Your IBM i Integration and Shipping Super Duo: Kato Integrations and Varsity Logistics

Streamlining supply chain and system connectivity on one of the world’s most reliable platforms

July 1, 2020 Sponsored Content by Kato Integrations

In a world driven by speed, accuracy and digital transformation, businesses that run on IBM i (AS/400) platforms often find themselves at a crossroads: How can they maintain the stability and reliability of their core systems while embracing the integration and logistics demands of modern supply chains?

Enter your new super duo: Kato Integrations and Varsity Logistics—two powerhouse providers exclusively focused on IBM i systems, combining cutting-edge integration expertise with best-in-class shipping and transportation software.

Together, they help IBM i-driven companies crush data silos, automate logistics and unlock major operational gains. If your business is looking to modernize without compromise, this dynamic partnership is the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Powering Progress on IBM i

IBM i systems are known for their unmatched reliability, security and longevity. From manufacturers and distributors to large-scale retailers and healthcare providers, thousands of companies rely on IBM i to run mission-critical operations. Yet, these organizations often face integration challenges, especially when legacy applications must talk to cloud platforms, customer portals or modern shipping tools.

That’s where Kato Integrations and Varsity Logistics come in. These two companies were built to support IBM i businesses. They understand the platform’s architecture, its strengths and—more importantly—its gaps. By combining Kato’s integration expertise with Varsity’s advanced shipping automation, businesses gain a seamless, end-to-end solution rooted entirely in IBM i.

Meet Kato Integrations: IBM i Integration Made Easy

Kato Integrations exists for one reason: to solve complex IBM i integration problems with elegant, maintainable solutions. Whether it’s RESTful APIs, XML data exchanges or secure third-party connections, Kato specializes in connecting your IBM i to the outside world—safely, quickly and reliably.

At the core of their offering is RPG API Express, a robust integration toolkit that empowers companies to create and consume web APIs directly from their RPG business logic—no middleware or outside servers required. This tool transforms the IBM i into a modern integration powerhouse.

What Kato Delivers:

Real-Time API Connectivity – Expose or consume APIs with ease using native RPG.
Security and Compliance – Built-in TLS, OAuth2 and detailed logging keep your data protected.
Support for Complex Use Cases – Whether integrating with CRMs, ERPs or external vendor portals, Kato’s RPG experts know how to make it work, without brittle code.
Expert RPG Developers – Their U.S.-based team works alongside your staff, extending your IT department with proven IBM i and RPG expertise.

Kato Integrations doesn’t offer band-aid fixes. They deliver long-term, scalable solutions that future-proof your integrations and make IBM i a fully modern player in your tech stack.

Meet Varsity Logistics: Shipping Software Purpose-Built for IBM i

Varsity Logistics is the leading provider of native multi-carrier parcel and freight shipping software for the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems. Since 1989, Varsity has helped manufacturers, 3PLs, retailers and healthcare providers streamline shipping operations, while maximizing efficiency, reducing costs and providing complete control, all within a single platform.

With over 1,000 IBM i distribution centers using Varsity daily, their software powers some of the world’s most efficient logistics networks.

Varsity’s Suite Includes:

ShipSoft Parcel – Powers parcel logistics with automated rate shopping, certified carrier compliance, and modular control, enabling more advanced functionality than a standard transportation management software (TMS).
ShipSoft Freight – Provides LTL, truckload and rail capabilities with powerful rating, mode selection, carrier optimization tools and module customization, designed for high-performance freight operations.
ShipAudit – Automatically detects shipping overcharges, duplicate bills and invalid fees while crediting all recovered costs directly back to your company without relying on a third-party auditor.
Transdata – Provides instant access to organized, real-time and historical shipping data, turning critical information into actionable insights and empowering better decisions across your supply chain.

Why IBM i Users Choose Varsity:

IBM i (AS/400) Power Focus – Varsity is the only holistic shipping solution built specifically for the IBM i. Backed by proven reliability and decades of experience, the Varsity team has deep AS/400 expertise to help you optimize your unique supply chain goals.
Flexible Modules – Customize your shipping solution with a flexible suite of parcel and freight modules designed to fit your specific operational needs.
Feature-Rich – Varsity’s modular software delivers powerful functionality to meet current shipping demands and scale with your future growth.
Seamless Integration – Varsity Logistics seamlessly integrates with all major IBM i enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS) and operations management systems (OMS), as well as your existing homegrown and custom systems.

Varsity’s comprehensive solution streamlines operations, maximizes control and significantly reduces costs to give you confidence and a competitive advantage for parcel and freight shipping success.

The Superpower of Seamless Integration

Now imagine what happens when you pair the integration muscle of Kato with the shipping strength of Varsity.

Instead of relying on slow, manual steps or brittle homegrown connectors between your order system and shipping modules, Kato Integrations enables smooth, real-time data flow between your ERP and Varsity’s TMS solutions—all from within the IBM i ecosystem.

Use Cases of Kato + Varsity in Action:

Order to Shipment Automation – As soon as an order is entered into your IBM i system, Kato ensures the data flows directly into Varsity for optimal carrier selection, label printing and shipment tracking.
Cloud Platform Syncing – Want to feed shipping updates back to a cloud-based customer portal or CRM like Salesforce? Kato bridges that gap securely and in real time.
Vendor Compliance – Need to automate XML or API communications with large retailers or logistics partners? Kato ensures Varsity can exchange data exactly as required.

This integration enables full visibility, faster throughput and fewer errors, without leaving the IBM i environment or sacrificing security.

The Benefits of Combining Kato + Varsity

1. End-to-End Automation
No more swivel-chair operations or data re-entry. Orders, shipments, tracking and analytics all flow together in a single, connected system.

2. Consistent Data, Fewer Errors
Integration errors cost time and money. Kato ensures the clean and validated transfer of data between systems. Varsity ensures compliance and accuracy in every shipment.

3. Cost Reduction and Speed
Reduce labor costs, lower shipping rates and increase processing speed with automation that spans from order to delivery.

4. Unified IBM i Expertise
Both companies operate exclusively within IBM i. That means faster implementation, fewer surprises and smarter solutions tailored to your platform.

5. Future-Proof Solutions
With Kato’s RPG API Express and Varsity’s modular software, your system can easily evolve with changing customer demands, new platforms and new partners.

Ready to Power Up?

If your company is running on IBM i and ready to modernize operations without disrupting the systems you trust, it’s time to team up with Kato Integrations and Varsity Logistics.

Together, they eliminate bottlenecks, automate shipping and ensure your IBM i environment runs stronger than ever, end-to-end.

Let’s Get Started

Visit KatoIntegrations.com to explore RPG API Express and talk with a real IBM i integration expert.
Learn more about Varsity Logistics and discover how smarter shipping begins with software built for your platform.

Kato + Varsity: Your IBM i Super Duo.
Because running smarter starts with connecting smarter.