As part of the partnership, the Canadian transportation firm will move a significant part of its digital infrastructure from on-premises to Google Cloud's global network

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The partnership will deliver new solutions for CN's employees, customers, and partners. (Credit: Canadian National Railway Company)

Canadian National Railway Company (CN) has announced a seven-year partnership with Google Cloud to modernise railway services for enhanced customer experiences.

The partnership will combine CN’s expertise in the transportation and logistics industry and Google Cloud’s technology capabilities to improve the North American railway system.

The collaboration is aimed at establishing a new standard for the railway system to improve customer experiences across industries – from materials and resources, to manufactured products, to consumer goods.

It will enable CN to transform its supply chain as part of digital scheduled railroading and modernise its technology infrastructure in the cloud.

To simplify its IT estate and reduce product delivery lead times, the transportation company will migrate a significant part of its digital infrastructure, including SAP applications, from on-premises to Google Cloud’s global network.

CN executive vice president and chief information and technology officer Dominique Malenfant said: “Our partnership with Google Cloud is central to our strategic plan, and reinforces our commitment to digitalising scheduled railroading and building the premier railway of the 21st century by investing in technologies that deliver high-quality service to customers, improve safety, and create capacity.

“We are excited to work together to drive further innovation across our company and support our customers, employees, and supply chain partners.”

As part of the partnership, CN will develop an intuitive digital platform to provide enhanced visibility for customers and supply chain partners into the logistics journey of planning, shipping, tracking and payment.

The digital platform will be powered by Google Cloud’s artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools.

The partnership will also deliver new solutions for CN’s employees, customers, and partners, including simplified ordering and automated tracking to improve predictive maintenance capabilities.

Google Cloud Canada managing director Jim Lambe said: “The transportation and logistics industry is evolving rapidly to build more resilient, responsive supply chains that adapt to global events and provide customers more visibility and flexibility.”