Freightliner Enhances Booking Efficiency with Tideworks and Decisions Automation
Tideworks Technology Inc. (Tideworks), a recognized leader in full-service terminal operating system (TOS) solutions, has announced the successful deployment of a powerful new integration with Freightliner Ltd. (Freightliner), the United Kingdom’s largest maritime intermodal logistics operator. This advanced integration introduces intelligent automation into Freightliner’s rail booking and planning processes, significantly improving consistency, speed, and accuracy across the company’s extensive network of UK terminals.
By combining Tideworks’ robust intermodal rail TOS, Intermodal Pro® (IPRO), with Decisions, a low-code automation platform built for AI-enhanced decision-making, the new system enables Freightliner to automate traditionally manual and time-consuming planning tasks. This advancement is not just a technological milestone—it marks a meaningful step forward in Freightliner’s digital transformation strategy and positions the company for scalable growth in an increasingly competitive logistics environment.
A Strategic Leap in Digital Logistics
The integration was designed to address a common challenge faced by intermodal rail operators: the inefficiencies inherent in manual booking and planning workflows. For years, these processes have relied heavily on human input, which is not only time-intensive but also susceptible to data inconsistencies and operational delays. By implementing a rule-based automation solution, Freightliner is now able to streamline these complex tasks, reduce errors, and maximize the throughput of its terminal network.
According to Thomas Rucker, president of Tideworks Technology, this project represents a significant advancement in the partnership between the two organizations.
“This integration marks a great step forward in Freightliner’s digital evolution,” said Rucker. “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.”
How the Integration Works
At the core of this solution is a seamless connection between Freightliner’s existing Intermodal Pro TOS and the Decisions automation platform. Intermodal Pro has long been used by Freightliner to manage terminal operations across its UK network. The new integration introduces a higher level of functionality by enabling the system to automatically assign bookings to virtual railcars based on a series of pre-defined, terminal-specific rules.
This is made possible through the use of Tideworks’ Business Rules Engine in combination with an enhanced Planning API. These tools allow planning data to be sent from IPRO to Decisions, which then applies logic-based rules to process the data and return automated assignments. As a result, planners no longer have to manually analyze each booking scenario or determine optimal placement—those decisions are now handled by the system in real-time.
This intelligent automation not only speeds up the planning cycle but also increases accuracy by minimizing the possibility of human error. The system supports tighter data synchronization and improved communication across Freightliner’s terminals, leading to more consistent and reliable operations.
Operational Benefits Already Taking Shape
The deployment has already delivered measurable improvements in operational performance, particularly in terms of planning speed and workflow consistency. Freightliner reports that the new system has allowed planners to focus more on exceptions and strategic decision-making rather than routine data entry and validations.
Chris Cavanagh, terminal systems manager at Freightliner Ltd., noted the significance of the collaboration.
“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 Cavanagh. “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.”
The integration was completed across all of Freightliner’s UK terminals in 2024. The implementation was made possible in part by Tideworks’ evolving platform architecture, which is increasingly designed to support API-based integrations and cloud-enabled infrastructure. These enhancements provide customers like Freightliner with a strong foundation for ongoing innovation and digital scalability.
A Partnership Built on Progress
Freightliner and Tideworks have shared a long-standing partnership that dates back to 2008. Over the years, the two companies have worked together on various projects aimed at modernizing intermodal operations and adapting to the changing demands of global logistics.
This most recent collaboration, which introduces the Decisions platform into the mix, reflects the growing importance of interoperability and automation in today’s logistics landscape. As customer expectations rise and supply chains become more complex, logistics providers must evolve their technology ecosystems to remain agile and responsive.
Tideworks has positioned itself at the forefront of this movement by developing modular, integration-ready solutions that are engineered for long-term scalability. The company’s focus on intelligent automation, data-driven decision-making, and flexible deployment models makes it an ideal partner for logistics providers aiming to transform their operations without disrupting day-to-day performance.
Future-Proofing the Rail Logistics Industry
As the logistics industry continues its shift toward digitization, solutions like this one—where traditional TOS platforms are enhanced through low-code, AI-driven automation—are expected to become the new standard. By embracing these technologies now, companies like Freightliner are gaining a competitive edge that will be difficult for slower-moving competitors to match.
The benefits of this type of automation extend beyond individual terminal operations. In the long term, improved planning accuracy and reduced processing times can lead to better resource utilization, reduced operational costs, and greater service reliability for customers. It also allows logistics providers to respond more quickly to changes in demand, weather, or network disruptions—capabilities that are increasingly critical in today’s volatile supply chain environment.
For Tideworks, this successful deployment also validates the company’s ongoing investment in creating a modern, extensible platform that supports a wide range of integration partners and use cases. As more customers look to adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analytics, Tideworks is well-positioned to help them unlock the full potential of their data and infrastructure.
Freightliner’s integration of intelligent automation through Tideworks and Decisions is more than just a tactical upgrade—it’s a strategic leap forward that underscores the company’s commitment to operational excellence and innovation. With this enhanced system in place, Freightliner is now better equipped to scale its operations, meet growing customer demands, and navigate the complexities of modern intermodal logistics.
As the partnership between Freightliner and Tideworks continues to evolve, both companies are poised to lead the industry toward a smarter, more connected, and more efficient future. Their joint success in this initiative offers a compelling example of how collaborative innovation and the strategic application of technology can drive meaningful improvements in the global supply chain.