Patent ID: 8260726

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining a shipping request for a low microbial (LM) bulk product, wherein the shipping request includes a requested receipt date and a product type identifier; causing at least one processor to calculate a load-out date based on the receipt date; causing the at least one processor to match the product type identifier of the shipping request to a low microbial wash (LMW) specification, wherein the LMW specification includes LMW process instructions and a LMW timing threshold, wherein the LMW timing threshold is based on a microbial baseline that indicates a microbial differential over time, the LMW timing threshold being a maximum recommended amount of time between LM washes for transport vehicles carrying the product corresponding to the product type identifier; sending a transport request to a shipping entity, wherein the transport request includes an identification of the LMW specification to facilitate implementation of the LMW process instructions and the LMW timing threshold as a conditional factor during scheduling of a prospective transport vehicle; and implementing, by a processor, the LMW timing threshold as the conditional factor during transport vehicle scheduling by comparing the LMW timing threshold against both a LMW record for the prospective transport vehicle and a transport period, the transport period beginning on the calculated load-out date and ending on the calculated receipt date, to determine whether the LMW timing threshold is projected to be surpassed for the prospective transport vehicle prior to or during the transport period.