AI for Future Business Challenge Competition
In the 2021 AI for Future Business Challenge, my team placed second out of 302 Canadian participants by developing DotsLogistics, an open-source platform connecting SMEs with logistics providers using AI. My main contributions include leading problem definition, UX, mockups, and system architecture, as well as collaborating on prototypes and pitches.
The Swift Bunnies created DotsLogistics, an open-source platform with AI Capabilities tailored towards supporting B2B and B2C relationships for SMEs, connecting them with warehouses, logistics companies, and shippers.
In the modern economic landscape, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy, yet they often face disproportionate challenges in logistics. With supply chain disruptions and a surge in e-commerce, many SMEs struggle to find reliable partners and access essential market insights, often because of the high cost and complexity of mainstream ERP software such as SAP and Oracle.
Our solution, DotsLogistics, is a dedicated platform designed to empower these businesses. We offer a dual-pronged approach with a free marketplace and AI analytics to build trustworthy B2B and B2C relationships. DotsLogistics is built on a strategy of redefined collaboration and a broad low-cost provider position.
1. The Free Marketplace
Our core offering is a free-to-use marketplace connecting shippers, carriers, warehouses, and other partners. Users can search for partners based on criteria such as commodity type, location, and service. The platform facilitates the full transaction lifecycle, including sending RFPs, messages, requesting quotes, and managing invoices.
2. Premium AI Analytics
DotsLogistics leverages a "data moat" built on aggregated customer data to provide powerful insights, powered by Microsoft Azure technologies:
Partner Matching: An AI recommendation engine utilizes Azure AI and previous transaction data to match shippers with optimal partners and services at competitive prices.
Route Optimization: The platform suggests optimal routes, reducing time and fuel costs by leveraging historical data and market conditions.
Custom Dashboard: Users gain access to real-time market outlooks, hotspot maps of regional demand trends, and transaction volume overviews, all modelled using Azure Power BI Embedded.
Core Business Strategy
Our strategy is tailored specifically to the needs of the SME market:
Low-Cost & Accessible: We maintain a broad low-cost strategy. The marketplace is free, with revenue generated through a competitive 3% commission on transactions and an additional commission on site promotions.
Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Our premium Silver and Gold memberships (starting at $58/month for Silver) are deliberately priced lower than those of major competitors, offering an affordable path to sophisticated analytics and consulting services.
Data-Driven Value: We foster a culture of data reciprocity, where users gain access to insights by contributing their own data. This exponentially growing "data moat" is a defensible asset that continuously improves our machine learning algorithms, making the platform an essential value chain resource over time.
Conclusion
By offering a free marketplace with premium, data-driven tools, DotsLogistics redefines collaboration and provides low-cost, high-value analytics, ultimately helping SMEs overcome their challenges and optimize performance in a volatile market.