The Seam, a leading provider of agribusiness software and trading solutions, has formed the Cotton Technology Alliance in cooperation with the American Cotton Shippers Association, National Cotton Council and International Cotton Association.

Introduced during the 94th Annual ACSA Convention in Austin, TX, in May, the organization held its first official meeting on June 26. The Alliance is initially focused on data standards, which will have a positive impact on all sectors of the cotton industry.

“To bring much needed efficiency throughout the global cotton supply chain, we must interoperate between our respective systems,” said Mark Pryor, chairman and CEO at The Seam. “Data standards and modern technology play a critical role, and the cotton industry stands to benefit tremendously with a collaborative focus in this area. We are thrilled about working with those who are equally as driven to move the industry forward.”

The Cotton Technology Alliance will provide a neutral forum enabling industry software experts to collaborate by defining, extending and contributing to data standards, explore emerging technologies and communicate more closely around industry and regulatory changes.

Initial member companies of the Alliance include Cargill, Dunavant, EWR Inc., Louis Dreyfus Company, Mallory Group, PCCA, The Seam, Staplcotn, Three Rivers Cotton Systems, USDA AMS Cotton and Tobacco Program, and Wakefield Inspection Services.

The Alliance formation coincides with The Seam’s recent website overhaul, which features information on the company’s products – ranging from custom software for agriculture and commodities trading to blockchain initiatives, as well as a newsroom reporting on the latest trends within the industry.

“Our new website reflects who we are as a company and our role in developing innovative solutions for growing agribusiness companies,” said Pryor. “We are committed to moving the agriculture supply chain toward a sustainable, technology-driven future, and the root of that can be found within the transformation of our site.”