FlexiVan Builds Real-Time Chassis Tracking Platform With IBM

FlexiVan Modernizes Intermodal Operations With Real-Time Chassis Intelligence

The Challenge of Invisible Assets

Chassis management remains one of supply chain's most persistent operational headaches. These critical intermodal assets—the wheeled trailers that connect containers to drayage trucks—are frequently scattered across ports, inland depots, and customer facilities, making real-time visibility remarkably difficult. When visibility fails, the consequences cascade: detention charges mount, drayage productivity suffers, port congestion worsens, and shippers face unpredictable equipment availability.

FlexiVan, a major North American chassis provider, recognized this pain point and partnered with IBM to move beyond conventional asset tracking. Rather than deploying yet another fleet management system, the company leveraged IBM webMethods—an enterprise integration platform—to build a unified real-time logistics platform that connects chassis assets with the broader supply chain ecosystem.

Integration as a Competitive Lever

What distinguishes this initiative is the architectural approach. By using API-driven integration middleware, FlexiVan created a system that doesn't operate in isolation. Instead, it bridges customer transportation management systems, port terminal operators, drayage networks, and depot management into a single information layer. This interconnection means that when a container is discharged at a port, the system automatically triggers chassis allocation logic; when equipment moves, all stakeholders see the update in real-time; when a chassis becomes available, the system can intelligently match it to waiting cargo.

This is fundamentally different from traditional fleet tracking, which often treats equipment location as a static data problem solved once per day. Real-time integration transforms chassis management from a reactive, constraint-driven operation into a proactive orchestration layer.

Why This Matters Now

The timing of this capability upgrade reflects industry-wide pressure to reduce friction in intermodal operations. Detention costs—charges incurred when cargo or equipment sits idle—have become a major expense for importers and exporters. Studies consistently show that improved equipment visibility correlates directly with reduced detention and improved port efficiency. As supply chains become increasingly time-sensitive, the ability to eliminate just 12 hours of unnecessary chassis detention can represent tens of thousands in annualized savings across a large operation.

Moreover, this platform upgrade demonstrates a broader shift in logistics technology from point solutions to integrated ecosystems. Rather than replacing existing systems, FlexiVan's platform weaves new intelligence into existing operations—a more pragmatic path to digital transformation than wholesale system overhauls.

Operational Implications for Supply Chain Teams

For shippers and freight forwarders, this capability expansion creates new optimization opportunities. Access to real-time chassis availability enables more precise timing of container releases to ports, reducing unnecessary dwell. For drayage operators, integrated visibility allows better matching of empty equipment to waiting loads, reducing empty miles and improving utilization. For port operations, improved chassis predictability helps manage terminal congestion and optimize gate scheduling.

The broader takeaway: as intermodal providers increasingly digitize their operations, supply chain teams that fail to integrate these new visibility tools into their planning processes will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Real-time chassis visibility is no longer a luxury—it's becoming a baseline requirement for efficient port operations.

Source: IBM