According to the Chicago-based firm, its cloud-based solution “helps warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities collaborate efficiently on pickup and receiving time slots, saving significant time and improving daily operations and partner relationships.”
In addition, the company describes the tool as a “highly configurable solution allows shippers and carriers to eliminate excess dwell time on site, eliminating detention fees and significantly reducing carbon emissions.”
The supply chain visibility provider writes that carrier dwell times are averaging up to 4.35 hours per day, or nearly half of a driver’s time. With regards to this, the company claims that its Slot Manager tool improves facility productivity can reduce carrier wait time by over 50%.
Described by FourKites as “highly configurable for personalised requirements”, Slot Manager enables shippers and carriers to collaborate in real time, and allows carriers to self-book their preferred time slot based on real-time transit conditions. FourKites argues this thereby eliminates hours of daily administrative work and error-prone manual processes.
The Slot Manager tool is an extension of FourKites’ Appointment Manager, which was launched over two years ago. The solution is now also available in several new Asia-Pacific markets, including Australia, New Zealand and India.
More details on Slot Manager can be found in FourKites’ official press release.
Commenting on the European release of Slot Manager, Mathew Elenjickal, FourKites Founder and CEO, said:
“We are excited to introduce the easiest, most flexible slot booking application on the market. This groundbreaking solution helps shippers across the globe optimise end-to-end visibility, efficiency and sustainability, as well as adapt quickly as their business needs change. We’re thrilled to be launching Slot Manager in Europe, specifically tailored to the needs of local facilities.”
Meanwhile, FourKites has also announced a partnership with French transportation solutions firm IER, a Blue Systems entity (Bolloré Group), to facilitate integrated implementation in Europe, driving greater efficiency for both carriers and facilities.
The partnership “combines IER’s leading standard of facility hardware technology with facility processes for automated check-in and check-out.”
This, when combined with FourKites’ “advanced data capture and processing capabilities”, means both parties’ combined pre-configured integration offers “a fast, turnkey facility solution for customers”.
Commenting on the partnership, Christophe Levy, Chief Executive Officer of IER’s Track & Trace Unit, said:
“We chose to partner with FourKites due to their globally recognised data quality and their commitment to delivering that data back to customers with actionable insights. By combining FourKites’ advanced supply chain intelligence capabilities with our leading facility hardware capabilities, we offer a seamlessly integrated solution that helps customers achieve immediate results for their business.”
The announcement from FourKites comes as the fierce battle in the supply chain visibility market continues to hot up. The release of Slot Manager comes just weeks after project44 unveiled its Yard Solutions tool, while earlier today project44 also confirmed its acquisition of Synfioo.