SAP and project44 have extended a partnership that began in 2019 with new integrations for logistics operations. The companies on Wednesday announced enhancements to the SAP Logistics Business Network that includes additional global ocean visibility and expansion of B2B connectivity for truckload and less-than-truckload freight contracting.
“With the uncertainty global companies are facing today, supply chains are at their breaking point, and logistics is what interconnects the entire process. Shippers need visibility data to steer their entire supply chain,” said Paige Cox, senior vice president and head of the SAP Business Network. “With their global network, project44 acts as the connective tissue by aggregating high-fidelity data. Combining this power with SAP Logistics Business Network, we plan to deliver global multimodal visibility.”
In December 2019, the two companies announced a joint solution that would streamline and optimize certain transportation processes, including receiving and tracking. The offering connected and automated visibility data and insight from project44 within SAP’s Logistics Business Network.
For SAP, the arrangement helped it grow its “network of networks” strategy that is based on developing partnerships with leading businesses. Wednesday’s announcement expands the offering that was previously announced.
“Supply chains are moving into a new era of logistics, requiring more collaboration and optionality across regions and modes,” said Jett McCandless, founder and CEO of project44. “In partnership with SAP, we are delivering a connected, intelligent and resilient solution that will allow global organizations to make proactive decisions across their entire supply chain.”
The two companies said the partnership will continue to grow to offer complete “end-to-end solutions across modes and geographies, including integrating rail and air visibility and expanding coverage around the world.”
Listen to Jett McCandless and Paige Cox discuss open networks
During a session at the recent American Shipper Global Trade Tech summit, Cox noted the importance of having truly open networks.
“In a true open network, both sides need to see value. They need to find that neutral ground,” Cox said.
“We need a new way to get access to that data, to get that visibility, so we can really steer our entire supply chain,” she added. “Not just my own supply chain. Not anymore.”
McCandless said COVID-19 has altered the supply chain, causing companies to reconsider their logistics operations.
“We’ve seen pharmaceutical companies that have traditionally only shipped via air freight, when there was a shortage of air freight, have to switch to ocean,” he said. “This created this new dynamic they needed: this visibility to be able to switch from mode to mode, geography to geography, to supplier.”
Project44 added expanded air and ocean visibility earlier this year.
“Businesses need a unified view of their end-to-end visibility data for a flexible and agile global supply chain,” McCandless said at the time.
Click for more FreightWaves articles by Brian Straight.
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