We have seen time and time again the way that open standards can have a positive impact on the progress of nearly every industry. One place we’re now seeing significant growth is in logistics. Recently, One Network, the global provider of multi-party digital network platform and services, announced the availability of the Global Logistics Gateway. This is a new solution that enables Carriers, Freight Forwarders, Orchestrators, Distributors, Custom Brokers, and Suppliers to execute the global fulfillment and transportation process from a single access point.
According to their press release, “The Gateway connects with business networks for sales, procurement, freight, and logistics services to create a ubiquitous network of networks at global scale. This offering supports interoperability between supply chain operating networks through open standards-based authentication and public API-based process orchestration to any buy/sell system or any transport management system (TMS).”
This level of open standards-based activity provides true value through collaboration. The Gateway, for example, doesn’t just focus on one function. It works across multiple enterprises and functions – automating optimized execution across the value network – which greatly streamlines fulfillment and transportation functions.
One of the main challenges supply chain management faces is in the ability to develop a viable ecosystem among manufacturers, logistics companies and all other players within the supply chain. For that to happen, they must all agree on the adoption of standards and the free exchange of documents.
Across any industry, open standards facilitate interoperability and provide a strategic advantage through enabling a networked ecosystem to have end-to-end solutions with each piece, regardless of vendor, working together seamlessly. That provides the highest level of customer requirements and satisfaction. However, to get there, organizations need to find ways to adhere to the five fundamental principles of standards development: due process, broad consensus, transparency, balance and openness. Each of these are outlined fully in our OpenStand Principles.