JDA sharpens supply chain visibility tools with software partners

JDA Software Group Inc. said today it has integrated its supply chain planning and execution products with tools from technology vendors MacroPoint LLC and TransVoyant Inc., moves that JDA said will improve its ability to deliver real-time visibility of freight shipments.

As a result, shippers, third-party logistics companies (3PLs), and other users of JDA software will gain more accurate updates about the location and arrival time of their shipments, and can even receive recommendations for the best carrier, lane, or route for moving their freight from point to point, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company said.

JDA has integrated MacroPoint software into its transportation management system (TMS), giving JDA users access to MacroPoint's tools for managing and tracking their end-to-end shipments. MacroPoint's cloud-based load monitoring and tracking software provides real-time load location information by compiling data from cell phones, in-cab ELD/GPS devices, or trailer and container tracking systems, according to MacroPoint.

Cleveland-based MacroPoint's software is also integrated with TMS products from vendors such as MercuryGate International Inc. and with other freight tracking software providers such as 10-4 Systems Inc.

In the other update, JDA said it has expanded its application of technology from TransVoyant, a big-data analytics firm based in Alexandria, Va., that first announced a partnership with JDA's TMS platform in 2016. JDA will now add capabilities from TransVoyant to its JDA Demand, JDA Manufacturing Planning, and JDA Fulfillment products.

TransVoyant's system works by analyzing the underlying mathematics of global freight flow to discover inefficient links and recommend better paths, the company said. TransVoyant software analyzes data collected from sensors, radar, smartphones, satellites, GPS, video cameras, and other devices to produce live and predictive insights about supply chain performance.

By pulling information from sources as diverse as weather, news, local events, social media, and natural-disaster information, the system produces conclusions such as highly accurate predicted times of arrival; prescriptive recommendations for carrier, lane, or route selection; and alerts about the progress of at-risk orders, TransVoyant said.

"Real-time visibility is a crucial element of an advanced, end-to-end supply chain visibility strategy and we have been working with TransVoyant over the last year to integrate their powerful capabilities into the JDA Transportation Management portfolio," Fabrizio Brasca, JDA's vice president, solution strategy, Intelligent Fulfillment, said in a statement. "Now, we are extending these capabilities across JDA's forecasting, replenishment, and manufacturing solutions to help customers sync planning resources and inventory with market and supplier activity."