Obtaining loads for next leg or backhaul

A method for matching transportation services with a specified demand for transportation services in accordance with capabilities and business practices of a transportation service provider providing the transportation services, the method comprising:

• using one or more computing devices to automatically determine one or more categories of transportation services met by capabilities of the transportation service provider and determining preferences of the transportation service provider using profile information stored in a data store;
• receiving information indicating availability of the transportation service provider to provide transportation services;
• using one or more computing devices to automatically match the transportation service provider to the specified demand for transportation services;
• in the case of at least one category of transportation services met by the transportation service provider, and in the case of the preferences of the transportation service provider meeting a predetermined threshold, using one or more computing devices to automatically provide push notification to the transportation service provider of the load using a pre-selected form of communication, and to provide details of information as determined by the form of communication;
• using at least one notification criterion of the transportation service provider to adjust the predetermined threshold so as to control the amount, frequency or relevance of notifications provided to the transportation service provider;
• using one or more computing devices to automatically obtain competitive bids to meet the specified demand for transportation services;
• in the case of the transportation service provider with the candidate service interest winning the bid, arranging provision of the transportation service;
• and
• in the case of the transportation service provider with the candidate service interest losing the bid, repeating the sequence of using the candidate service interest to match the transportation service provider to the specified demand for transportation services.

A method for matching transportation services with a specified demand for transportation services in accordance with capabilities and business practices of a transportation service provider providing the transportation services, the method comprising:

• a step of receiving information indicating availability of the transportation service provider to provide transportation services;
• a step of using one or more computing devices to automatically determine one or more categories of transportation services met by capabilities of the transportation service provider;
• a step of using one or more computing devices to automatically retrieve preference data concerning the transportation service provider and to apply at least one category of the retrieved preference data to the transportation service provider for use in combination with the one or more categories of transportation services met by the capabilities of the transportation service provider as a candidate service interest;
• using the candidate service interest to match the transportation service provider to the specified demand for transportation services;
• a step of using one or more computing devices to automatically obtain competitive bids to meet the specified demand for transportation services, and offer the transportation service provider inclusion in the competitive bids based on the candidate service interest;
• a step of, in the case of the transportation service provider with the candidate service interest winning the bid, arranging provision of the transportation service;
• and
• a step of, in the case of the transportation service provider with the candidate service interest losing the bid, repeating the sequence of using the candidate service interest to match the transportation service provider to the specified demand for transportation services.