SAP links with project44 to improve visibility for shipping and delivery

German business software giant SAP SE will team with supply chain software vendor Project44 in an effort to help shippers manage the delivery process and let customers save time and resources, the companies said today.

The companies plan to offer a joint solution for key transportation processes, such as receiving and tracking, that will connect, automate, and provide visibility data and insight from project44 within SAP Logistics Business Network. 

SAP says its Logistics Business Network enables customers to manage logistics transactions, exchange documents with key partners, and gain transparency across the complete value chain. That platform will now be integrated with Chicago-based project44's technology, which "ingests, cleanses and normalizes" data from a wide network of global carriers.

According to the firms, the combined solution will help empower shippers to deliver more holistic and consistent customer experiences. "Shippers often struggle with little transparency across their logistics ecosystem due to volatile market conditions and siloed operations, which makes everything from staffing operations to keeping stock on shelves more difficult," Franz Hero, SAP senior vice president for Supply Chain Development, said in a release. "We want to provide shippers with access to real-time information that pinpoints their shipments' location at all times and provides dynamic, predictive delivery ETAs. This information will improve shippers' real-time decisions, to run more proactive, data-driven supply chains."

This partnership also marks the latest expansion of SAP's "network of networks" strategy of building partnerships with platforms, such as its May deal with the digital freight forwarder Uber Freight.

Project44 has also been building alliances with other tech platforms and logistics providers, including a 2017 linkup with parcel carrier FedEx Freight, and 2018 deals with freight broker and third-party logistics provider (3PL) Echo Global Logistics and with truckload, logistics, and intermodal company J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

project44 [@freightpipes] is at the forefront in delivering advanced visibility needed for smarter and more proactive supply chain decisions. Now with @SAP, that connectivity and insight is even more advanced: https://t.co/l4t3O38V58 pic.twitter.com/Ldwnb5z7TW

— SAP Digital Supply Chain (@SCMatSAP) December 10, 2019