The TAILgate 2 project builds on two previous TSB funded projects namely TAILgate 1
(2010-2012) - building of a “demonstrator” and a Proof of Market ("POM") (August 2012-
December 2012). TAILgate (Transport & Intelligent Logistics Gateway) is an Intermodal
Collaboration Gateway (ICG) and will provide a unique capability to intelligently match
supply and demand in the UK freight marketplace across all modes (road, rail, short sea and
coastal shipping-SS&C). It could be likened to “Expedia for Freight”. TAILgate aims to
reduce the total number of UK annual road freight movements by 1.5% (1.5 million road
journeys p.a.) and associated carbon emissions by some 250,000 tons p.a. by 2018 through a
combination of improved asset utilisation and modal shift (principally road to rail & SS&C
shipping). This POC proposal involves the design and specification of the underlying
components of a matching engine to match supply and demand & present it in either a Web
Portal or directly to ERP systems via multiple interfaces in order to deliver a user experience
which is intuitive, thereby encouraging familiarity & ready adoption in the next phase. The
individual components of the process will be specified, wire framed & subsequently validated
by a “user group” based on usability, speed of response, & forecast of delivery against cost
reduction & Co2e targets. This will provide the basis for a small group of shippers & carriers
to sign off on the designs & processes with a view to progressing to the development of a
prototype during 2013. TAILgate 2 members are: SaaS B2B integration provider OmPrompt;
European logistics interlocutor ELUPEG (European Logistics, Users, Providers and Enablers
Group); and supply chain consultants Bisham Consulting. Each of the project partners has
subscribed for shares in ImPortal Limited, the launch vehicle for TAILgate 2. The scheme
will particularly benefit SMEs who have limited procurement leverage and could generate
cost savings in excess of 50%.