Software provider Advent Intermodal Solutions has released eModalPRO Data Services, a new platform to enable data collaboration between container terminals and supply chain stakeholders.

According to Advent, the platform, also known as EDS, builds upon the widespread adoption of the eModal portal in North America and helps beneficial cargo owners and their logistics partners to save time manually searching for information and planning their operations by directly integrating key data securely between all systems. The result is a far more streamlined and automated end-to-end process that eliminates searching websites, emails, phone calls and spreadsheets typically used to collect and share information about containerized cargo moving through the supply chain.

“We’ve shared container updates with key BCOs and large motor carriers for a while now via EDI, but the communication was one way and simply not fast enough for some carriers,” said Allen Thomas, CSO of Advent. “The EDS platform expands how customers can integrate the data, increases our speed of communication and enables a two-way, collaborative flow of information directly with all parties that need it. EDS gets data moving faster so that cargo moves faster.”

EDS is designed specifically for high-volume BCOs and their logistics partners, making key cargo data visible directly inside users’ operating systems. The platform offers a wide variety of options to both receive and transmit data about imports and exports, enabling all stakeholders to collaboratively share information to digitize and streamline their landside logistics operations.

Key data such as vessel arrival, terminal location, container availability/status, outstanding fees and holds, current location and other shipment and terminal information are all made available. Rather than constantly searching for updates, EDS allows container status and availability information to be communicated directly between systems so that personnel only need to monitor exceptions and possible issues.

Advent merged with the port community portal eModal in 2012 and provides technology platforms to more than 45 port authorities, container terminals and inland depots, as well as almost 100,000 users.