How Uber Freight is Using AI to Power End-to-End Logistics
Uber Freight has revealed significant advancements to its end-to-end enterprise logistics platform at its annual Deliver conference in Frisco, Texas.
The enhancements, designed to address the complex needs of the modern supply chain, include a strategic integration with Uber Direct, modular Transportation Management System (TMS) functionality and flexible procurement software.
The company, which manages nearly $20 billion in freight and partners with 30% of Fortune 500 companies, has made impressive strides in the past year.
Uber Freight's strategic milestones
Lior Ron, Founder and CEO at Uber Freight, emphasised the customer-centric approach driving these innovations: "Over the past year, we've worked closely with our shipper partners to understand their evolving challenges and anticipate their future needs.
"The progress we've made and the innovations we're unveiling are guided by these valuable customer insights."
One of the most significant developments is integrating Uber Freight's Parcel Transportation Management System (PTMS) with Uber Direct, the company's on-demand delivery-as-a-service platform. This integration aims to optimise every stage of the logistics process, offering new and faster delivery options including, same-day and scheduled deliveries.
Hany Elkordy, Head of Last Mile for Uber Freight, highlighted the potential impact of this integration: "We're confident this will deliver meaningful value to growing and enterprise shippers by speeding up their network, lowering transportation costs, improving service reliability and enhancing customer experience."
The company has introduced significant enhancements to its next-generation TMS, which is designed to be as dynamic and adaptable as the supply chains it supports. New features include an intuitive tracking portal, a simplified dock scheduler and upgraded financial management tools.
Future updates promise AI-powered search and shipment execution workflows, leveraging new forms of LLM-powered automation for increased efficiency.
Daniel Moran, Corporate Logistics Manager at Meridian Adhesives, praised the system's adaptability: "The system's adaptability to our specific needs ensures we're always equipped with the right tools to manage logistics efficiently, streamlining everything from procurement and execution to payments.
"This has not only saved us time and money but improved our overall business outcomes."
Centralise our procurement operations
In the realm of procurement, Uber Freight is expanding access to its Uber Freight Exchange: Contract platform to all shippers, while launching early access to Uber Freight Exchange: Spot for its Managed Transportation customers.
Since their launch last year, these platforms have already facilitated over $350 million in contract freight across 8,500 lanes.
Robert Chase, Director of Transportation and Inbound Logistics at Tosca, shared his experience with the platform: "Uber Freight Exchange has helped us centralise our procurement operations, allowing us to act faster and smarter in a rapidly changing logistics landscape.
"The time and cost savings we've achieved, along with the ability to grow our network and build strong relationships with our carriers, have significantly strengthened our transportation strategy and made our supply chain more efficient."
What else is new?
The company is enhancing its Insights AI tool with advanced features, including improved chat functionality for complex queries and a new KPI dashboard for real-time, actionable insights. Additionally, Uber Freight has announced its Design Partner Program, fostering collaboration between the company and its customers on products that will shape the future of goods movement.
Lior concluded by emphasising the collaborative nature of these advancements: "By collaborating with our customers, we've not only advanced our technology but empowered them to achieve greater efficiency, resilience and control across their supply chains.
"Together, we're not just navigating the complexities of modern logistics – we're redefining what's possible."
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