Abstract: A processor device has a CPU cooperating with an input device and an output device, under control of stored instructions, and is arranged to receive service requests at the input device, assign service requests received in successive time periods to respective batches of requests; access stored service provider data to identify available service providers from among a pool of service providers; after completing the assignment of service requests to a batch, perform a matching process to endeavour to match each service request of the batch of requests to a service provider; and for each service provider to whom a match is made, output a notification of the respective potential match from the output device.

Abstract: A processor device has a CPU cooperating with an input device and an output device, under control of stored instructions, and is arranged to receive service requests at the input device, assign service requests received in successive time periods to respective batches of requests; access stored service provider data to identify available service providers from among a pool of service providers; after completing the assignment of service requests to a batch, perform a matching process to endeavour to match each service request of the batch of requests to a service provider; and for each service provider to whom a match is made, output a notification of the respective potential match from the output device.

Abstract: Communications server apparatus (102) for managing payloads (202, 204) for transport by a vehicle (408), and methods for the operation thereof. The communications server apparatus is configured to, for a plurality of payloads of respective different payload categories (202, 204), each payload category being associated with unique vehicle capability requirements, determine (206), for a first payload of a first payload category, a value of a first payload attribute parameter indicative of a first vehicle capability requirement. For a second payload of a second payload category, a value of a second payload attribute parameter indicative of a second vehicle capability requirement is determined (208). The values for the first and second payload attribute parameters are compared (210) with payload capability data associated with the vehicle, and a comparison result is used (212) to determine a capability of the vehicle to transport both the first and second payloads.

Abstract: A processor device has a CPU cooperating with an input device and an output device, under control of stored instructions, and is arranged to receive service requests at the input device, assign service requests received in successive time periods to respective batches of requests; access stored service provider data to identify available service providers from among a pool of service providers; after completing the assignment of service requests to a batch, perform a matching process to endeavour to match each service request of the batch of requests to a service provider; and for each service provider to whom a match is made, output a notification of the respective potential match from the output device.