project44 and 3GTMS partner up for real-time LTL integration

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, and 3GTMS, a Shelton, Conn.-based provider of Tier 1 transportation management software, said today they have partnered up to provide real-time full lifecycle LTL (less-than-truckload) and Volume automation services through 3GTMS’s technology platform.

The companies explained that this partnership leverages 3GTMS’s customer experience by optimizing how users secure a rate quote, analyze live transit times, execute a shipment, access real-time visibility insights, and retrieve delivery documents. And they added that 3GTMS customers will have the ability to access the entire project44 network, including more than 99% of the total available domestic LTL market and more than 70% of total Volume LTL capacity, which is done without requiring individual, point-to-point carrier integrations.   

“3GTMS and project44 did not have a previous relationship, but developed one based on customer demand,” said project44 president Tommy Barnes in an interview. “Both companies deliver a phenomenal and modern customer experience, so this partnership made a lot of strategic sense. 3GTMS users want and need rapid carrier connectivity and real-time automation, and that’s exactly what project44 delivers within their current TMS workflows.”

In describing the key customer benefits of this relationship between the companies, Barnes described it as very transparent in that it delivers a deepeer level of value from both parties.

“The global integration provides a seamless setup, onboarding and maintenance experience to 3GTMS customers by allowing users to quickly connect with the largest network of LTL and Volume LTL capacity providers through a single (and already established) access point,” he said. “Leveraging project44 is the fastest way to automate the shipment lifecycle from quote-to-invoice. This gives 3GTMS customers increased visibility into their LTL and Volume LTL transactions, allowing them to make more educated decisions with real-time data, while reducing operating expenses.” 

The project44 executive said the companies have generated very strong demand for this offering during their beta integration phase, with immediate next steps now that the global integration is built is focused around onboarding those new customers and setting them up to see immediate ROI.

Moving forward, Barnes said, both companies are committed to keeping customer needs in mind as they have built out more features and multimodal benefits that empower stronger quote-to-invoice automation and visibility.

“Our partnership with project44 strengthens the innovation we bring to our customers for rating and managing freight,” said J.P. Wiggins, vice president of logistics at 3GTMS, in a statement. “By partnering with project44, 3GTMS can provide its customers and their clients instant access to real-time data, radically improving their ability to manage supply chain disruptions, increase on-time delivery performance, and minimize carrier fees.”

Earlier this month, 3GTMS teamed up with FourKites, a provider of real-time tracking and visibility solutions across transportation modes and digital platforms for an offering that will mesh FourKites’ visibility platform with 3GTMS software. And they explained that with FourKites’ technology used to gather shipment and status and location from more than 4 million GPS/ELD tracking devices and driver cell phones in real-time, coupled with 3GTMS’s technology, this results in its customers receiving shipment visibility capabilities through location and ETA information every 15 minutes, along with things like predictive weather and traffic information in order to assess their impact on travel times.