Open by design. Built for interoperability.
The OLF-eCMR Toolbox
Interoperability is a crucial benefit of the digital consignment note, no matter whether it’s used as a starting point for an eCMR solution or a building block to expand existing solutions. This is precisely what the OLF-eCMR Toolbox delivers.
The OLF-eCMR Toolbox is ideal for all companies wishing to introduce, further develop and integrate digital freight processes across system boundaries.
Legally compliant
Easy
to handle
100%
Collaboratively developed
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Why the eCMR makes sense:
Reasons to get on board
With the digital consignment note (eCMR), companies can streamline processes, speed up operations, and manage transport information digitally throughout the entire process. At the same time, the eCMR enables them to meet current and future regulatory requirements in Europe.
Are you planning an eCMR solution?
Do you already have an eCMR solution?
From development to implementation
The OLF-eCMR Toolbox is a collaborative development by companies across Europe. The companies involved represent a cross-section of the market.
International logistics service providers, leading transport platforms and renowned logistics IT companies – including large corporations, medium-sized enterprises and start-ups – contributed their requirements and perspectives to the development process in order to create a shared, open and customisable foundation for the digital consignment note. The international logistics service providers Dachser and Rhenus have already integrated the components from the OLF-eCMR Toolbox into their system landscapes and are benefiting from the solution.
DACHSER is putting digital transport documents into practice with the OLF-eCMR Toolbox.
Rhenus uses the eCMR based on the OLF-eCMR Toolbox now being used in daily operations.
Become a member.
Become part of a community that develops open, interoperable solutions for digital transport documents.
- Learn from real-world eCMR implementations and best practices.
- Contribute to the further development of open source solutions.
- Be directly involved when new digital transport documents and standards are developed.
Take the next step towards eCMR
The components and the reference implementation from the OLF-eCMR Toolbox can be easily integrated into existing IT systems and transport processes. Installation takes just a few hours. The extent of customisation varies from company to company, depending on which processes and applications are implemented.
Working with experienced partners to ensure successful eCMR integration
The OLF-eCMR Toolbox provides the basis for an interoperable digital consignment note. Companies can integrate the components and the reference implementation from the toolbox into their own systems, or use the eCMR directly via integrated transport platforms.
The OLF-eCMR Toolbox was developed through collaboration between logistics and logistics IT companies within the Open Logistics Foundation. The participating logistics IT partners possess extensive eCMR expertise and can support companies with integration and customisation as service providers.
The Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)/Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT), a member of the Open Logistics Foundation (OLF), provides technical support for implementing, adapting and testing solutions based on the OLF-eCMR Toolbox.
Building on its role in initiating the eCMR project and shaping the technical architecture of the OLF-eCMR Toolbox, the Fraunhofer IML offers in-depth expertise and practical support to help companies adopt, integrate and use digital transport documents.
As software and technology company, OLF member iteratec utilises components such as the eCMR data model, the eCMR API and the eSEAL to help logistics companies transition to fully digital transport document processes.
The transport platforms involved in the development of the OLF-eCMR Toolbox have added the relevant components to their eCMR solutions to ensure interoperability with other systems. As a result, users benefit from an interoperable eCMR process without having to undertake their own integration work.
As the first Serbian member of the Open Logistics Foundation, bitsEverywhere uses the OLF-eCMR Toolbox as the basis of their own eCMR platform and supports companies in introducing, integrating and operating it.
Markant is a trade and services company for food and DIY retail and its suppliers in Europe and a member of the Open Logistics Foundation. The company offers logistics companies and their partners the option to operate the OLF-eCMR Toolbox on its German infrastructure, from test instances to productive use.
OLF member Trinet Informatika d.o.o. has implemented the OLF-eCMR Toolbox – the API and the eSeals – in their Transbook platform and supports carriers, forwarders and shippers in moving from paper consignment notes to interoperable eCMR.
May we introduce the eCMR ecosystem?
Become part of a growing community of organisations that use, integrate or provide services based on the OLF-eCMR and its components.
Sharing is caring
An open source solution gets better the more people share their experiences. That is why every user’s feedback is important. Whether it’s ideas, practical tips or error reports: every piece of feedback helps to continuously develop the solution and improve it for all users.
Want to find out more?
Whether it’s technical components, practical implementation or regulatory requirements: here you’ll find in-depth information on the digital consignment note and the OLF-eCMR Toolbox.
Technology & integration
Operations & transport
Signature solutions & driver experience
Compliance & legal affairs
Andreas Nettsträter, CEO
FAQs
What else you need to know about the OLF-eCMR Toolbox
The new open source standard for digital consignment notes: Learn more about the implementation, the use, and the potential of the solution.
Do I need to become a member of the Open Logistics Foundation to use the OLF-eCMR Toolbox?
The components in the OLF-eCMR Toolbox are developed as open source and available to companies free of charge. Costs are incurred not for the use of the components, but for their integration and any necessary adaptations. Any further developments arising from the use of the components should be fed back into the open source community. By becoming a member of the Open Logistics Foundation, companies can join the community that is collectively further developing the eCMR. They can discuss their requirements with other industry stakeholders and play an active role in shaping the next stages of development.
What makes this open solution stand out?
The components and the reference implementation from the OLF-eCMR Toolbox are open and free of charge. The source code is available for any company to download, use and adapt – with no license fees, no restrictions, and independent of individual suppliers (vendor-independent). The solution was developed in collaboration with more than 25 partners from the logistics and IT sectors within the Working Group Electronic Transport Documents, and its development continues within the Working Group. This ensures compatibility and promotes the further development of a de facto standard. Regular updates and community feedback guarantee a reliable solution in the long term. The solution is practical and easy to implement and its components can be integrated into existing IT systems. External IT support is available if required.
In which scenarios can the OLF-eCMR Toolbox be used?
The open solution can be used in a wide range of road freight transport scenarios. These include standard international freight transport, proof-of-delivery processes, support for cabotage checks, the digital exchange of freight documents, and cross-company collaboration in the transport sector.
Which regulatory requirements does a solution based on the OLF-eCMR Toolbox meet?
A solution based on the OLF-eCMR Toolbox supports compliance with the requirements for the electronic consignment note as set out in the eCMR Convention. The open development approach within the Open Logistics Foundation lays the groundwork for responding to future regulatory requirements. For example, through the further development of the data model in the context of the EU Regulation on electronic freight transport information (eFTI) or potential national requirements.
How does access to the eCMR function in a driver’s day-to-day work?
The way the digital consignment note is handled in a driver’s day-to-day work is a key factor in the practical success of the eCMR. The solution developed by the Open Logistics Foundation has therefore been designed to support a range of integration options for drivers. How access is actually provided depends on the provider’s specific solution. This can be, for example, via the provider’s own platform or a directly integrated driver app. If this is not possible, guest access via the web browser of a mobile device is available as an alternative. This allows existing processes and working methods to be accommodated flexibly, without the OLF-eCMR dictating a specific form of driver integration.
Are there any developments underway at the Open Logistics Foundation regarding other transport documents?
As part of the eDeliveryNote project, the Open Logistics Foundation is currently developing another open solution for a central transport document. As with the eCMR, this project is also producing open components that companies can integrate into their existing systems. The project builds on the experience and components gained during the eCMR project.