Container and inventory monitoring methods and systems

Container and inventory monitoring methods and systems (10) provide detailed logistical control of containers, shipping racks and resident and in-transit inventory. The methods and systems (12) create and maintain accurate real-time records of the location (D1, D2), movement and load status factories, assembly plants, warehouses, shipping yards and freight switching facilities. Detailed data on container switching, unloading and loading activity (1306, 1307) is recorded and archived. A virtual inventory accounting is provided by tracking from customer release orders to supplier shipments and rack returns (1410).