System and method for providing real-time tracking of items in a distribution network

A system for real-time tracking of items comprising:

• a data repository in communication with a central processor, the central processor controlling input and output from the data repository;
• a plurality of item processing devices in communication with the data repository, at least one of the plurality of item processing devices located at a first facility and comprising:
• a scanner configured to scan a computer readable code on an item being processed in the item processing device to generate scan data;
• and
• a communication module configured to communicate with the central processor of the data repository and provide the scan data to the central processor for storage in the data repository in real-time;
• at least one module in communication with the central processor, the at least one module configured to request, receive, and manipulate the scan data from the data repository in real-time, and to generate information in real-time based on the manipulated scan data, wherein the at least one module comprises a predictive workload module configured to generate an expected inventory of items at a second facility, which is different than the first facility, based on scan data received from a scan of one or more items at the first facility;
• and
• an interface in communication with the at least one module, wherein the interface is configured to provide access to the generated information in real-time.