Method for aligning financial and logistical flows with an internet exchange portal

摘要

A method for aligning financial and logistical flows within a business to business internet exchange portal is disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of facilitating an auction on the portal between a buyer and a seller; collecting a set of shipping data for a contract entered into between the buyer and seller resulting from the auction; soliciting bids for shipping services required by the contract; receiving a set of shipping bids; and selecting a bid from the set of bids according to a predetermined set of bid evaluation criteria.