A tool that estimates the duration required for a less-than-truckload shipment to travel from its origin to its destination. It utilizes factors such as distance, routing, carrier schedules, and potential delays to provide an approximate delivery timeframe. For example, a business shipping goods from Chicago to Atlanta might employ this tool to determine how many business days the shipment will likely be in transit.
The function assists in supply chain planning, inventory management, and customer communication. Accurate estimations enable businesses to set realistic expectations, optimize logistics strategies, and minimize potential disruptions due to unforeseen delays. Historically, these calculations were performed manually, often leading to inaccuracies. The advent of sophisticated algorithms and real-time tracking data has significantly improved the precision and reliability of these estimates.