G-Log in joint-venture with Transonet to serve small, medium forwarders

Transonet, a Web-based services company that specializes on automating functions for small and medium-sized freight forwarders, has formed a joint-venture with G-Log, which offers software platform technology for online transportation exchanges and management.

G-Log has invested an unspecified sum of money in Transonet’s Forwarding Business Systems, which will allow forwarders to conduct booking, track and trace and other transportation-related functions, online. Using G-Log’s technology, the service is offered on an ASP basis, which means the software doesn’t have to be downloaded onto a customer’s computer server, but resides with the software vendor. Transonet also offers Gateway Logistics Services – cargo pooling for forwarders so that they can join with others online in order to negotiate lower rates with transportation providers. It also offers online financial settlement service, through HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Bank); and other finanical services through a partnership with Oracle, where Transonet effectively offers Oracle’s financial services software as part of its package.

Transonet was formed in July 2000 by Rob Parrish, former vice president of operations at BDP International, a major Philadelphia-based forwarder. He was previously a senior marketing executive for DHL International at their Brussels office.

Transonet, which is yet to announce its first customer, says its portfolio of services enables freight forwarders to simultaneously decrease the costs associated with transporting goods, while improving customer service and in-transit visibility by automating and simplifying business processes such as scheduling, tendering, transporting, and freight settlement. The company says it can offer online capabilities to forwarders too small to otherwise afford G-Log or similar scale technology.

Mitch Weseley, chief executive officer at G-Log said: “We are excited about Transonet’s opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the small and medium sized freight forwarder community. G-Log looks forward to collaboratively helping the Transonet team build and deploy a comprehensive portfolio of e-Logistics services supported by our Internet-based platform.”