Tech Bytes: E2open, Aljex Software, FourKites, UNIT45 and Globe Tracker International

Partnerships have been reached between E2Open and its customers, Aljex and FourKites, and UNIT45 and Globe Tracker.    The cloud-based connectivity and collaborative planning software provider E2open last week said a number of major international brands, including Fabricators International, Intersil and McCormick & Co., have joined the E2open Business Network.
   E2open allows companies to connect with suppliers and other supply chain partners.
   “We consider E2open to be an important partner in taking our supply chain operations to the next level to execute on our vision of implementing a market-leading supplier managed inventory program,” said Regina Fennell, senior supplier integration manager at McCormick. “Through the better communication enabled by the E2open Business Network, we’re closer to our suppliers and are equipped to reduce our on-hand inventory, which is a big win for our company.”
   E2open estimates that more than 41,000 trading partners and 140,000 unique registered users currently participate in the E2open Business Network, which allows participants to share plans and data and execute business processes in a secure, real-time manner.

   The logistics enterprise solutions provider Aljex Software and cloud-based telematics software provider FourKites have been partnering on a tool designed to help freight brokers and shippers access truck locations and status with real-time data from the industry’s largest telematics providers.
   The solution integrates carrier tracking from FourKites into Aljex’s hosted transportation management software, which the companies typically sells to third party logistics services providers and carriers.
   The partnership allows Aljex customers to access much of the same real-time truck locations and estimated times of arrival as carriers themselves through the Aljex system, the company said.
   “FourKites does not depend on a driver’s personal or company-issued cell phone and a downloaded app,” Aljex said. “FourKites has agreements with the leading telematics providers to the trucking industry, including industry giants Omnitracs and PeopleNet, among others.”

   The intermodal 45-foot container manufacturer UNIT45 has partnered with Globe Tracker International to develop a smart refrigerated container.
   The project combines data from the refrigeration unit with data collected from wireless sensors reporting condition and security variables from inside and outside the container. The companies will unveil the solution in March at an intermodal exhibition in Shanghai.