In an effort to help shippers provide more visibility over their customers' orders, logistics technology provider MercuryGate International Inc. has teamed with Convey Inc., whose technology platform helps optimize last mile delivery, the firms said today.

Cary, N.C.-based MercuryGate will integrate its transportation management system (TMS) solution with Convey's delivery experience management (DEM) software. Set to be available by early June, the combination will allow shippers to launch DEM programs that provide complete visibility through the last mile of delivery, MercuryGate said.

Once the system launches, shippers will be able to deliver customers' orders how and when they expect and will, offering in-transit insights and collaborative tools for all customer orders, providing improved service while containing costs, the company said.

@MercuryGate is partnering with @get_convey to provide winning #finalmile transportation solutions for complete #visibility. https://t.co/NmDVddEfPJ pic.twitter.com/QMbGuyLr0b

— MercuryGate (@MercuryGate) May 7, 2019

The deal is Austin, Texas-based Convey's latest move to build connections between its last-mile delivery software suite and industry partners. In 2018, Convey announced linkages with with specialized logistics service providers such as Flexe Inc., Sedlak Supply Chain Consultants Inc., and Estes Forwarding Worldwide.

MercuryGate has also been building its capabilities in providing clear visibility of freight movements for its shipper customers. In January, the company launched a customer pOréal designed to help shippers keep all of their stores, distribution centers, and other parties updated, while allowing logistics service providers (LSPs) to give their shipper customers a greater view of the location of their freight, MercuryGate said.

That growth has been fueled by MercuryGate's 2018 acquisition by a private equity firm, which promptly named industry veteran Joe Juliano as its new president and CEO. "It is critical that one have full control tower visibility throughout the supply chain, especially at the last mile," Juliano said in a release. "Integrating the Convey functionality to the MercuryGate TMS will allow the shipper to take proactive steps to address a potential disruption before it becomes a service failure by communicating with the customer. With exception management workflows, you may be able to get an order back on schedule or make alternate plans, such as sourcing the product from another location close to the end consumer."