Transmodal and logistics system and method

Abstract

A transmodal and logistics method, comprising generating at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using one or more different transportation modes and at least two transportation providers, and calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.

1 . A transmodal and logistics method, comprising:
 generating at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using one or more different transportation modes and at least two transportation providers; and   calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying provider rules to the at least one transportation route to ensure that the at least one transportation route conforms to the provider rules. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the at least one transportation route to conform to provider rules. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two different transportation providers comprises a logistics services provider. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cost rate comprises the sum of the cost rates for the at least two different transportation providers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cost rate comprises a profit margin cost. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising linking together transportation segments to form the at least one transportation route, each transportation segment using one of the at least two different transportation providers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting to a user an optimal transportation route and cost rate for shipping the shipment. 
     
     
         9 . A transmodal and logistics system, comprising:
 a transportation routing module generating automatically at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using at least two different transportation modes and at least two different transportation providers; and   a transportation rating module calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transportation routing module applies provider rules to the at least one transportation route to ensure that the at least one transportation route conforms to the provider rules. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transportation routing module adjusts the at least one transportation route to conform to provider rules. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the two different transportation providers is a logistics services provider. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the cost rate comprises the sum of the cost rates for the at least two different transportation providers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transportation routing module links together transportation segments to form the at least one transportation route, each transportation segment using one of the at least two different transportation providers. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transportation routing module dynamically presenting to a user an optimal transportation route and rate for shipping the shipment. 
     
     
         16 . A transmodal and logistics method, comprising:
 identifying two or more transportation routes for shipping a shipment, each transportation route comprising a plurality of transportation segments, the each transportation route using one or more different combinations of providers; and   calculating a cost rate for each transportation segment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising calculating a total cost rate for the each transportation route, the total cost rate comprising the sum of the cost rate for each transportation segment in the each transportation route. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising validating shipment information for shipping the shipment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the providers comprise third-party providers. 
     
     
         20 . A transmodal and logistics method, comprising:
 generating at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using at least two different transportation modes and one or more transportation providers; and   calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.