What is the purpose of configuring shipping methods in Oracle OM?

Configuring shipping methods in Oracle Order Management serves a crucial purpose in streamlining the order fulfillment process. The primary goal is to establish the criteria by which orders are shipped, taking into account various factors such as cost, speed, and customer preferences. Customers often have specific expectations about how quickly an order should arrive or how much they are willing to pay for shipping. By configuring shipping methods, businesses can align their shipping policies with both operational capabilities and customer expectations, leading to improved customer satisfaction and potentially greater sales.

This option directly addresses the need to tailor shipping options that balance efficiency and cost-effectiveness while meeting customer demands. In contrast, other options do not capture the core objective of configuring shipping methods. Calculating total weight related to an order is a different functionality that might be relevant for shipping but does not pertain to the strategic selection of shipping methods. Setting product pricing based on the shipping location involves pricing strategies rather than operational shipping configurations. Estimating delivery times without considering inventory also falls outside the scope of what shipping methods aim to achieve, as inventory levels play a significant role in determining realistic delivery promises. Hence, the focus on cost, speed, and preferences in the selected response accurately reflects the essential purpose of configuring shipping methods in Oracle Order Management.