AU2016244247A1 - Delivery driver management system - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A computer-implemented method for managing delivery of orders from a store, the method comprising maintaining a delivery roster for a plurality of drivers; creating a delivery run of one or more orders from the store; assigning the delivery run to an assigned driver, the assignment being based on at least one of: a current location of the assigned driver; a delivery roster associated with the assigned driver; an estimated run completion time for the assigned driver; and/or a preferred status of the assigned driver with respect to the store; and adding the delivery run to the delivery roster for the assigned driver. N- - -- - - -------- ~ 'N N -- - - -- - - - -- -- - - - - --- - - - - -- . . . . . . . . . . .. \ \ NNN . . . . . . .. .. .. . .. . . . . .k ~ N . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . N.. . . . . .. . .. . . . . ... X 70'N NNN~~ .N ' . NN .N .N .' ..'..N. .N . N & .( .N'..NN..N -N-

Description

2016244247 12 Oct 2016 ι DELIVERY DRIVER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Field of the invention [0001] The present invention relates to computerised methods and systems for managing drivers to make deliveries. The present invention has particular application to delivery of time-sensitive products, and in particular to the delivery of food from restaurants.

Background of the invention [0002] Many restaurants provide delivery services, to deliver the food they prepare for customers. These include both large franchises or one-off small community restaurants. Other restaurants may wish to deliver their food, but may be deterred by the logistics required to manage deliveries.

[0003] Restaurants that do deliver need to retain staff to provide the delivery services. However, delivery services alone may not be sufficient for full time employment, and so such staff may either be employed on a flexible basis, have other duties (such as cleaning) in addition to their delivery duties, or may be paid only on a per delivery basis. In some cases, they may be required to provide their own delivery vehicles.

[0004] Management of delivery drivers can be challenging for any restaurant. Customers expect their food to be delivered on-time, and often quickly. However, it can also be difficult for restaurants to keep track of their deliver drivers. Furthermore, there is frequently a high turnover of delivery staff, as the retention of delivery staff is difficult due to typical working conditions. “No shows” or late cancellations are common, but it can be difficult to find replacement drivers on short notice, where there is heavy demand or if prevailing weather or traffic conditions impact delivery times.

[0005] These issues limit the restaurant's ability to manage delivery times and customer expectations. This has knock-on effects to their businesses including customer service and engagement, operational costs of managing delivery, order capacity, revenue, and ultimately profitability. 2 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 [0006] There is a need for systems which reduce or eliminate some or all of the above difficulties.

Summary of the Invention [0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for managing delivery of orders from a store, the method comprising: (a) maintaining a delivery roster for a plurality of drivers; (b) creating a delivery run of one or more orders from the store; (c) assigning the delivery run to an assigned driver, the assignment being based on at least one of: (i) a current location of the assigned driver; (ii) a delivery roster associated with the assigned driver; (iii) estimated run completion time for the assigned driver; and/or (iv) a preferred status of the assigned driver with respect to the store; and (d) adding the delivery run to the delivery roster for the assigned driver.

[0008] The method may further comprise receiving a run completion message when the delivery run is completed.

[0009] The delivery run may be created, in step (b), by enabling a user to specify orders using a user interface, and then allowing the user to group those orders into delivery runs at their discretion. Alternatively, once orders are created, they may be automatically grouped into delivery runs, by the computer system - for example, based on a requested or desired delivery time, and/or delivery addresses for respective orders. Alternatively, both orders and delivery runs may be created automatically within the computer system, without requiring the intervention of a store-based user - for example, an online order may be placed by a customer, which is received by a computer server in an appropriate format and automatically grouped into a delivery run with other order(s) for nearby customers. In some embodiments, the computer system may automatically allocate orders to delivery runs, but these allocations may be editable by the user. 3 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 [0010] The driver may be assigned by enabling a user to specify a particular driver for the delivery run, via a user interface. The user may select a driver from multiple drivers rostered on to the store at the time, including employee drivers and/or other drivers who have been contracted to perform a shift. Alternatively, the delivery run may be offered to a number of other eligible drivers, who may be within a designated geographic area, and/or may be able to meet a desired delivery time, and/or may have a designated driver rating (e.g. a minimum driver rating). The current location of the driver may be determined by determining the location of a mobile device (e.g. mobile phone) associated with the driver. The offer may be transmitted to the eligible drivers by transmitting an offer message directly to a mobile device associated with the each eligible driver, or by 'posting' the delivery run to a network location accessible by the eligible drivers, or by using geographic maps on a mobile device to indicate the stores making those offers. The offer may include detail as to the offer being made including the order, the time required for pick-up and delivery, the store details and information pertaining to the store such as its rating by other drivers. The driver may accept an offer by transmitting an accept message from their mobile device - this may be accomplished by clicking on an 'accept' button associated with the delivery run (either in an offer message, or at the location). In some embodiments, the driver may transmit a message proposing to accept the run for a proposed price. If multiple drivers propose to accept the offer at different prices, the store may select a driver based on the lowest proposed delivery price, and/or on other factors such as the driver rating.

[0011] The delivery roster associated with a driver may be used to determine a driver's eligibility to accept a new delivery run (e.g. drivers with uncompleted runs may not be eligible), or alternatively may be used to estimate the delivery run completion time (e.g. by calculating the expected time to complete an uncompleted run, plus additional time to pick up and complete the delivery run). In turn, the estimated run completion time may be used to determine whether to offer or assign the run to that driver.

[0012] The preferred status of a driver may reflect that they are currently assigned to a shift for the store. During that time, they may only accept delivery runs associated with that store.

The invention may facilitate connections between drivers and stores - for example, a driver and store may make a connection. The store may then offer shifts to the driver (and other drivers connected to the store). The connected driver may accept a shift by transmitting an acceptance message back. 4 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 [0013] The location of a mobile device associated with a driver may be tracked, to help enable the store (or potentially the customer) to monitor the pick up and delivery of order(s) [0014] The invention may be applied to manage delivery of orders placed with multiple stores.

[0015] The invention may further facilitate payment of drivers, by the store. The store may allow payment to be made through the computer system of the present invention (in particular for casual or contract drivers who may select individual shifts or delivery runs), or separately from the computer system (in particular for drivers that are employed by the store). One unique aspect of the present invention is that it enables the management of both drivers on staff (who may be paid outside of the system) and 'roaming' or 'casual' drivers who may be paid through the computer system. The present invention therefore allows the management of on-staff delivery drivers, as well as providing access to a driver marketplace.

[0016] The present invention may also facilitate the management of driver details and driver compliance with legal, employer or other rules. The present invention may comprise recording license details, vehicle details and training records for each driver. The present invention may also comprise offering training courses to each driver.

[0017] The present invention may further comprise allocating a driver to a shift with the store, wherein drivers allocated to a shift with the store have a preferred status for the assignment of delivery runs. One of the unique features of embodiments of the present invention is the ability to manage both roaming drivers and 'on shift' drivers.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for managing delivery of orders, the method comprising: (a) maintaining a delivery roster for a driver; (b) enabling a driver to view available delivery shifts and available delivery runs; (c) receiving input from the driver to accept a selected delivery shift or selected delivery run; (d) transmitting an accept message in relation to the selected delivery shift or selected delivery run; and 5 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 (e) adding the selected delivery shift or selected delivery run to the delivery roster for the driver.

[0019] The available delivery shifts and available delivery runs may be filtered from a wider selection of delivery shifts and delivery runs, based on at least one of: (i) a current location of the driver; (ii) a geographic area selected or searched by the driver; (iii) the delivery roster for the driver; (iv) an estimated delivery run completion time for the driver, for a delivery run; and/or (v) a preferred status of the assigned driver with respect to a store offering one or more of the delivery shifts or delivery runs.

[0020] The invention may be performed using a mobile computing device, such as a mobile phone.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented system for managing delivery of orders, said system comprising one or more computers including: at least one processor; and at least one storage medium operatively coupled to said processor, said storage medium containing program instructions for execution by said processor, said program instructions causing said processor to execute the steps of the above method(s).

[0022] According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for directing a programmable device to perform the above method, or any of the computer-implemented methods described herein.

[0023] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below, along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be 6 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

[0024] For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

Brief Description of Drawings [0025] Figure lisa schematic block diagram of a computer-implemented system for managing a delivery of orders, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing how the representative embodiment of the invention facilitates a connection between a store and a driver.

[0027] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing how the representative embodiment of the invention enables a store to assign a driver to a delivery shift.

[0028] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing payment options provided in the representative embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing tracking options provided in the representative embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the order processing and run creation process in accordance with the representative embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 7 depicts the communications functionality provided by the representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 schematically depicts the options available in the driver app according to a representative embodiment of the invention. 7 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 [0033] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the order and run management process in the driver app, within a driver shift, according to the representative embodiment of the invention.

[0034] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the roaming order and run management process in the driver app, according to the representative embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figures 11 to 15 are screenshots from a store app according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figures 16 to 21 are screenshots from a driver app according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

System Architecture [0037] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 in which preferred embodiments of the invention may be implemented. The system includes a server 102 and at least one user terminal 104, both of which are connected to a network 106, which may be, for example, the Internet. Also connected to the network 106 are a plurality of user terminals and/or servers, e.g. 108, 110. It will be appreciated that Figure 1 depicts the system 100 schematically only, and is not intended to limit the technology employed in the servers, user terminals and/or communication links. The user terminals in particular may be wired or wireless devices, and their connections to the network may utilize various technologies and bandwidths. For example, applicable user terminals include (without limitation): PC’s with wired (e.g. LAN, cable, ADSL, dial-up) or wireless (e.g. WLAN, cellular) connections; and wireless portable/handheld devices such as PDA’s, tablet computers including Apple iPads, or mobile/cellular telephones and smartphones. These devices also may include input means, such as a mouse and keyboard, stylus or other pointing device or system, or a touch screen, to enable the users to make selections and input data. The protocols and interfaces between the user terminals and the servers may also vary according to available technologies, and include (again without limitation): wired TCP/IP (Internet) protocols; GPRS, WAP and/or 3G protocols (for handheld/cellular devices); Short Message Service (SMS) messaging for digital mobile/cellular devices; and/or proprietary communications protocols. 8 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 [0038] The server 102 includes at least one processor 112 as well as at least one database 114, which would typically be stored on a secondary storage device of the server 102, such as one or more hard disk drives. Server 102 further includes at least one storage medium 116, typically being a suitable type of memory, such as random access memory, for containing program instructions and transient data related to the operation of the valuation system as well as other necessary functions of the server 102. In particular, memory 116 contains a body of program instructions 118 implementing the method and system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. The body of program instructions 118 includes instructions for managing delivery of orders, the operation of which will be described hereafter. It should be appreciated in relation to the configuration of the server 102 that one or more of the database 114, storage medium 116, and body of program instructions 118, may be provided at a remote location (such as for a cloud computing configuration).

[0039] The user terminals may each include at least one processor, a storage medium, and program instructions for performing methods according to embodiments of different aspects of the present invention.

[0040] It should be appreciated that the hardware used to implement the method of the invention may be conventional in nature or specifically designed for the purpose. The hardware structure shown in Figure 1 is merely one possible embodiment and any other suitable structure may be utilised.

Store Device Functionality [0041] A store may access the functionality of the present invention using a store app, executing on a mobile device. The store app may be used by a staff member at a store, to manage delivery of their orders (for example, food orders). The embodiment of the invention will be described with particular reference to an app being utilised by a restaurant manager or designated person, to manage delivery of food orders received from customers.

[0042] The restaurant may have delivery drivers on staff, or may have relationships with particular delivery drivers. The store app facilitates making a connection between the restaurant and those drivers, as shown in Figure 2. The store app enables the restaurant to invite drivers to connect with them using the app. Once an invitation is sent, the driver can accept the invitation to be added to the restaurants list of drivers ("My Drivers" list). This may be a straightforward 9 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 process if the driver is already registered on the system. If necessary, however, the invite may prompt the driver to download the driver app and register as a delivery driver. Furthermore, the store app may enable the user to browse profiles of available drivers, and invite them to connect.

[0043] A connection between driver and restaurant simplifies the process of assigning a shift to that driver. Figure 3 depicts the process for assigning a driver to a shift. Initially, the restaurant can post a shift that has become available, with details of the minimum shift length and the applicable rate. For connected drivers on the "My Drivers" list for the restaurant, the driver can simply accept the shift, in which case the shift is assigned and this is recorded in the roster for the driver, as well as for the store. The present invention therefore facilitates the simple management of shifts for drivers known to the store.

[0044] However, the shift may be posted more widely, such that it may be viewed by other registered drivers as shown in Figure 3. Drivers may be filtered for eligibility based on their current location (eg. they must be within a particular geographic area), based on their current shift allocation. Eligible drivers may apply for the shift, and the store (ie the responsible staff member) may choose to allocate them to the shift. In this way, the present invention enables a store to access a wider pool of delivery drivers. This can be particularly useful in times of high demand, or when a previously assigned driver provides late notice of their unavailability. If both parties are satisfied, the app may further facilitate recording a connection between the driver and the store, so that future shifts can be assigned to that driver more easily.

[0045] Figure 5 depicts the driver tracking functionality. The store may search for a current driver location, which will be displayed on a map as shown in Figure 11. The current location of the driver is, in this embodiment, based on the location of a mobile device associated with that driver. The store may also search for a list of delivery runs currently assigned to a driver, which may in turn be displayed on the map.

[0046] Figure 6 depicts the delivery processing functionality of the store app. An order may be received by the restaurant (by telephone, website or other communication means), entered into the system and preferably allocated an order identifier. It will also have a delivery location, and may have a desired delivery time, as shown in the fields displayed in Figure 14. Once one or more orders have been entered onto the system, delivery run(s) can be created for those orders. Each delivery run contains one or more orders, and orders may be grouped into runs based on ίο 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 similar delivery locations and/or similar delivery times. The app may assist the user to group orders into runs, for example by: • performing an analysis of order delivery locations and delivery time, to propose a default bundling of orders into runs, which may be changed at the user's discretion, or • displaying the delivery locations and/or delivery times to the user, in an easily understandable way - in particular, in this embodiment, order delivery locations may be displayed to the user on a map. Once the user has grouped orders into a run, the system may display the entire run (with a proposed route) on the map.

[0047] The store app of this embodiment enables individual runs to be assigned to drivers. This may be done simply by allocating a run to a delivery driver who is on a shift with the store - such a driver can be considered as having a preferred status, for that store at that time. Alternatively, the run may be posted more widely or transmitted in a direct message to potential delivery drivers - either to a list of connected drivers on the "My Drivers" list (ie a secondary preferred status of drivers) or to a wider driver marketplace where drivers may be filtered for eligibility based on various factors.

[0048] Of particular note, drivers may be filtered based on their current geographic area (eg. the driver must be within a certain distance of the store), based on their current delivery roster (eg. the driver must not currently have any outstanding deliveries on their roster), or based on an estimated delivery time for the delivery run. These factors may be used in combination - e.g. the estimated delivery time may be calculated based on the current location of the driver, and the expected time for them to complete the outstanding run(s) in their delivery roster), as shown on the map of Figure 12. An eligible driver, who can view or is offered the individual delivery run, may accept it by transmitting an acceptance message. The delivery run can then be assigned to that driver.

[0049] It will be appreciated, from the above description, that the present invention enables a store to have their orders delivered by drivers who are 'on shift', and who may potentially be employed by the store, as well as by drivers who are 'roaming' and part of a wider driver marketplace. This flexibility in driver choice, and ability to meet variable demand, is a unique feature of the invention that provides clear advantages to stores in the management of their 11 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 deliveries.. Figure 15 depicts how a store can view and manage their delivery driver roster using the store app.

[0050] Figure 4 depicts the process for paying drivers, which can be managed through the store app. By default, the driver will be paid through the app of the present invention, at the agreed rate, for example as shown in Figure 13. However, optionally, the driver can be paid directly by the store, if both parties agree. An agreement to be paid directly can be changed, as shown in Figure 4. This functionality of the present invention is also unique, and means that the system can cater for traditional delivery driver employment mechanisms while also providing the store with access to a wider driver marketplace.

[0051] Figure 7 also depicts how a store, using the store app, may communicate (e.g. by a direct electronic message or a chat messaging service within the app, or by an SMS message service) to either a group of delivery drivers, or to individual delivery drivers.

Driver Device Functionality [0052] A driver may access the functionality of the present invention using a driver app executing on a mobile device.

[0053] Firstly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the driver needs to register on the system To do this, the driver may need to provide not only name and address details, but their driver's license details, vehicle registration details, and a photograph of their vehicle. They may also need to provide a police check record. This means that a store, looking for a delivery driver, can have confidence in the quality of drivers registered in the wider driver marketplace provided by the system. In the case of employed delivery drivers, the registration process also assists stores to meet their HR requirements in ensuring that their drivers are compliant with their legal obligations. This HR functionality may be augmented by enabling a driver to access online training modules, and earn accreditation, using the driver app.

[0054] Once a driver has registered, he or she can create their own driver profile, which may include location details, contact details, and a variety of other information that the driver can make publicly available to stores. Figure 15 displays the profile details, some of which include the information provided at the time of registration. Drivers may earn 'points' depending on their training and experience through the system, and their profile may reflect their accrued 12 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 points to show their experience and education. Figure 16 displays a screenshot from an embodiment of the driver app, showing a driver profile.

[0055] A driver may access a 'driver dashboard' through the driver app. Figure 8 displays the options that may be accessible from the driver dashboard, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. From the dashboard, the driver may choose to work on a shift for a particular store, and shift selection may be facilitated through the 'manage shifts' function as shown in the screenshots of Figures 17 and 18. This function may, for example, enable the driver to browse shifts that are available for them by store (e.g. shifts offered by a particular restaurant), or browse by shift time (e g. shifts starting at 6pm, shifts of a particular minimum length or rate etc). A driver may accept a shift (assuming they meet relevant criteria, such as being in the relevant geographic area) by transmitting a message from their mobile device, through the app, as explained previously with reference to Figure 3.

[0056] Once a driver has been assigned to a shift, they are tied to the associated store for the duration of the shift. They can start the shift, within the app, by selecting a 'Start Shift' option from the driver dash. This will enable the driver to browse, choose, select or accept runs for their assigned store, as depicted in Figures 19 to 21. The runs are then added to the driver's delivery roster.

[0057] The typical delivery process involves the driver picking the order(s) up from the store, at which point the pick up may be recorded using the driver app and/or the store app. The orders in the run are then delivered, in sequence, to the delivery locations. The driver app may enable the driver to view, on a map, the route to the store (to collect the order), and then the route to complete the run (by delivering the orders). GPS tracking of the driver may be provided, which can be displayed on the driver app to help the driver complete the run, and may also be displayed on the store app (as previously described). This enables the store to monitor the expected delivery time of a particular order, so that they can manage customer expectations.

[0058] Once each order is delivered, the driver can mark it off within the driver run, using the driver app. The driver app may facilitate electronically recording a signature at each delivery location, to verify delivery. Once all orders have been completed, the run (and all associated orders) will be marked completed, both on the delivery roster for the driver, and in the store's record for the order. The driver is then available for further delivery runs - the driver cannot commence a new run until confirming (via the app) that all orders in the last run have been 13 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 fulfilled. Once the driver has completed all assigned delivery runs, it is possible to finish their shift.

[0059] Alternatively, a driver may choose to 'start roaming', rather than start a shift. This feature gives the driver the option of taking on individual delivery runs. In this way, the present invention is unique, in that a driver has the ability to choose between accepting shifts for individual stores, or can have the flexibility of taking delivery jobs on a more ad hoc basis.

[0060] In selecting delivery runs on a 'roaming' basis, the driver may browse available runs by store, by location or by the offered rate. If they find a suitable delivery run, they can accept it (although the acceptance may be subject to store approval). Figure 10 depicts the process for browsing and completing available runs, for a 'roaming' driver.

[0061] The process for completing a delivery run that is accepted in 'roaming' mode is substantially the same as the process for a driver on a shift, which is described above.

Customer Device Functionality [0062] Although the present invention is primarily aimed at providing functionality for stores to connect with drivers and manage deliveries, it can also provided customer functionality. A customer app may be provided, for example to enable the customer to: • track their order, • monitor the expected delivery time of their order, • pay for their order and/or leave a tip, through the customer app, or • rate the driver.

[0063] The word ‘comprising’, and forms of the word ‘comprising’, when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0064] In this specification where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the 2016244247 12 Oct 2016 14 public, part of the common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A computer-implemented method for managing delivery of orders from a store, the method comprising: (a) maintaining a delivery roster for a plurality of drivers; (b) creating a delivery run of one or more orders from the store; (c) assigning the delivery run to an assigned driver, the assignment being based on at least one of: (i) a current location of the assigned driver; (ii) a delivery roster associated with the assigned driver; (iii) an estimated run completion time for the assigned driver; and/or (iv) a preferred status of the assigned driver with respect to the store; and (d) adding the delivery run to the delivery roster for the assigned driver.
2. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) receiving a run completion message when the delivery run is completed.
3. 3. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein the delivery run is created by enabling a user by enabling a user to specify the one or more orders via a user interface, and enabling the user to group those one or more orders into a delivery run.
4. 4. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein assigning the delivery run to an assigned driver comprises enabling a user to specify a particular driver for the delivery run, via a user interface.
5. 5. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein assigning the delivery run to an assigned driver comprises offering the delivery run to one or more eligible drivers, and receiving an accept message from the assigned driver.
6. 6. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more eligible drivers are selected from the plurality of drivers based on one or more of: (i) a current location of each eligible driver; (ii) an estimated run completion time for the delivery run, for each eligible driver; or (iii) a delivery roster associated with each eligible driver; (iv) a preferred status of each eligible driver with respect to the store.
7. 7. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, further comprising tracking the location of the assigned driver by tracking the location of a mobile device associated with a driver.
8. 8. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, further comprising optionally facilitating payment of the driver by the store.
9. 9. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, further comprising maintaining license details, vehicle details and/or training records for each driver.
10. 10. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, further comprising allocating a driver to a shift with the store, wherein drivers allocated to a shift with the store have a preferred status for the assignment of delivery runs.
11. 11. A computer-implemented method for managing delivery of orders, the method comprising: (a) maintaining a delivery roster for a driver; (b) enabling a driver to view available delivery shifts and available delivery runs; (c) receiving input from the driver to accept a selected delivery shift or selected delivery run; (d) transmitting an accept message in relation to the selected delivery shift or selected delivery run; and (e) adding the selected delivery shift or selected delivery run to the delivery roster for the driver.
12. 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising filtering the available delivery shifts and available delivery runs from a wider selection of delivery shifts and delivery runs, based on at least one of: (i) a current location of the driver; (ii) a geographic area selected or searched by the driver; (iii) the delivery roster for the driver; (iv) an estimated delivery run completion time for the driver, for a delivery run; and/or (v) a preferred status of the assigned driver with respect to a store offering one or more of the delivery shifts or delivery runs.
13. 13. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein the method is performed using a mobile computing device.
14. 14. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein the order relates to a food order from a restaurant.
15. 15. A computer-implemented system for managing delivery of orders, said system comprising one or more computers including: at least one processor; and at least one storage medium operatively coupled to said processor, said storage medium containing program instructions for execution by said processor, said program instructions causing said processor to execute the steps of the any one of claims 1 to 12.
16. 16. The computer-implemented system of claim 15, wherein the computer system comprises a mobile computing device.
17. 17. A tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for directing a programmable device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.