Find out how the transition from people-led outsourcing to tech-led in-house FAP management is reshaping the freight spend landscape.
Over the years the practice of outsourcing freight audit and payment (FAP) processes has gained considerable popularity in the world of logistics. On the surface, this approach seems highly attractive, promising substantial benefits in terms of cost reduction, improved focus on core activities, and access to specialized expertise. However, beneath these apparent advantages, there are hidden costs and associated risks that companies must carefully consider.
Outsourcing FAP used to be the go-to strategy for many companies, but it's now considered a thing of the past for several reasons. Firstly, the traditional people-led outsourcing model often involved third-party providers who lacked the efficiency and precision of modern technology. With advancements in automation and data analytics, companies are realizing the potential to manage these processes in-house, using tech-led solutions that are faster, more accurate, and cost-effective. This shift allows businesses to have greater control over their financial operations, reduce errors, and adapt to changing market conditions more swiftly.
In this blog post, we'll delve into why this shift is happening, the risks associated with outsourcing Freight Audit and Payment, and how technology, specifically AI and ML, is enabling seamless in-house management while maximizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Freight audit and payment has become strategically integral to the supply chain execution process today. It's no longer just a cost-cutting measure; it's a key driver of supply chain efficiency and competitiveness. Freight spend visibility, which is a fundamental aspect, enables companies to make informed decisions, optimize routes, negotiate better rates with carriers, and enhance overall supply chain visibility.
In a fast-paced and dynamic business environment, having a powerful strategy is essential for 100% freight spend visibility across channels, carriers and modes enabling organizations to stay competitive and meet customer demands. The need for actionable insights from freight payment data to optimize logistics strategies is growing. Globalization, better regulatory compliance, improved carrier relationships with timely payments and reduced carbon footprint by moving to a paperless organization are some of the drivers for this paradigm shift.
Therefore, as companies recognize the strategic value of Freight Audit and Payment in their supply chain operations, they are increasingly moving away from traditional outsourcing models in favor of tech-led, in-house solutions, ensuring their competitiveness and adaptability.
There are several risks to consider when making a decision on whether or not to outsource your freight audit and payment operations. We’ve listed a few of the major ones below:
Keeping these risks in mind along with the growing awareness of the advantages of moving it in-house, global enterprises are turning to technology to streamline and automate their freight audit and payment processes. Moving FAP in-house also might not be as difficult as you think. Today, Transportation Management Solution (TMS) vendors offer freight audit and payments as a part of their extended capabilities.
To seamlessly bring this in-house without increasing your workforce and resources, you can leverage the power of AI and ML technologies. By automating tasks, improving accuracy, and providing valuable insights, AI and ML empower businesses to take their FAP operations to the next level. Here are five ways you can use AI to optimize your processes:
To stay competitive and responsive in the ever-changing logistics landscape, integrating AI and ML into your in-house Freight Audit and Payment is a strategic move. It ensures better cost control, optimized operations, and improved supply chain visibility. For practical insights on implementing AI in this process, you can refer to this informative blog.
The shift from outsourcing Freight Audit and Payment to managing it in-house, supported by AI and ML technology, represents a significant evolution in supply chain management. By embracing these changes, you can gain better control, visibility, and cost-effectiveness in your processes. As numerous successful companies have demonstrated, the benefits of this shift extend beyond just cost savings to encompass strategic positioning and improved operational efficiency. The future of this process is undoubtedly tech-led and in-house, enabling businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing supply chain landscape.