CPO Rising’s Technology Round-Up series continues this week with fresh supply management technology news and updates covering a few recent major announcements. If you are a sourcing, procurement, or spend management solution provider and you are continually innovating the way that procurement and supply chain leaders and practitioners drive value, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us a note at info at cporising dot com. Thanks, and enjoy!
Kodiak Hub Secures €6M Investment to Revolutionize Procurement with AI-Powered SRM
STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Kodiak Hub announced that it has secured €6 million (US$6.3 million) in funding from Oxx, a leading B2B SaaS investment firm, marking a major milestone in its journey to redefine supplier relationship management (SRM) for global procurement and sourcing teams.
The company stated that in a world where supply chain disruptions are the new norm, Kodiak Hub is stepping up to empower procurement leaders and multinational organizations around the world to navigate these challenges with data-driven precision. Oxx’s investment signals a shared commitment to reshaping supplier relationship management.
According to Ingrid Bonde Åkerlind, principal at Oxx, “As companies face increased pressure to meet regulatory and sustainability requirements, Kodiak Hub’s sophisticated analytics and AI-driven insights are uniquely positioned to enable procurement leaders to take a proactive approach in managing supplier quality, risk, and compliance,” she says.
“Malin and her team have crafted a ‘data cockpit’ for procurement, essential in today’s landscape, and we are thrilled to partner with them on their journey to redefine supplier relationship management.”
Sustainable practices in global supply chains are no longer optional — they are mission-critical. According to the UN Global Compact, supply chain emissions account for a staggering 70% of the average corporate value chain’s total emissions. Increasing demand for transparent and fair-trade practices are driving a paradigm shift, pushing companies to re-evaluate their sourcing and procurement strategies.
Read the full announcement here.
Connectivity Suite Enables Real-Time Integration of Esker Accounts Payable with Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERPs
LYON, France, and MIDDLETON, Wis. — Esker, a global authority in AI-powered business solutions for the Office of the CFO, announced the expansion of its Connectivity Suite with pre-built connectors that provide real-time integration of Esker Accounts Payable with cloud-enabled ERPs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
The company stated that the long-standing working relationship between Esker and Microsoft ensures seamless integration due to the know-how of the Microsoft environment. Esker Accounts Payable provides a single solution for supplier invoice processing — directly into and out of ERPs — to automate, streamline, and simplify accounts payable (AP) processes, including invoice verification, approval and mobile user support.
According to Vincent Changala, Connectivity Suite Product Manager at Esker, “An efficient Office of the CFO requires seamless real-time connectivity that optimizes business operations, not just because users save time by no longer having to switch between applications, but also because the IT team does not have to maintain and support it,” he said.
Users can now receive, enter, and track supplier invoices directly in Esker without having to switch between software applications. An AP workflow outside of ERP systems delivers better business continuity by ensuring 24/7 access, approval capabilities for those without role-based ERP access, easier training and thereby greater user acceptance. Additionally, operating outside the ERP adds a virtualization layer for heterogenous IT landscapes, eliminating the need to reconcile processes across different ERP systems and delivering a consistent and standardized approach to managing AP.
Read the full announcement here.
American Software, Inc. Changes Name to Logility Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
ATLANTA — American Software, Inc., a leader in AI-first supply chain planning software, is changing its name to Logility Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. (Logility) to align its name with its brand, which is recognized in the industry and around the world.
As part of this evolution, the company’s shareholders approved a reclassification of its dual-class share structure on August 20, 2024 from a dual-class capital structure to a single Class A common stock. This move is a response to feedback from shareholders and proxy advisory firms and is expected to attract a wider range of investors.
According to Allan Dow, president and CEO of Logility, “As we continue to innovate and lead in AI-first supply chain solutions, we are excited to align the company name with the brand for which we are globally recognized.”
Logility stated that this strategic shift is part of a larger initiative aligned with the company’s continued focus on its core competencies. Following the divestiture of non-core assets and the recent acquisitions of AI-powered demand forecasting and network optimization capabilities, Logility is a SaaS leader in supply chain planning and management solutions.
With decades of global supply chain management expertise and experience, Logility is a trusted leader focused on leveraging its history of pioneering supply chain advancements to advance an AI-first strategy that is transforming both the company and the industry.
Read the full announcement here.
Jabil and Cyferd Unveil an AI-Driven, Fully Autonomous Supply Chain Platform
PETERSBURG, Fla. and NEW YORK — Jabil Inc., a global leader in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions announced ID8 Global, a joint venture with Cyferd Inc., a pioneering AI company specializing in data technology. Together, they are introducing a generative AI-driven, autonomous supply chain and procurement software platform that will transform how industries manage complex logistics, procurement, and operations on a global scale.
The company stated that the joint venture between Cyferd and a Jabil subsidiary marks the beginning of a new era for AI-driven procurement and supply chain transformation. Combining Jabil’s extensive experience across the global supply chain with Cyferd’s advanced platform capabilities and proprietary self-learning AI engine, Neural Genesis, ID8 Global’s customizable software solution presents a unique value proposition for supply chain and procurement practitioners within any organization.
According to Frank McKay, chief procurement and supply chain officer at Jabil, “By merging Jabil’s industry expertise with Cyferd’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, we’re not just improving the supply chain; we’re reimagining it,” he said.
“This platform will help organizations scale faster and adapt to global demands. We’re at the forefront of something truly transformative that will strengthen Jabil’s relationships with its customers and suppliers.”
Read the full announcement here.
