A method and system for effectuating the optimum configuration of a duplex tracking device used to track the location and attributes of a mobile asset during a discrete event and the distribution of the data reported by the device so that the owner of the mobile asset and one or more of the owner's business partners can contemporaneously access the tracking data that they require. Each party first specifies a minimum configuration for all events with which they are associated, and then optionally specifies more extensive configurations for classes of discrete events. The owner may also constrain the data that partners can request by specifying access authorities for each class of business partners. The configuration parameters for a discrete event are systematically determined to minimize the data to be reported by the device while still meeting the requirements of all the parties, as constrained by the access authorities. Each party may then view and edit, as desired, the configuration until it is frozen prior to satellite transmission to the tracking device. The apparatus includes an internet-based program tool by which any participant can contemporaneously participate in the specification of the configuration parameters for the tracking device for a discrete event, and also access the data for events with which they are associated and generate exception reports. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile asset is a shipment container used to transport freight by ocean, rail, or road, the tracking device reports via satellite communications, the discrete event is a single shipment of goods from a origin location to a destination location, and the parties include the owner of the mobile asset (carrier), the owner of the contents (shipper), the receiver (consignee), and relevant logistics providers and regulatory agencies.