How Century Supply Chain Solutions Scales Global Integrations with Cleo

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Century Supply Chain Solutions, a global 3PL operating in 70+ countries, utilized Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC) to modernize its proprietary platform, VIZIV, and accelerate its international integration capabilities. By consolidating fragmented communication protocols into a unified cloud architecture, Century achieved a 300% scale in its global EDI operations while reducing partner onboarding time by 75%. The transition enabled the company to handle complex hybrid connections—including API, EDI, and EDIFACT—ensuring real-time visibility and resilience across its massive global supply chain network.

KEY PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

• Unified Integration Architecture: Replaced disparate point solutions with a single integration layer, streamlining the transformation of complex data types (JSON, XML, EDI) into actionable operational handoffs.

• Rapid Partner Onboarding: Slashed the timeline for activating new retail and ocean carrier partners by 75%, allowing Century to capture new revenue streams significantly faster than before.

• Dramatic Ticket Reduction: Lowered the volume of internal support tickets by over 50% through improved data integrity and automated error resolution.

• Real-Time Transaction Visibility: Empowered global operations teams with the CIC Cockpit, enabling them to identify and resolve transaction errors in minutes rather than hours using container-level search capabilities.

• Industry Standard Compliance: Seamlessly enforced DCSA (Digital Container Shipping Association) industry standards and custom partner-specific rules (delimiter handling, segment control) across all ocean carrier connections.

INTRODUCTION

Century’s Vision for the Future of Global Integration

As a global logistics provider operating in 70+ countries, Century Supply Chain Solutions has always been committed to staying a step ahead by combining on-the-ground supply chain expertise with the innovative power of its proprietary platform, VIZIV. 

To build on this foundation and elevate its integration capabilities, Century sought a solution that could match its momentum. One that could onboard trading partners faster, reduce manual support and effort, and provide real-time transaction visibility across various teams. The goal: enough control to enable scalability and agility without compromise.

ACCELERATING INNOVATION

Century’s Integration Strategy with Cleo

Rather than reacting to limitations, Century strategically selected Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC) to evolve its integration infrastructure and enable true supply chain orchestration. The decision aligned with Century’s broader vision of building a more connected, transparent, and efficient supply chain network powered by intelligent data. Key reasons Century chose Cleo as their integration partner include:

Simplifying Complexity with a Unified Architecture

CIC enabled Century to consolidate all communication protocols and data transformations into a single integration layer— streamlining operations and making it easier to support a wide range of partner connections and system requirements. This unified approach powers diverse use cases across the business:

Supports Trading Partner Mandates

• Large retailers via API, EDI, and EDIFACT across multiple communications channels

• Ocean carriers using DCSA industry standards and custom formats

• Customs brokers using API, EDI, flat file and Excel

• Partners with hybrid connections—mix of EDI and non-EDI integrations

Facilitates System Integration Use Cases

• Loading EDI shipment status (315s) into internal SQL databases

• Mapping JSON/XML to Excel templates for operational handoff

• Enforcing partner-specific rules (delimiter handling, segment control)

• Auto-generating 997s and CONTRL messages

Proactive Support with Real-Time Visibility

With CIC’s customizable dashboards located in the CIC Cockpit, Century’s teams now have instant insight into all transactions, dramatically improving support operations.

This shift has transformed how quickly the support team can identify and resolve issues:

• Issues that once took hours now take minutes to identify, and escalate if needed

• 50%+ drop in support tickets related to partner errors or missing files

• More issues are resolved preemptively before customers even report them

• Support teams can now search transactions using details like container numbers for faster resolution

Faster, Smarter Partner Onboarding

Since adopting CIC, Century has reduced new partner onboarding time by approximately 75%. The result? Faster revenue realization and the ability to onboard more partners that much faster.

This acceleration is powered by:

• Pre-built, customizable integrations 

• Reusable templates 

• Streamlined endpoint configuration 

• Automated validation processes

Real-Time Data Empowers Teams

By giving teams real-time, self-service access to critical transaction data, CIC has reduced internal escalations and unlocked new levels of agility across the organization.

Scaling Without Limits

Since implementing CIC, Century has achieved rapid, sustainable growth across every facet of its integration landscape. And as their needs have expanded, Cleo’s platform has scaled effortlessly to keep pace—without performance slowdowns, system constraints, or need for proportional increases in headcount.

Key areas of growth include:

• 300% surge in transaction volume (10M in 2022 to 40M+ in 2025)

• 65% growth in trading partner network

• 55% increase in active CIC processes, enabling deeper automation and customization

LOOKING AHEAD

A Platform for the Future of Logistics

Century’s investment in Cleo is part of a larger strategy to build a resilient supply chain. By combining Cleo Integration Cloud and VIZIV, Century is achieving supply chain orchestration with centralized visibility, delivering technology-led logistics for some of the world’s most iconic brands.

This partnership supports Century’s unwavering mission: to make global supply chains simpler, stronger, and shorter