FourKites Overview
FourKites is a global supply chain visibility platform designed to provide end-to-end, multimodal visibility to its clients, predominantly serving Fortune 500 companies and other large-scale logistics operations.
What FourKites Does
FourKites enables real-time tracking and predictive analytics across the entire supply chain, helping companies to lower operating costs, improve on-time performance, and strengthen end-customer relationships. The platform leverages a proprietary algorithm to calculate accurate Estimated Time of Arrivals (ETAs) and provides comprehensive visibility into shipments across various modes, including truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), ocean, rail, intermodal, and parcel.
Key Features and Functionality
Real-Time Visibility and Predictive Analytics
- FourKites offers real-time visibility into shipments, using advanced analytics and a vast network of GPS/ELD devices to track shipments globally. This includes predictive ETAs based on multiple data points such as vessel data, geofencing, and carrier APIs.
Multimodal Tracking
- The platform supports tracking across all major transportation modes, ensuring that users have a unified view of their entire supply chain, from origin to destination.
Yard and Dock Management
- FourKites includes a yard management system (YMS) that provides real-time tracking of in-transit and in-yard freight. It also improves dock door utilization through automated appointment scheduling based on dynamic in-transit ETAs.
Order and Inventory Visibility
- The platform integrates order data, load information, yard shipments, and inventory visibility, giving users an end-to-end view of their order lifecycle. This includes order-level visibility, allowing users to track shipments by PO or SKU.
Advanced Carrier Analytics and Custom Workflows
- FourKites offers advanced carrier analytics and allows for custom workflows tailored to the needs of various stakeholders. This includes features like intelligent tracking document readers for automating tracking and smart tracking for non-traceable shipments.
Temperature and Security Tracking
- The platform provides temperature alerts and security features, which are crucial for managing perishable goods and ensuring the integrity of shipments.
Automated Appointment Management and Workflow Automation
- FourKites automates appointment scheduling and integrates with existing enterprise systems (ERP, TMS, WMS) to streamline supply chain operations. It also supports workflow automation, including dispatch and tender management, and digital document reconciliation.
Mobile and Communication Features
- The platform is optimized for mobile use, enabling frontline supply chain workers to receive real-time notifications and track shipments via their mobile devices. It also centralizes communications through an enhanced instant messaging feature, reducing oversight and error.
AI-Driven Insights and Automation
- FourKites uses AI-powered digital workers and a natural language interface called Fin AI to surface buried insights, identify optimization opportunities, and automate time-consuming tasks. This helps in proactively managing supply chain exceptions and improving overall efficiency.
Conclusion
In summary, FourKites is a robust supply chain visibility platform that offers a wide range of features to enhance real-time tracking, predictive analytics, and operational efficiency across the entire supply chain. Its integration capabilities, advanced analytics, and user-friendly interface make it a comprehensive solution for managing complex logistics operations.