Tideworks’ Business Rules Engine and Planning API integration streamlines complex rail bookings, accelerating operations and growth across UK terminals

Tideworks, a leading provider of full-service terminal operating system (TOS) solutions, announced today the successful deployment of an advanced integration with Freightliner Ltd. (Freightliner), the UK’s largest maritime intermodal logistics operator. The integration enhances planning by reducing manual processes and improving consistency, speed and accuracy across Freightliner’s UK terminals. These enhancements support scalable growth and better asset utilization.

The solution connects Freightliner’s existing use of Tideworks’ Intermodal Pro® (IPRO) intermodal rail TOS with Decisions, a third-party, low-code automation platform engineered for AI-enhanced decision making, to enable intelligent, rule-based automation of rail booking and planning across Freightliner’s network of UK terminals.

“This integration marks a great step forward in Freightliner’s digital evolution,” said Thomas Rucker, president of Tideworks Technology. “By streamlining complex rail bookings with intelligent automation, we’re helping Freightliner reduce planning time, improve data accuracy and increase terminal throughput. As a strategic technology partner, we’re focused on delivering scalable, future-ready solutions that empower our customers to operate more efficiently and make faster, data-driven decisions.”

The deployment also leverages Tideworks’ Business Rules Engine and enhanced Planning API to send planning data to Decisions. The integration then applies terminal-specific rule sets to automate booking assignments to virtual railcars, streamlining previous manual processes. It also enhances system communication and improves data accuracy across Freightliner’s network.

“Our team worked closely with Tideworks to roll out this integration across our network of UK terminals, and we’ve already seen improvements in planning speed and consistency,” said Chris Cavanagh, terminal systems manager at Freightliner Ltd. “We see Tideworks as a strategic partner in our modernization efforts and look forward to continued collaboration to adopt emerging technologies that improve planning workflows and operational performance.”

Freightliner has partnered with Tideworks since 2008. This new project with Decisions highlights the increasing demand for adaptable, integration-ready systems in rail logistics. The integration rolled out across Freightliner’s UK terminals in 2024. With cloud-capable infrastructure, evolving data tools and support for API-based integration, the implementation reflects Tideworks’ focus on building scalable digital foundations to support long-term operational goals.

Source: BUSINESS WIRE