Patent ID: 7672855

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer processor cause the computer processor to perform a method, the method comprising: receiving a set of orders that describe one or more items to be delivered to one or more facilities as controlled, the set of orders being controlled, at least in part, by one or more order requirements; accessing a transportation planning model that includes information concerning one or more modes and one or more carriers by which an order can be delivered to a facility, the transportation planning model also including drop trailer arrangement data concerning the facilities and the carriers; selectively consolidating one or more orders into one or more shipments based, at least in part, on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer arrangement; selectively assigning one or more shipments to one or more loads based, at least in part, on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer action, where a load includes a drop trailer action; and providing an actionable plan of loads for delivering the one or more shipments to the one or more facilities.