Leading global IT firm, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recently announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), part of Transnet SOC Ltd, a freight forwarding company in South Africa.
TCS will help TPT develop an integrated online marketplace platform by connecting cargo owners, shipping lines, clearing to forwarding agents, and road/rail haulers. This platform would assist TPT by providing comprehensive logistics information to cargo owners and logistics players.
The new platform, named ‘Cargo Connect’, created by TCS will function as an online logistics marketplace, where clients can submit logistics-related requests and allow service providers to bid online. Customers will be able to select the preferred proposal and award the cargo contract to that bidder.
This will make the entire request and bid selection process completely transparent, delivering greater value to TPT’s customers. The platform will help customers remotely track the cargo at every point of the container journey and send automated alerts with critical information, whenever a cargo event occurs.
“TCS has been partnering with progressive organisations across the world to develop new technology-enabled business models that power their growth and transformation journeys,” said Sumanta Roy, Head of Middle East, Africa, and Mediterranean at TCS. “We are delighted to work with TPT in bringing to life this innovative idea, using state of the art digital technologies and agile processes, and establishing the first such marketplace in Africa.”
Sharla Chetty, Chief Information Officer, TPT said, “A major feature of this solution is a logistics marketplace which will function in the same manner as existing market platforms in the transportation and hospitality industry. Customers could tender logistics requests on the platform and allow logistics service providers to bid and potentially be selected to undertake a logistics service.”
Siyabulela Mhlaluka, General Manager, Sales and New Business Development, TPT said, “We chose TCS for, amongst other things, its deep domain knowledge, technology expertise and reputation as a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions. The new solution will help us bring all logistics players under one platform, create transparency in the industry, as well us power the next leg of our growth journey.”
Expected to be ready in 12 months, the Cargo Connect marketplace will reshape the industry and drive TPT’s growth.
