Purpose

This position paper presents Syensqo’s strategic vision to harmonize its Transport Management (TM) landscape by consolidating multiple fragmented freight collaboration tools into a single, globally integrated solution. The goal is to streamline operations, enhance carrier collaboration, event tracking and Freight Invoicing.

Vision

The simplification of the multiple fragmented and not integrated freight collaboration tools to one Global integrated platform.

Scope

The scope of this initiative covers the transition from several regional and mode-specific TM tools to one unified platform. Specifically, it includes:

As-Is Landscape


FunctionalityApplicationGBUModeRegionMiddleware
Carrier CollaborationTranswidePerformance and CareRoad (incl. Drayage)EuropewebMethods
Track and TraceProject 44Performance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsOcean (Full Container Load)GlobalSAP Process Integration
External TMSBluJayPerformance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsAll ModesUSA & CanadawebMethods
Freight Audit & InvoicingCASSPerformance & Care, Composite MaterialsAll ModesUSA & CanadawebMethods
Container TrackingOvintoSpecialty PolymersContainers (Road, Rail)EuropewebMethods & SAP Process Integration
Site LogisticsSelfy CorePerformance and CareRoadEuropeFile Transfer
Site LogisticsSimba/FocusolSpecialty PolymersRoadFrancewebMethods & Direct Integration
Rail TrackingBourquePerformance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsRailUSANo Integration


Analysis: 

As illustrated in the diagram and table above, the processes for Carrier Collaboration, TMS activities, and Freight Invoicing are highly fragmented. Specifically:

This fragmentation highlights the lack of a unified approach across regions and GBUs, which may impact efficiency and consistency.

To- Be Landscape


FunctionalityApplicationGBUModeRegionMiddleware
Carrier CollaborationBN4LPerformance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsAllGlobalSAP Integration Suite (CPI)
Track and TraceGTT + Project 44Performance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsOcean (Full Container Load)Global SAP Integration Suite (CPI)
External TMSTMS4SPerformance & Care, Specialty PolymersRoadUSA & Canada SAP Integration Suite (CPI)
Freight Audit & InvoicingCASSPerformance & Care, Specialty PolymersRoadUSA & Canada SAP Integration Suite (CPI)
Container TrackingOvintoSpecialty PolymersContainers (Road, Rail)Europe SAP Integration Suite (CPI)
Site LogisticsSelfy CorePerformance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsRoadGlobal SAP Integration Suite (CPI)
Site LogisticsSimba/FocusolSpecialty PolymersRoadFranceSAP Integration Suite (CPI)
Rail TrackingBourquePerformance & Care, Specialty Polymers, Composite MaterialsRailUSA No Integration


Analysis:

As shown in the diagram and table above:


The Following Functionalities are covered as part of Carrier Collaboration

    1. Transport Booking
    2. Carrier confirmation/ rejection
    3. Slot Booking

SAP BN4L will be the Global Primary Solution for Carrier Collaboration in SyWay to-be Landscape for all modes of transport and for all GBUs.

The Only exception to this is that TMS4S will be used for  Performance & Care, Specialty Polymers in the region of USA & Canada. The decision to keep TMS4S (the upgraded version of BluJay) active in the future landscape for two GBUs was made to ensure business continuity. This decision was reached after a detailed analysis conducted in collaboration with business users

Note: Composites will use BN4L globally, including in the USA and Canada. In the current state ("As-Is"), CM was connected to BluJay; however, it was never used productively.

Note: BN4L can also directly connect for Carrier Collaboration with Carrier via EDI or API. Any such requirement of direct connect between Carrier system and BN4L will be assessed as part of the Carrier onboarding activity. 



Current State (As-Is)

Future State (To-Be)

Key Benefits


The Following Functionalities are covered as part of Track and Trace

    1. Milestone tracking of event after truck/rail/vessel during transit e.g.. departure, arrival , delay , damage etc. 

For Ocean(FCL) the track and trace will be done via Movement by project44, which is the same as the As-Is scenario. However the key change here currently P44 is directly integrate to the SAP ECC system, however in Future state it will be connected to BN4L and BN4L will in turn send the track and trace data to S/4 HANA, making it seamless connectivity with one application BN4L 

For All other modes of transport Globally the track and trace will be done via BN4L directly, i.e. Carrier can Log events via BN4L web portal. Exception: for Road Mode of transport in USA & Canada for Performance & Care, Specialty Polymers will be done via TMS4S

Note: BN4L can also directly connect for track and trace with Carrier via EDI or API. Any such requirement of direct connect between Carrier system and BN4L will be assessed as part of the Carrier onboarding activity. 


The Following Functionalities are covered by External TMS application:

    1. Carrier Selection
    2. Carrier Collaboration
    3. Freight Charge Calculation
    4. Track and Trace

For USA and Canada, road mode for Performance & Care, Specialty Polymers, TMS4S system will be used as External TMS system. SAP S/4HANA TM will be integrated to TMS4S. TMS4S will be responsible for Carrier selection, Confirmation, Charge Calculation and track and trace and send the information to SAP S/ HANA TM.


The Following Functionalities are covered as part of Freight Audit & Invoicing:

    1. Audit of Freight calculated planned freight charges
    2. Payment of Freight Invoices to Carrier

For USA and Canada, road mode, for Performance & Care, Specialty Polymers, CASS will be used for Freight Audit & Invoicing.

For All modes of transport, globally, SAP TM along with BN4L will be used to handle dispute management ensuring that the Planned Freight is audited and aligned with the Carrier.

Generating Freight Invoice:

Primary Method: Carrier should generate invoicing directly via BN4L portal

Secondary method: In case of exceptions ( e.g. carrier not onboarded on BN4L), Carrier can send the invoice to VIM.


Ovinto is used in Europe for tracking container movements and tracking the inventory of empty, preload containers.


The Following Functionalities are covered as part of Site Logistics:

    1. Post Check-in / Check-out to S/4 HANA TM
    2. Send Truck, Driver details to S/4 HANA TM

Selfy will be used as a Primary Application for site Logistics. Currently Selfy is used in 3 Plants in Europe (Ospiate Italy, Mereville France, Spinetta Italy) . Selfy will be integrated S/4 HANA as part of the SyWay to be state.

Simba/Focusol is used as the Site Logistics application in Tavaux France instead of Selfy. Simba/Focusol will be integrated S/4 HANA as part of SyWay for Tavaux Plant. This is a third party site managed by INEOS, and hence we need to continue with Simba/Focusol to keep business continuity


Bourque is used as a Rail Tracking application in USA. It is not integrated to the current SAP ECC system and in Future state as well it will remain standalone and not integrated with S/4 HANA. 


Abbreviations


1

SAP TM 

SAP Transportation  Management

2

SAP BN4L

SAP Business Network for Logistics

3

FC

Freight Collaboration Module of BN4L

4

GTT

Global Track and Trace Module of BN4L

5

P44

Project 44

6

TMS4S

E2Open Transportation Management for Shippers

7

CASS

Cass Information Systems for Freight Audit  and Payment

8

CPI

SAP Cloud Platform Integration ( SAP Integration Suite)

9

SAP PI

SAP Process Integration

10

FCL

Full Container Load

11

LE - TRA

Logistics Execution (Transportation)

12

VIM

Vendor Invoice Management module of S/4 HANA

13

RoW

Rest of the World


Conclusion

Syensqo’s commitment to harmonizing its TM landscape through the adoption of BN4L and a single middleware platform marks a significant step toward operational excellence. This initiative will deliver improved efficiency, visibility, and Carrier collaboration