Systematized rate database enables immediate quoting to customers and greater visibility to ocean carrier data Chapel Hill, North Carolina - CargoSphere, the leading, cloud-based global rate management platform and confidential Rate Mesh, today announces an agreement with Sumitomo Warehouse (U.S.A.), Inc. to implement CargoSphere’s rate management platform and Rate Mesh for its 3 U.S.-based offices in Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. Adopting a faster, more analytical approach to quoting ocean rates to customers was important to Sumitomo. By adopting CargoSphere’s rate management solution they are able to look at all carrier pricing and transit time options side-by-side in real-time for the best cost/transit benefit. Customer quotes can now be made on the spot addressing the need to serve shipper customers faster with a more effective process which is necessary in today’s plugged-in, connected communication world. Additionally, now equipped with enhanced rate data, Sumitomo is better able to understand and compare carrier performance by trade lane. In addition, for timely management of freight rates, GRIs and surcharges and improved data accuracy, Sumitomo is self-managing ocean carrier contracts using CargoSphere’s proprietary SUDS (Smart Upload and Diagnostic Solution) software. SUDS intelligently reads and processes external freight rate data directly from any static document, such as carrier contract spreadsheets, and loads it into the user’s dynamic rate system database. Providing further efficiency is CargoSphere’s confidential, rate network, the Rate Mesh. Sumitomo receives confidential freight rates over the Rate Mesh from vendor partners. Rates go directly into their internal pricing system with no need for rekeying rate data. Sho Kondo, Manager of Atlanta Branch, Sumitomo Warehouse (U.S.A.), Inc., said, “In the past, it would take 2-5 days to receive door-to-door rates from carriers which meant we were barely getting back to customers within a week. Adoption of rate management and networking technology is an advancement that serves as a competitive differentiation for us and allows us to better serve our customers’ needs. With CargoSphere we now have the technological capabilities and in turn benefits our marketplace requires.” Neil Barni, president of CargoSphere, said, “We’re pleased to welcome Sumitomo to our CargoSphere community and collaborative Rate Mesh network. Direct carrier and agent partner connections reduce costs associated with loading and maintaining contracts. In today’s challenging marketplace, cost and time savings are of paramount importance.” Frank the Forwarder video explains how CargoSphere’s contract and rate management and Rate Mesh solutions work.