PLANO, Texas - Transplace.com, a new Internet-based global logistics alliance formed by six of the largest United States-based transportation companies, has selected Ariba and IBM to create and operate what is expected to be one of the world's largest transportation e-marketplaces.
Transplace.com is a consortium of transportation logistics business units from Covenant Transport, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, M.S. Carriers, Swift Transportation Co., U.S. Xpress Enterprises, and Werner Enterprises.
Transplace.com, which began operations on July 1, offers a web-enabled platform to bring together shippers and carriers worldwide to collaborate on their transportation logistics planning and execution through the deployment of efficient business-to-business processes.
Since its announcement three months ago, Transplace.com's procurement membership has grown to 1,500 carriers, representing 220,000 tractors, 800,000 trailers and millions of tires.
Ariba (TM) Marketplace and Ariba Dynamic Trade software solutions have been chosen by Transplace.com as its technology infrastructure, providing browser-accessible auctions, reverse auctions, and procurement services on the Internet.
IBM Global Services will provide consulting services, web hosting and systems integration for Transplace.com's procurement system. The site will be managed by IBM at its Raleigh, North Carolina web hosting facility.
"Ariba and IBM technologies are already leading many of the world's largest e-markets and their experience will give Transplace.com a solid technology foundation to streamline our procurement process, said Dr. Jun-Sheng Li, CEO of Transplace.com.
Transplace.com, Ariba and IBM have signed a memorandum of understanding and are finalizing additional design and implementation agreements. The Transplace.com e-marketplace is expected to be operational by late fall.
