4PLi

4PLi is a term used in logistics and supply chain management to describe an integrated fourth-party logistics approach focused on platform-enabled coordination of a client's entire supply chain. The "i" in 4PLi commonly signals integration or intelligent platform capabilities, though usage varies by organization.

Typical 4PLi activities include designing the supply chain network, selecting and managing multiple 3PL providers, consolidating procurement, and delivering end-to-end visibility and control through IT systems. A 4PLi often acts as a single point of contact for the client and assumes responsibility for governance, performance management, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.

Technologies under a 4PLi model usually include transportation and warehouse management systems, order-fulfillment platforms, data analytics, and interoperable APIs that enable real-time data exchange between partners. The goal is to optimize cost, service levels, and resiliency by coordinating assets, information, and cash across the network.

The term is not uniformly standardized and may be used differently in various regions. Some sources treat 4PLi as a specific vendor or product line that provides platform-based 4PL services, while others use it descriptively to highlight the integration platform component of a 4PL arrangement.

Related topics include 3PL, 4PL, and supply chain management.