Tier 1 · FourKites Concepts

Agent Communication Channels

Agent Communication Channels are the modalities through which supply chain AI agents reach carriers, suppliers, customers, and enterprise systems: Email, SMS, System-to-System API, Portal/UI, EDI, and Voice.

Why It Matters

AI agents that live in a backend are useless. They need to reach the physical world through the channels supply chains actually use. Three of FourKites' six channels (EDI, System-to-System API, SMS at carrier scale) are unique to supply chain and do not exist in consumer AI platforms.

The FourKites Perspective

FourKites agents automatically select the channel with the highest historical response rate for each carrier based on Graph data. Some carriers respond to SMS in minutes but ignore portal logins for hours. The Graph knows the pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

What channels do FourKites agents use?

Email (carrier follow-up, customer updates), SMS (500K+ small carrier reach), System-to-System API (direct ERP/TMS/WMS integration), Portal/UI (FourSight with Gen UI), EDI (214/990 supply chain protocols), and Voice (carrier phone conversations).

How does the system choose which channel to use?

The Graph tracks carrier communication preferences and response patterns. When a carrier consistently fails to respond to email on certain lanes, the agent switches to SMS or Voice for those carriers while continuing email for responsive ones.

What makes EDI a unique channel?

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the standard protocol for supply chain communication. No consumer AI platform handles it. FourKites agents natively send and receive EDI 214 status updates and EDI 990 load acceptance/rejection as part of normal workflow execution.

Related Concepts

Loft

EDI 214 and EDI 990

Related Outcome PAGES

24/7 Autonomous Carrier Follow-Up

Multi-Channel Carrier Facilitation

Related PLATFORM PAGES

Loft Channels subpage

Digital Workforce page

See how this concept powers autonomous operations.