Logistics software vendor project44 today released an upgrade to its supply chain visibility technology, saying the new platform offers improved cloud security and data-gathering capability.

The platform, called connectNG, includes enhancements to project44's core products, which use software tools called application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow users to quickly share data across supply networks. The approach is faster than alternative systems like electronic data interchange (EDI) or rate bureaus because APIs allow automated systems to communicate directly with one another instead of routing data through a third-party interface, the company said.

In recent months, project44 has added connections to its data-sharing network by integrating its core less-than-truckload (LTL) supply chain visibility technology with software partners such as the transportation management system (TMS) vendor McLeod Software Corp. That expansion is funded by a $10.5 million investment project44 received in September, at which time the company said it would add truckload, final-mile, and intermodal APIs to its core LTL products.

The release of connectNG supports that strategy by offering a more user-friendly interface that enables faster information consumption, reduced integration time, and improved collection of data from disparate sources, the company said.