Google and J.B. Hunt Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Transportation and Logistics Innovation

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Google and J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. have recently announced a long-term strategic alliance aimed at propelling J.B. Hunt’s digital evolution and collaborating on cutting-edge supply chain platform technologies. Through the integration of Google Cloud solutions, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools, J.B. Hunt is poised to enhance its transportation network’s efficiency within North America.

The partnership, revealed in a joint statement from Sunnyvale, Calif., and Lowell, Ark., signifies a multi-year commitment to revolutionize J.B. Hunt’s digital infrastructure and co-develop pioneering supply chain technology. By harnessing Google Cloud’s innovative capabilities, J.B. Hunt plans to expand its J.B. Hunt 360°® platform, an interconnected system for managing shipments and available capacity digitally. This expansion aims to streamline operations, increase efficiencies, and elevate transparency within the platform.

In the logistics industry, the demand for real-time data is pivotal, with customers expecting faster services and increased transparency in their shipments. Presently, carriers rely on diverse IT systems across various supply chain functions, leading to complexities in management. J.B. Hunt’s objective with the 360° platform is to consolidate data from these distinct systems, ultimately minimizing inefficiencies and streamlining operations.

Through the utilization of Google’s Data Cloud, J.B. Hunt endeavors to predict outcomes more accurately, empower users, and enable informed decision-making. Leveraging advanced AI and ML tools from Google Cloud, J.B. Hunt aims to innovate and revamp the shipping and logistics experience for shippers, carriers, and service providers alike.

Engineers and leaders from both companies will focus on three core transformational areas:

Open Cloud Capabilities for Enhanced Operations: J.B. Hunt’s multicloud strategy will incorporate Google Cloud’s Anthos, fostering a unified development and operations experience across cloud environments. This integration will enable advanced visibility into the supply chain through Google Cloud’s leading AI and ML tools, such as Cloud AI Platform, AutoML, and Recommendations AI.
Data Science for Improved Efficiency: By leveraging Google Cloud’s Data Cloud, J.B. Hunt aims to build reliable workflows incorporating data analytics, AI, and ML capabilities. This integration is expected to facilitate the creation of machine learning models and the breakdown of data silos, enabling real-time optimization and predictive analytics.
Co-Innovation to Foster Future Solutions: Collaboratively, Google and J.B. Hunt are devising an innovation framework that amalgamates the engineering expertise of both entities. This initiative aims to develop entirely new solutions, including real-time visibility and predictive modeling, over time. Additionally, through Google’s data analytics solutions like BigQuery, J.B. Hunt will establish a secure, scalable, and cost-effective data warehouse to support the J.B. Hunt 360 marketplace.

John Roberts, President, and CEO of J.B. Hunt, emphasized, “Joining forces with Google aligns with our histories of innovation and industry disruption. Powering J.B. Hunt 360 on Google Cloud propels us towards creating the most efficient transportation network in North America. We anticipate pioneering solutions that cater to transportation and logistics needs.”

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, highlighted, “Our partnership with J.B. Hunt presents a unique opportunity to transform shipping and logistics using AI, ML, and other technologies. This collaboration is poised to drive innovation for businesses and the logistics industry.”

About Google Cloud: Google Cloud offers leading infrastructure, platform capabilities, and industry solutions to empower businesses through data-driven innovation on contemporary computing infrastructure.

About J.B. Hunt: J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. is an S&P 500 company that provides innovative supply chain solutions across North America, employing technology-driven methods to optimize customer operations.

The partnership signifies a pivotal step toward revolutionizing the logistics industry, enhancing operational efficiencies, and shaping the future of transportation and logistics experiences for various stakeholders.

SOURCE: Google Cloud