The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit. A remote processor receives the documentation, stores the documentation and feeds the documentation to a load planning software for generation of advance loading manifests from the remote processor and receive them on demand. Further, a mobile data transmission device is provided for use by a driver to communicate transportation documentation, and vehicle information to the remote processor, and, in some applications, can receive instructions for en route alterations of package pickup or delivery. The documentation can reside on a server remotely accessible by customers.