SAP Business Network for Logistics: bringing carriers into the system
The best transport planning is worth little if communication with the carrier runs by phone and email. SAP Business Network for Logistics closes this gap: shippers, carriers and logistics service providers work together over one platform, without bilateral EDI connections. The carrier gets an access, not a months-long interface.
Book a scoping callOnboard carriers without an EDI project
That's what makes BN4L interesting: small and mid-sized carriers who could never have pulled off an EDI project can be connected here in days rather than months. This makes digital collaboration possible even with the part of the carrier base that stayed analog until now.
The three building blocks
Freight Collaboration
Order and status communication between shipper and carrier. Freight orders from SAP TM go into the network, and status updates flow back into the system.
Global Track and Trace
Visibility across milestones, delays and the expected arrival. More on the page about SAP Global Track and Trace.
Material Traceability
Traceability of materials across the supply chain, from recalls to regulatory proof obligations.
Where it pays off
BN4L delivers its value in interplay with SAP TM. TM plans and assigns, BN4L runs the communication with the carrier digitally. Anyone who introduces TM and leaves out the carrier connection gives away a good part of the possible process acceleration. Conversely, BN4L rarely makes sense without solid transport planning in the background.
What we actually do
We connect SAP BN4L to your SAP TM, set up Freight Collaboration, bring your carriers onto the network and link the status feedback to your processes. Because we handle TM, EWM and the network topics from one source, the coordination between the building blocks that otherwise gets stuck between several providers falls away.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an EDI connection to every carrier for BN4L?
No, that's the heart of it. The carrier works via the network access; a classic EDI connection is not needed. This means smaller carriers can be connected quickly too.
Does BN4L work without SAP TM?
Technically there are scenarios, but it usually only makes sense with transport planning in the background. The strength lies in the interplay: TM plans, BN4L communicates.
How quickly is a carrier connected?
Much faster than an EDI project, usually within days. The effort lies more in your internal processes than in the technical connection of the partner.
Connect your carriers digitally?
We'll show you how quickly your carriers get onto the network.
Book a scoping call