Echo Global Logistics partners up with project44 to automate LTL-based shipments

Earlier this week, Chicago-based project44, a technology services provider offering standardized, secure Web service API (application programming interfaces) integrations enabling 3PLs and shippers to connect with carriers in real time said another Chicago-based player, Echo Global Logistics, intregrated project44’s SaaS services to fully automate end-to-end management of its less-than-truckload (LTL) and Volume LTL (VLTL) shipments.

This endeavor is a major part of Echo’s build out of its proprietary TMS (Transportation Management System), leveraging project44’s API-based integration layer to achieve carrier connectivity and next-generation data standardization, according to project44.

Tommy Barnes, project44 president, said that this collaboration was driven by conversations between project44 and Echo, regarding Echo’s need to accelerate shipment visibility with its customers.

“Echo has been building out an innovative, best-in-class Transportation Management System. So, the timing was quite perfect to leverage project44’s API-based mutlimodal connectivity layer to power their proprietary TMS with real-time data, with the end goal being p44 providing end to end visibility,” he said. “The ease of use and plug and play style solution increased the capacity of Echo’s own IT team, enabling them to focus internal resources on building advanced customer-first functionality elsewhere in the TMS.”

As for how Echo will leverage project44’s SaaS solutions, Barnes explained that project44’s solutions enable Echo’s team to get real-time LTL and VLTL carrier rates and dispatch shipments without any manual intervention. And he added that they also can instantly access shipment tracking details and pull digital delivery documents like BOL, WF&I and invoices. All of these activities are accessed directly within the Echo TMS workflows, which he said translated into seamless, instant and error-free data sharing between Echo’s carriers and customers.

Looking ahead, Echo said it plans to extend project44’s SaaS solutions into other transportation modes. Barnes said Echo is looking for partners with a visionary focus that matches their own.

“The automation of LTL and VLTL activities is a first step in achieving end-to-end visibility across all shipments regardless of mode or shipment status,” he noted. “In the immediate future, Echo is looking to expand their relationship with project44 into additional modal applications. Long-term this relationship is about collaborating to develop a roadmap for supply chain digitization that will ultimately help Echo become an even more connected, innovative, and proactive provider in the future.”