A distributed computing system that practically applies networked computing technology and machine-readable indicia to support traceability of products from providers to clients, the system comprising:
- a plurality of distributed computers for connection over a network, the distributed computers including first, second, third, and fourth computers;
- wherein the first computer comprises a memory, and wherein the first computer is configured to (1) receive an order for a product with respect to a client and (2) store data about the order in the memory, the client having a plurality of associated client rules;
- wherein the first computer is configured to select a provider for the product;
- wherein the second computer includes a printer, the printer configured to print a machine-readable indicia to be adhered to the product or a container for the product, wherein the machine-readable indicia comprises a product identifier, wherein the product identifier encodes (1) provider information that identifies the selected provider, (2) location information that identifies a location of the selected provider, and (3) product information that identifies the product, and wherein the second computer is configured to communicate the product identifier over the network to the first computer;
- wherein the first computer is further configured to (1) associate the order with the product identifier in the memory and (2) associate the product information from the product identifier with a product type in the memory;
- wherein the first computer is further configured to associate the order with a transport identifier, wherein the transport identifier identifies an entity transporting the product from the provider to an aggregation facility;
- wherein the third computer, following a receipt of the product by the aggregation facility, is further configured to communicate an aggregation facility identifier for association with the product identifier to the first computer over the network, wherein the aggregation facility identifier identifies the aggregation facility that received the product;
- wherein the first computer is further configured to associate the order with the aggregation facility in the memory;
- wherein the first computer is further configured to associate the order with a back haul provider identifier, wherein the back haul provider identifier identifies a back haul provider for delivering the product from the aggregation facility to a distribution facility;
- wherein the fourth computer, following a receipt of the product by the distribution facility, is further configured to communicate a distribution facility identifier and a distribution location identifier for association with the product identifier to the first computer over the network, wherein the distribution facility identifier identifies the distribution facility that received the product, and wherein the distribution location identifier identifies a location in the distribution facility where the product is stored;
- wherein the first computer is further configured to (1) associate the order with the distribution facility identifier and the distribution location identifier, (2) determine whether the location identified by the distribution location identifier is in compliance with the client rules, and (3) in response to a determination that the location identified by the distribution location identifier is not in compliance with the client rules, electronically notify the provider that a replacement of the product is required;
- and
- wherein the first, second, third, and fourth computers cooperate with each other to support compliance with the client rules and tracking of the order from the provider to the client through the transporting entity, aggregation facility, back haul provider, distribution facility, and distribution location via the machine-readable indicia and the associations in the memory.