J.B. Hunt has announced the launch of Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360, the latest component of its supply chain solution aimed at creating an e-commerce platform for shippers and carriers.

Marketplace and J.B. Hunt 360 are a result of the company’s investments in the future of the supply chain process. Hunt also announced that it will dedicate more than $500 million over the next five years to that effort. The money will be used to improve operating systems, develop cloud infrastructure, and create innovative technologies. To support the transformation, the company has doubled its engineering and technology team.

“Technology is a huge force propelling us into the future,” said John Roberts, president and CEO of J.B. Hunt. “Customers are demanding greater visibility and information into their supply chain in real time. J.B. Hunt 360 is our comprehensive solution to meet that demand, combining J.B. Hunt’s 55 years of operational excellence with the latest technology available in the industry.”

Marketplace will connect shippers and carriers in J.B. Hunt 360 by using real-time data and artificial intelligence to match freight with capacity, creating optimal pairings of loads and carriers to improve efficiency and cost savings.  Carriers can make instant offers on available loads and shippers are provided with a true market pricing on shipments. The system will automate carrier selection based on preference, ratings, reviews and other factors.

Hunt said its Marketplace is backed by the company’s contracted carriers representing a combined capacity of more than one million trucks. Future updates to J.B. Hunt 360 will include interactive voice command and response, real-time load recommendations, and automation tools for shippers and carriers. The platform’s predictive analytics will provide more precise delivery times, resulting in better customer service and smarter decision making, according to J.B. Hunt.

J.B Hunt 360 is accessible online and through specialized applications for shippers and carriers available in the iTunes and Google Play app stores. To learn more, click here.