How Kuehne+Nagel is Boosting Customer Visibility

Kuehne+Nagel has partnered with Chorusview Inc. to build a globally available smart label reader network, which can connect to more than 100 million devices.

Kuehne+Nagel’s Road Customer Visibility platform transmits label data to the cloud, where AI can deliver actionable shipment insights for customers.

This new platform will increase efficiency and customer satisfaction around the world.

Technological transformation

Keuhne+Nagel is one of the world's leading logistics providers, using its global network, logistics expertise and data-based insights to offer end-to-end supply chain solutions for global companies. It has almost 1,300 sites across approximately 100 countries, placing itself as a strong provider of air and sea logistics, as well as road and contract logistics.

It has partnered with Chorusview Inc., a spin-off of Alphabet’s X Moonshot Factory, in its latest move to increase efficiency for clients around the world. Chorus is a supply chain and logistics company, with a selection of orchestration tools and end-to-end visibility. Its platform helps organisations lower costs, reduce waste and improve operations.

Chorus has been developing a suite of orchestration tools which implement visibility at pallet, box and item levels. The Chorus Seeker labels capture data across settings, making this visibility possible.

The partnership was formed to build a comprehensive and globally available smart label reader network. Now, this comprises more than 100 million network-enabled devices. Kuehne+Nagel’s Road Customer Visibility platform uses these devices to deliver full visibility to its customers through actionable shipment insights.

This occurs as the devices transmit smart label and sensor data to the cloud, which is then processed by AI to deliver these insights. This creates efficient supply chain visibility, without the risk of manual errors or delays. 

"We have made meaningful progress toward our goal of establishing a widely accessible and seamless reader network that enables consistent data transmission across shipments," says Alireza Nemati, Global Head of Innovation for Road Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel.

"Item-level visibility is transforming the logistics of industries where accurate ETAs and condition monitoring are critical for effective resource management, customer satisfaction and business continuity. Real-time tracking and data-driven decision making also helps reduce waste and loss in areas like inventory management and returns logistics.” 

Supply chain expansion

Chorusview has undergone network expansion, in order to grow its global reach and impact on efficiency. Its reader network already included WIFI access points, scanning devices and corporate mobile applications, but its integration of popular third-party mobile apps has meant it can take part in more supply chain transformations.

Chorus' development strengthens Kuehne+Nagel’s item-level visibility capabilities, helping it offer more control to customers. Kuehne+Nagel’s Road Customer Visibility solutions enhance supply chain efficiency by automating workflows, immediately manage any changes, reduce product waste and keep stakeholders in the loop at all times.

The solution offers visibility at a range of levels, acting as a single source of truth and seamlessly integrating thousands of data points. Through Chorus' network, Kuehne+Nagel shows how the broad adoption of printable smart label technology can transform logistics.

“We share Kuehne+Nagel’s commitment to making supply chains more efficient and resilient through advanced orchestration,” adds Suresh Vishnubhatla, CEO of Chorusview Inc.

“Expanding our reader network marks a major milestone in this journey. It’s made possible by combining our cutting-edge technology with Kuehne+Nagel’s logistics expertise and global reach. We’re excited to scale our smart label solution further and deliver value to customers worldwide.”

Driving efficiency

Kuehne+Nagel consistently invests in cutting-edge solutions. Through this partnership, it is using trailblazing sensor technology to help elevate supply chain efficiency. The system is powered by AI and machine-learning to provide predictive ETAs at item-specific levels. This helps drive visibility and helps customers plan their time better around these product deliveries.

It uses smart alerts, helping seller and customer alike plan and enhance resource allocation. The labels also provide precise temperature readings which mean that everyone can have the confidence of controlled storage - particularly for cold chain logistics. If there are any temperature deviations, these can be quickly identified and isolated so as to prevent further issues. 

This ensures the rest of the cargo remains safeguarded and uncompromised, preventing significant product and monetary loss. The sensors can also be used to safeguard goods from damage and theft, with shock sensors identifying physical impacts and light sensors detecting box breaches. 

The real-time data increases accountability and efficiency, while reducing waste, future risks and costs.