An intermediary system for executing a delivery, the system comprising a processor and memory, the memory comprising computer executable instructions for:
- providing access to an intermediary server device via a communication network, the intermediary device being connectable to a consumer having access to a purchasing user interface via a consumer device and the network, and being connectable via the network to a plurality of carriers each having a carrier device, each carrier enabling items to be transported from pick up locations for the items to a delivery location associated with the consumer, the purchasing user interface being integrated with the intermediary server device via the network by a retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler;
- enabling, via the purchasing user interface accessed by the consumer or consumer device, the consumer to request delivery of an order comprising one or more items to the delivery location by communicating with the intermediary server device;
- determining at the intermediary server device, from the request received via the network, a delivery plan based on at least an origin of the one or more items, an availability of the one or more items, and a delivery destination;
- receiving, at the intermediary server device, via the network, real time data associated with local attributes for a geographic region associated with the delivery plan, and carrier capacity that changes over time;
- determining at the intermediary server device, an optimized delivery route for the delivery plan by:
- defining the geographic region;
- defining a plurality of sub sectors within the geographic region;
- refining the sub sectors according to the real time data associated with the local attributes affecting the corresponding sub sector to identify a plurality of traffic zones;
- and
- using the refined sub sectors to map the optimized delivery route;
- incorporating the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan;
- the intermediary server device communicating the delivery plan to the plurality of carriers via the network to determine in response multiple available delivery time windows, provided by multiple carriers, according to at least transit time dictated by the optimized delivery route in the delivery plan, respective carrier availability, and respective carrier capacity;
- the intermediary server device communicating the multiple available delivery time windows to the purchasing user interface via the network;
- the intermediary server device receiving via the network from the purchasing user interface, a selection of a particular available time window;
- the intermediary server device initiating the delivery based on the delivery plan, on behalf of the retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler, by communicating via the network with a selected one of the plurality of carriers corresponding to the selection;
- receiving, at the intermediary server device, real time location data from the carrier device corresponding to the selected carrier;
- the intermediary server device using the real time location data to refine the optimized delivery route, by rerouting the selected carrier through or away from one or more of the traffic zones in at least one of the sub sectors, according to the real time location data;
- and
- the intermediary server device sending the refined optimized delivery route to the carrier device corresponding to the selected carrier.