Cloud & APIs

The scaling of cloud and API solutions is enabling new opportunities for many companies to extend their reach by integrating with different platforms, as well as offering new capabilities to customers. Already in 2020, 36% of retailers considered APIs a strategic resource for creating business value. This indicates the relevance of APIs, particularly in the e-commerce sector, to enable presenting updates digitally to the end customer, from the ordering process on the company's own platform to last-mile delivery.

An example of leveraging APIs is the so-called super-app which can connect countless mini-apps via one main app platform, so the end user does not have to leave the app platform to use a variety of different services. The most prominent example of a super-app comes from the Chinese company WeChat, which has used API technology to integrate over 3 million mini programs in its super-app, covering everything from retail online shopping to online dating.

APIs are a great enabler of new commercial opportunities for logistics by integrating real-time information on delivery options, shipment tracking, freight rates, and availability of transportation solutions and other services into apps, websites, and customer platforms. Through the DHL API Developer Portal, interested third parties can access a range of APIs to integrate DHL solutions such as tracking, shipping, and location services on their own e-commerce platforms in order to provide frictionless transparency to their end customers.

In the logistics industry, the various opportunities presented by cloud and API services lead to an enhanced customer experience, deeper customer relationships, business growth, and ultimately competitive advantage.

The integration of cloud logistics platforms into existing IT data infrastructure and systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems via APIs enables companies to incorporate all relevant logistics data into operational planning and execution. This allows companies to streamline logistics processes through fleet management, optimized inventory management, and accurate shipment tracking and monitoring. In addition, cloud logistics platforms create a high level of data transparency across a company's value chain, enabling a smoother end-customer experience by integrating updated and relevant information (eg, order options, billing and tracking details) across all customer touchpoints. Companies like Cleo, with its Cleo Integration Cloud, are developing cloud logistics platform solutions to digitize complete end-to-end business processes by integrating third-party services into platforms using APIs.

Through the integration of cloud logistics systems, decision makers receive real-time data that improves performance management and enables new insights into business data through analytics. For example, by connecting to the main ERP system, a cloud logistics system can directly map price fluctuations in global freight forwarding in order to reschedule transport routes at short notice, if necessary, and to inform customers and internal stakeholders about possible delays.