Yusen Logistics Transforms Global Freight Booking with Liferay
Enabling faster, more efficient freight booking through a centralized digital collaboration
Key Takeaways
1. Fragmentation at scale becomes a systemic risk
Relying on email, Excel, and PDF forms across multiple regions creates compounding inefficiencies that no incremental fix can resolve.
2. A configurable platform makes global standardization achievable
Liferay's SaaS technology enabled consistent booking workflows to be deployed across 47 countries and regions while preserving the flexibility needed for local requirements.
3. Operational expertise and platform flexibility are complementary, not competing
Success came from combining Yusen Logistics' deep logistics knowledge with Liferay's scalable technology — not from treating the two as separate tracks.
4. Speed to deployment is a signal of solution fit
Rolling out across 47 countries in 9 months was possible because the platform was built around existing operational workflows, not developed in isolation from them.
Background
Yusen Logistics manages high volumes of air and ocean freight shipments across multiple regions, requiring efficient coordination between shippers, internal operators, and partners. To support its global operations, Yusen Logistics partnered with Liferay to enhance its digital capabilities through the Yusen Vantage platform.
Challenges
As Yusen Logistics' global operations expanded, freight bookings were managed through fragmented channels such as email, Excel, and PDF forms. This resulted in:
- High manual workload due to repeated data entry into internal systems
- Limited shipment visibility for customers and stakeholders
- Inefficient document sharing and version control
- Delays caused by back-and-forth communication
At scale, these challenges increased operational complexity and reduced efficiency, highlighting the need for a more integrated and digital approach.
Implementation
To address these challenges, Yusen Logistics developed Yusen Vantage Focus (YVF Book) in collaboration with Liferay, leveraging its scalable SaaS platform as the digital foundation. This joint approach combined Yusen Logistics' deep operational expertise with Liferay's flexible and scalable technology to deliver:
- Centralized online booking with automated integration into core systems
- Real-time shipment visibility through a unified interface
- Streamlined document management across stakeholders
- Configurable workflows and localization for global deployment
- Preloaded booking history, enabling immediate usability for existing customers
The platform was successfully deployed across 47 countries and regions within 9 months, demonstrating both scalability and speed through close collaboration.
Before & After: Digital Transformation at a Glance
| Area | Before Liferay DXP | WITH Liferay DXP |
|---|---|---|
| Booking Process | Managed through email, Excel, and PDF forms; manual re-entry required | Centralized online booking with automated data transfer |
| Operational Efficiency | High manual workload and risk of human error | Reduced manual processing and improved accuracy |
| Shipment Visibility | Limited visibility across emails and fragmented updates | Real-time tracking through a unified dashboard |
| Document Management | Documents shared via email with no central record | Centralized, accessible, and shareable document repository |
| Collaboration | Frequent back-and-forth communication across stakeholders | Streamlined collaboration on a single platform |
| Partner Onboarding | New users start from scratch | Preloaded booking history enables immediate use |
| Global Consistency | Varies by region with fragmented processes | Standardized platform deployed across 47 countries and regions |
Results
- Improved operational efficiency through reduced manual processing and errors
- Faster booking and decision-making with real-time visibility and tracking
- Enhanced customer experience with self-service capabilities and transparency
- Streamlined collaboration across shippers, operators, and partners
- Accelerated onboarding, enabled by preloaded booking data and intuitive workflows
This initiative highlights how Yusen Logistics, through Yusen Vantage, partnered with Liferay to deliver a scalable digital solution that transforms global freight booking. By combining logistics expertise with robust technology, Yusen Logistics has established a strong foundation for continued innovation and enhanced customer value.
