordance with the order data.

52. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 37, wherein the order data comprises at least one of order identification data uniquely representing the order, purchaser data representing the purchaser and payment data representing a payment for the order.

53. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 52, wherein the purchaser data comprises at least one of name, telephone, email address, billing address and delivery address.

54. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 52, wherein the payment data comprises at least one of payment status data representing the payment status of a payment for the order and payment amount data representing a payment amount for the order.