project44 to offer free API assessments for carriers

The technology company driving broader usage of API connections between shippers and their carriers is offering carriers free checks on their ability to rate and track shipments.    The technology provider project44 said Tuesday it has begun offering free application programming interface assessment tests for carriers.
   The so-called Carrier API Health Check is designed to analyze the APIs a carrier uses to connect with their shipper and third party logistics services provider customers and measure how their capabilities compare to other carriers and industry averages.
   project44 has been at the forefront of a movement to drive carrier integrations between shippers and carriers away from electronic data interchange and toward APIs.
   The check allows carriers to run a 72-hour scan to evaluate more than 15 key technical capabilities of their APIs, including the speed and accuracy of its rating, the ability to automate pick-up requests, data-tracking capability, and delivery confirmation and documentation.
   “Carriers will see what they are doing well and where they can improve based on the results of other carriers and industry averages,” said project44 Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Wally Ibrahim. “The carriers who make adjustments according to our assessment will be best equipped to increase profits, reduce the cost of billing errors or discrepancies and improve customer satisfaction through increased visibility – ultimately building their chances of success in today’s competitive market.”
   The health check precedes a new release of project44’s freight APIs, slated for January 2016, the company said.
   For more about APIs, see American Shipper’s October cover story.