The power of two: vendors join forces to attack global transportation costs

Two software vendors—a global trade management specialist and a supplier of e-sourcing applications—collaborated on a solution that could help manufacturers better manage the costs associated with shipping goods around the world.

ByManufacturing Business Technology Staff October 18, 2007

Two software vendors—a global trade management specialist and a supplier of e-sourcing applications—collaborated on a solution that could help manufacturers better manage the costs associated with shipping goods around the world. Management Dynamics , the global trade specialist, and CombineNet , the e-sourcing vendor, announced a strategic alliance Oct. 11. The agreement calls for integrating the two companies’ systems as a means of automating the complete procure-to-pay process for air and sea freight operations.”We have been delivering successful sea and air freight sourcing projects for years, saving some of the world’s largest shippers millions of dollars,” said CombineNet CEO, Tony Bonidy. “Our alliance with Management Dynamics expands the value proposition for clients with a complete automation solution that improves efficiencies and allows them to more effectively manage global transportation providers before and after the bid award.”Contracts closed via the CombineNet solution can then be managed in the Management Dynamics transportation management solution.”Closed-loop spend management for global transportation provides the right mix of information technology and services to enable companies to get control over their freight costs in support of their internationalization strategies,” said Jim Preuninger, CEO of Management Dynamics.Industry analysts confirm the need for this combined set of solutions. “Our research consistently shows that simply managing transportation spend at the day-to-day, tactical level is no longer enough to remain competitive,” says Ian Hobkirk, senior analyst in the logistics practice at Boston-based AberdeenGroup . “This approach offers a comprehensive solution that combines the best aspects of global trade management, tactical transportation management, and strategic transportation procurement. Aberdeen research shows that Best-in-Class companies are 60 percent more likely to use these types of flexible bidding systems in their transportation procurement processes.”