A supply chain network (70) in which customers (72), suppliers (76), logistics providers (78), carriers, and financial institutions are all connected to a centralized supply chain server (74). The supply chain server (74) is central to a many-to-many relationship. Accordingly, the server (74) handles various management activities for each member of the supply chain, such as negotiating prices, terms and conditions, managing supply and demand, and maintaining transaction information. In the process, the supply chain server, (74) gathers significant amounts of relevant data and becomes a central repository for such information. Consequently, the supply chain server (74) is in a unique position to utilize the data for the benefit of the members of the supply chain and others.