project44 introduces new truckload tendering capability to its Advanced Visibility Platform

Chicago-based project44, a technology services provider offering standardized, secure Web service API (application programming interfaces) integrations enabling 3PLs and shippers to connect with carriers in real time, announced today it has added a new truckload tendering capability to its Advanced Visibility Platform.

The Advanced Visibility Platform focuses on shipment tracking and end-to-end visibility from the start of the shipping process to delivery (and beyond), as well as automation of key transportation processes, and also eliminates gaps in real-time visibility and powers users with high-quality and trustworthy Parcel, Final Mile, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Volume LTL, Full Truckload, Refrigerated, Rail and Ocean data.

The new truckload tendering capability enables project44 shipper and 3PL customers to automatically request truckload shipment quotes directly from their TMS, ERP or other system of record. And the company added that after viewing quotes, they can tender their shipment without needing to login to a separate interface. Data on the shipment can also be directly entered into the carrier’s system of record after their quote is accepted.

What’s more, it added that this removes the need for customers to have to enter the same data into multiple systems or marketplaces, which eliminates redundant manual processes, lowers the chance for human error, and simplifies the audit processes – increasing operational efficiency for shippers and carriers alike. Shippers can currently use project44 to tender truckload shipments via direct API with truckload carriers or through digital freight marketplaces.

“Our new tendering capability once again demonstrates that project44 has been built from the ground up to deliver shippers, logistics service providers and carriers end-to-end visibility on and automation of all their key shipping processes,” said project44 Chief Strategy Officer Mike Reed in a statement. “By more easily connecting shippers, LSPs, marketplaces and carriers, we are now making tendering and dispatching a shipment a much faster, more efficient and valuable experience.”

Mike Reed, Chief Strategy Officer at project44, provided LM with some additional information about this announcement. 

LM: What drove the need for project44 to roll out this new truckload tendering capability to its Advanced Visibility Platform? 

Reed: When entering in information from the tender, shippers and logistics providers were having to toggle back and forth between their Transportation Management System (TMS) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to secure quotes, and then manually enter those details back into their system of record. This wastes time on manual, redundant processes that almost always, eventually result in some human error. We saw this as an opportunity to automate the process by integrating this information across platforms – resulting in more flexibility, more efficiency and lower costs. With this new truckload tendering capability, project44 customers no longer need to enter the same data into multiple systems or marketplaces. It also helps our customers automate their full-shipment lifecycles, from pre-shipment through post-shipment activities. For example, by automating pre-shipment activities like tendering, as well as post-shipment activities like payment and audit exception (as we have done through our recent partnership with U.S. Bank) we allow our customers to streamline their supply chains from end-to-end.  

LM: What are the biggest/main benefits of this offering for project44 customers? 

Reed: The primary benefit is streamlined processes for shippers and carriers alike, and simplified audit processes and eliminate redundant manual processes for all parties involved.  By automating the tender process companies can more to easily request quotes and dispatch shipments from multiple digital freight marketplaces through their TMS, and then have automatic integration of shipment information into both the shipper’s and carrier’s TMS or carrier dispatch systems. Moreover, by automating the digital integration of tender and other reshipment into TMS and other systems of records, it improves the accuracy and effectiveness of shipment tracking, while helping automate post-shipment processes as well.  

LM: What are the biggest competitive advantages of this from a project44 perspective? 

Reed: We are offering our customers a much more streamlined and efficient experience than they could have elsewhere by eliminating the silos that required manual data entry. We are fully automating the entire shipment lifecycle. So we are giving our customers time back and more accurate information, while also enabling them to know exactly where their shipment is, and what condition it’s in, during every step of the journey. This gives them the knowledge and time they need to address the bigger picture: how can they provide more value to their own customers? 

This also ties into a key differentiator for project44 in general. Organizations can only truly digitalize if they have high-fidelity, real-time data, can easily view and analyze this data for insights, and can seamlessly integrate this data into their other systems of record. Our Advanced Visibility Platform is data-first, unlike others in this space. This approach to visibility is why new functionality like our tendering capability does not just streamline processes, but delivers our customers the intelligence they need to make smarter business decisions.