The engine for trade finance

The Marco Polo Platform is an open and distributed enterprise software platform that enables banks and corporates to streamline and automate their global trade and working capital finance activities more effectively. It is a distributed platform, and as such, it can be run, customised, and deployed by each user. Once initiated, platforms connect and exchange data via the DLT-powered network, creating an interoperable “network-of-platforms” that can harness the Platform components found on this page.

 

Multiple options for multiple parties

Banks
As a bank you can access Marco Polo through the Marco Polo Platform allowing you to access different trade finance solutions and modules provided as SaaS, as a dedicated managed instance, or hosted by the corporate.

Corporates
As a corporate, you have multiple options to access Marco Polo. You can use the full enterprise offering for working with various banks, and legal entities and utilising a range of solutions. These can be provided as SaaS, as a dedicated managed instance, or hosted by the corporate. You can also use the Marco Polo ERP embedded directly in your ERP system providing a single interface to trade and working capital finance solutions. Alternatively, the lightweight SaaS web-based portal purpose-built for less frequent users and SMEs could be more suitable. Making use of a simple UI and functionality with fewer complexities than the full platform.

Technology & Service Providers
The extended trade ecosystem, including insurers, logistics providers and B2B Networks can access the Marco Polo Network through dedicated APIs allowing them to connect with the banks and corporate clients.

The difference between Marco Polo and other trade finance platforms

The ‘destination’ network model used by legacy providers places a hard limit on its ability to achieve mass adoption on a global scale. The ‘distributed’ network model utilised by the Marco Polo Network eliminates these technical and business model limitations, enabling it to meet all essential requirements simultaneously. The approach is allowing for the mass adoption required for global scalability in a manner never before possible.

Destination Platform

The legacy “destination” platform and network model has technical and business limitations such as:

  • Users visit a single, central, branded destination to transact.
  • Requires bespoke integration for each new connection.
  • Vendor owns and controls all data.
  • Major data custody and data privacy issues.
  • A single network operator equals a single point of failure.
  • Cannot be customised for each user.
  • Limited deployment options.
  • Users cannot build their own solutions or integrations.

 

Distributed Platform

The “distributed” platform model eliminates these technical and business model limitations while bringing the following benefits:

  • Platform is distributed and run by each user.
  • A single integration to connect to the entire network.
  • Network owned by participants.
  • No one single party owns the distributed network.
  • Allows each user to control and manage its own data.
  • Achieve meaningful differentiation between other users.
  • Enhances users existing offerings and brand.

 

World’s first ERP-embedded working capital App

The Marco Polo ERP App is the world’s first ERP-embedded application focussing on working capital and trade finance and leveraging blockchain technology. Oracle NetSuite has awarded it with the Suitecloud Innovation of 2019.

We are working with different ERP providers such as Oracle NetSuite, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics to allow companies to get direct access to multiple working capital finance solutions directly from within their ERP systems. As a result, customers can reduce administrative costs and risks, easily integrate with their financing partners and make use of a broader range of funding opportunities.

With the rising need in simple access and efficient management of trade and working capital finance, the Marco Polo ERP App is a crucial solution for corporates to inject liquidity in their supply chain and optimise their Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) or Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) metrics.

R3’s Corda blockchain: The ideal technology protocol to power global trade

Today, Corda is used by over 300 financial institutions and technology companies worldwide. The Corda blockchain technology makes it possible for participants in the Marco Polo Network to achieve unprecedented levels of connectivity with other members and networks while preserving data ownership and privacy levels expected for financial transactions.

Once the members’ nodes are set up on the Corda Network, they can start storing data securely and exchanging data and assets with trusted business partners. Information is shared seamlessly across the network, and the protocol provides inherent identity management, automated contract enforcement, and asset verification and tracking. The resulting transparency, efficiency and speed supplied to the participating banks, corporates and service providers, allows every user to seize more business opportunities.