Central Dispatch has taken the first step in its coming “transformation.”

Cox Automotive’s logistics marketplace has launched Central Dispatch Enterprise, which it calls “a customizable package of end-to-end capabilities” aimed at large automotive shippers and brokers.

That package, the company said in a news release, includes a private marketplace structure, market intelligence powered by an extensive set of first-party data, and a full suite of application programming interfaces.

Cox said this launch is the first phase of Central Dispatch’s transformation, with more to follow.

“With this transformation, we are doing more than evolving the platform,” Cox Automotive vice president of logistics Joe Kichler said. “We are simplifying the entire transportation experience for shippers, brokers and carriers.

“The release of these enterprise capabilities is a big leap forward, and we look forward to bringing similar benefits to even more clients later this year.”

Central Dispatch Enterprise is designed to allow the largest automotive shippers and brokers to run their businesses in one place, beginning with a private marketplace that gives large shippers an exclusive space and specialized tools within Central Dispatch’s platform to manage dispatches and interact directly with their network of carriers.

The private marketplace automates processes such as negotiations and dispatching, Cox said, and allows clients to move loads into the open marketplace when desired. It also provides a single place for carriers to get inventory and access to the new Central Dispatch carrier mobile app, which is designed to enable transporters to manage and complete the entire transaction from any mobile device.

The company said two large brokers – Ready Logistics and Nexus Auto Transport – are already using Central Dispatch’s private marketplaces.

“Central Dispatch is the only vehicle logistics brand operating a private marketplace solution at this scale today,” Central Dispatch senior director of business operations Lainey Sibble said. “In just over three months since the first private marketplace launched, Central Dispatch has facilitated more than 400,000 vehicle moves – and we’re just getting started.”

The launch also includes Central Dispatch Market Intelligence, designed to provide insights to help guide transportation decisions from pricing to capacity management in order to improve transportation speed and profitability, and help carriers optimize routes and minimize empty spots on their trucks. And, Cox said, its suite of APIs will create secure data exchanges between Central Dispatch and other technologies and apps used by shippers, brokers and carriers, allowing Central Dispatch to function as a communication hub.

The next phase of the transformation is planned for August, the company said. Among other new developments, that release is expected to make the new mobile app more widely available.