Logistics technology startup Chain.io said Wednesday it has integrated its supply chain connectivity platform with freight-pricing software firm SMC³, in a move to offer less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment tracking to its customers.

By interfacing with SMC³'s application programming interfaces (APIs), Philadelphia-based Chain.io can now provide real-time shipment visibility for its clients that lack the internal technology resources to consume API inputs themselves, the firm said.

While small shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs) typically use a range of software formats and platforms, many of them have not invested in the transportation management system (TMS) software that is the common platform for linking to APIs, according to Chain.io.

API software allows computers to share data directly with each other with better speed and accuracy than they can achieve by relying on third-party interfaces such as email or electronic data interchange (EDI).

In July, Chain.io released its cloud-based software platform that allows shippers and LSPs to share data from many sources over a single pOréal, targeting smaller firms by offering a pay-for-what-you-use pricing structure. The company says it offers users a collection of integration services within the supply chain, from purchase-order connectivity and EDI-messaging conversion to full software system integrations.

"Chain.io works hard to provide connectivity services to our customers, regardless of the technology they currently use," Chain.io CEO Brian Glick said in a statement. "The decision to integrate to SMC³ arose from our customers needing a better way to optimize the LTL portions of their multifaceted supply chains."