ZeKju and e-kurier Close the Gap in the Spot Market with Messenger

Real-time transparency regarding the location and status of transports, as well as the digital exchange of documents, is crucial for optimizing supply chains. This is particularly true for time-critical transports, such as those handled through the e-kurier platform. Approximately 30% of all transports in the time-critical sector are awarded through the spot market. Established digital solutions hardly cover spot transports. With the help of messenger services, ZeKju and e-kurier are now closing this gap.

(Straubing/Munich) The creation of real-time transparency regarding geo-position and status, known as “Real-Time Visibility (RTV)” in modern terms, is a core topic of supply chain digitization. RTV is the foundation for shippers and freight forwarders to make supply chains more robust and reach the next level of automation.

With the help of permanently installed telematics, freight forwarders can achieve real-time transparency for transports carried out by their own fleets and fixed subcontractors. However, there is currently a lack of (mass) suitable solutions for the approximately 30% of transports that are awarded to subcontractors on short notice in the spot market.

The Spot Market is the Achilles’ Heel of Real-Time Visibility

Telematics-based solutions require a clear assignment of which cargo is transported by which vehicle. This assignment needs robust, IT-supported processes. While these processes can be established within one’s own company or with fixed subcontractors, this is certainly not the case in the spot market. Additionally, the penetration of telematics solutions in the express sector is generally low.

Driver Apps Are Not Gaining Traction in the Express Sector

The solution to this dilemma seems simple: Provide drivers with an app to share status and geo data. A survey by e-kurier among platform users shows that this approach “doesn’t take the host into account.” 59% of all respondents stated that they primarily use messenger services to communicate with truck drivers. 35% of respondents named the phone as the most important communication channel. Telematics systems, SMS, and apps played hardly any role for the surveyed dispatchers.

Relying on the De Facto Standard of Messenger Services

e-kurier has decided to take an innovative approach. As the first freight exchange ever, e-kurier allows its platform users to use messenger services like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Viber for transport communication and data exchange. “Messenger services have effectively become a communication standard in the freight forwarding industry. The smart integration of these services saves dispatchers time and money,” says Hans Reischer, Head of Sales at e-kurier.

To achieve this goal, e-kurier has teamed up with ZeKju. The Munich-based company supports freight forwarders and shippers in digitizing communication with dispatchers and truck drivers from transport companies. The core of the ZeKju solution is that driver communication takes place in the messenger. Truck drivers do not need to create new accounts or undergo extensive training.

“We asked our platform users: Challenges in transport communication and a lack of transparency regarding geo-position and status are seen as real challenges in the spot market. We are addressing these issues together with ZeKju,” says Achim Danner, Managing Director at e-kurier.

Data Protection and Data Security are Paramount

The protection of user data is of utmost priority: Only data that is absolutely necessary for transport processing is collected. Full compliance with data protection standards also includes that data is only processed on European servers.

Photo: © ZeKju