Top Packaging Solutions Provider Saved 720+ Hours with AI-Powered Freight Procurement

Manual freight sourcing processes blocked efficiency and scale

The packaging leader's freight procurement process was severely hampered by manual operations that limited their ability to engage with a broader carrier pool. Despite managing $50 million in ocean freight alone, their procurement cycle was driven by a single individual who spent countless hours on tasks that could be automated. 

The team was trapped in a cycle of manual rate entry, spreadsheet analysis, and email-based negotiations. For domestic freight, analyzing rates required approximately 14 hours per carrier, with carrier analyses performed annually. Import rate analysis was similarly time-consuming, with 90% of the work completed in disconnected spreadsheets. 

These manual processes created significant business challenges. The limited carrier engagement meant restricted visibility into market rates, resulting in higher freight costs. The lack of historical performance data and analytics capabilities made it nearly impossible to optimize lane-carrier allocation or conduct effective negotiations at scale. 

Our procurement team was drowning in spreadsheets and emails. We knew there had to be a better way to manage our freight spend, but we lacked the tools to make it happen.

- Director of Transportation

Saving 720+ hours with AI-powered freight procurement automation

End-to-end procurement process digitization

Pando's platform transformed the fragmented, manual procurement cycle into a streamlined digital process. The solution automated previously manual tasks like rate entry, analysis, and activation, creating a seamless workflow from RFQ to contracting with no processes outside the platform. This comprehensive approach eliminated the need for disparate systems and offline interventions.

The ability to handle everything in one platform has been game-changing for our team. We now have a level of visibility and control that was simply impossible before.

- Procurement Manager

AI-powered carrier allocation optimization

The platform's intelligent post-bid optimization capabilities revolutionized the carrier allocation process. By incorporating historical performance data and configurable business rules, the system could automatically generate optimal lane-carrier combinations. This resulted in a 20%+ improvement in performance scores while maintaining cost-effectiveness across the network.

Data-driven negotiation capabilities

With Pando's exhaustive scenario planning tools, the procurement team gained powerful analytics for effective negotiations. The platform enabled quick comparison of multiple allocation scenarios, helped identify opportunities for bundle discounts, and provided market insights that strengthened negotiating positions. This transformed vendor interactions from relationship-based to data-driven.

Integrated contract and rate management

The solution created a centralized repository for all contracts and rates, eliminating the disconnected systems that had previously caused inconsistencies. With configurable base freight calculations and low-code definition of accessorial charges, the platform ensured accurate pricing while reducing cost leakage and enhancing transparency across all freight modes.

Automated anomaly detection systems

Pando's AI-powered system automatically flagged rate anomalies and potential issues, allowing the team to focus on exceptions rather than reviewing every submission. This systematic approach to quality control significantly reduced errors and improved the overall integrity of the procurement process.

The automated anomaly detection has been particularly valuable. It catches issues we might have missed and ensures we're making decisions based on accurate data.

- Freight analyst

Scalable carrier network management

The digital platform enabled engagement with a much larger carrier pool, providing broader market coverage and competitive benchmarking. Automated communications and streamlined bidding processes made it possible to include more carriers without increasing administrative burden, resulting in better rates and service options.

Comprehensive performance analytics dashboard

The solution provided unprecedented visibility into carrier performance with customizable dashboards and reporting tools. By tracking key metrics like on-time delivery, service quality, and cost compliance, the team could make more informed decisions about carrier selection and lane assignments. 

The transformation of the packaging leader's freight procurement process through Pando's AI-powered platform demonstrates the significant impact that digitization and automation can have on supply chain operations. By replacing manual, disconnected processes with an integrated, intelligent system, the company achieved remarkable improvements in efficiency, cost management, and decision-making capabilities. 

The 720+ hours of annual productivity savings, 3-week reduction in procurement cycle time, and 20%+ improvement in performance scores are testament to the power of modern technology in addressing long-standing supply chain challenges. Most importantly, the team has shifted from reactive, manual processes to strategic, data-driven freight management, positioning them for continued success in an increasingly complex logistics landscape.