FourKites will sell supply chain results, not software

FourKites makes software that shows where freight is at this time. It has launched Outcome-as-a-Service. Each task starts with one business measure, such as on-time-in-full delivery, and not with a software tool. The company says its agents use data from a network of more than 1,600 brands and 500,000 carriers. It gave no customer results.

How it works

A task starts with one measure of the work. FourKites then works back to the data, workflows and AI agents for that measure. Before each step, an agent uses network data, such as carrier performance on a path or conditions at a harbor. The result goes back into the system.

The numbers

The company says it makes software releases each day and not each two weeks. It also replaced its catalogue with more than 70 outcomes, each linked to the agents that do the work. The company gave no figures that show the results of the agents.

What is not known

The company gave no price and no customer names. It must show that its agents can do tasks without staff and not only tell staff. The chief executive, Mathew Elenjickal, says AI models become a commodity and network data cannot be copied.

Insight: A vendor that sells results must prove them

FourKites says rivals cannot copy its network data. Solcis makes tools for agent rules. It released tools that keep a record of each agent task for auditors. Sales of outcomes seem to put the risk on the vendor. Buyers will then want records of the tasks of its agents. Get those records before you sign.