References
Operating in 16+ countries, 250.000+ shipments optimized
The Freight Audit AI feature of the S2data Platform automates the verification of freight invoices, compares freight rates, surcharges, and indexes with planned costs, and links invoices to purchase orders, delivery notices/ASNs (DESADV), and goods receipts. Deviations are identified, documented, and clarified via workflow. At the same time, dashboards and KPIs create full cost transparency. In addition, the module calculates CO₂e according to EN 16258 and GLEC/ISO 14083 – as a basis for sustainability reporting and tenders.
Benefits
Added value from the initial planning stage
Freight costs can only be kept under control if every invoice is checked automatically, comprehensively, and in compliance with regulations. With Freight Audit AI, you can identify deviations from freight rates, fuel surcharges, tolls, and accessorials in seconds, link invoices to orders, loads, ASNs/goods receipts, and speed up disputes and recovery. A transparent KPI dashboard and CO₂e reporting make cost and sustainability impacts measurable—for lower TCO, clean compliance, and a stronger negotiating position in tenders.
Immediately visible cost drivers across the entire network
Better bargaining position for freight costs and rates
Less manual work, faster disputes
Product features
Our solutions for your transportation and network planning
The features of Freight Audit AI work together seamlessly: a rule-based rate card match, plan-to-actual comparison with order/load/ASN/goods receipt, automated deviation check including dispute workflow and recovery tracking, as well as KPI dashboards and CO₂e reporting. This turns invoice verification into a scalable, auditable process that makes costs more transparent, strengthens negotiations, and ensures measurable compliance.
- Rate/surcharge logic & freight rate matching
The system checks base rates, zones/distances, fuel surcharges, tolls, and accessories against stored rate cards for each carrier/lane/service level. Deviations are marked precisely for each line and stored with the contract status, calculation path, and supporting documents (B/L, BOL, POD) – the basis for fact-based disputes.
- Plan-to-actual comparison & document linking
Invoices are linked to orders, shipping/transport data, DESADV/ASN, and goods receipts to clearly assign quantities, weights, services, and SLA events. This allows late fees, detention/demurrage, or no-shows to be reliably validated.
- Automated deviation checking & dispute workflow
Rules identify rate mismatches, duplicate invoices, incorrect indexing (e.g., fuel), incorrect orders, unauthorized accessories, or freight class errors. An integrated workflow creates disputes with evidence packages and tracks recovery, cycle time, and hit rate.
- Dashboards, KPIs & BI‑Exports
Management views for costs per lane/carrier, deviation rates, recoveries, on-time/service errors, plus benchmarks. Normalized data supports sourcing, network design, and mode selection.
- CO₂e calculation
Emissions are calculated for transport chains (pre-carriage/main carriage/post-carriage, transshipment) in accordance with GLEC/EN 16258 and reported in compliance with ISO 14083 – including transparency of methodology (distance, mass/TEU, emission factors). - Regulatory and compliance updates
Optional parameters (e.g., CO₂-based toll components or new mobility package requirements) can be included in the cost check as a surcharge logic—useful for EU-wide fleet/carrier comparisons.
Success Story
Optimized pellet delivery for trading companies
An advanced planning system automates route scheduling, optimizes routes and driving times, integrates complex restrictions such as time windows, ramp capacities, and driver driving times, and reduces manual effort in transport planning. The solution increases efficiency, ensures SLA-compliant deliveries, and boosts customer satisfaction through precise planning. At the same time, it contributes to sustainability by avoiding empty runs, reducing mileage, and lowering fuel consumption—all in a single, AI-powered optimization.
IT-Integration
Easy and quick to integrate
Our cloud-based application offers direct and seamless integration, eliminates IT challenges, and uses API/EDI to securely transfer critical data needed to develop a customized transportation plan for your business. This plan is easily embedded into your ERP system, optimizing operational processes and increasing both the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your supply chain.
FAQs
How does Freight Audit AI differ from traditional invoice verification in ERP/TMS?
Traditional processes often only check totals against PO/shipment and rely on random sampling. Freight Audit AI compares each item against freight rate, indexes, and contract logic based on rules, links TMS/WMS data and ASN/goods receipt, and generates auditable evidence for disputes. This systematically identifies typical errors (incorrect rate application, unauthorized accessorials, duplicates) and increases the recovery rate—an approach that is repeatedly described as efficient in best practice guides and provider studies.
How much can you realistically save?
The range depends on the carrier mix, tariff complexity, and data quality. Published empirical values cite savings/recoveries of several percent through structured audits and significant process cost advantages. Full coverage (no random sampling) and clean data normalization are crucial—this allows overbilling patterns to be consistently prevented rather than retroactively repaired.
Do you support international features (tolls, CO₂ tolls, mobility package changes)?
Yes. Surcharge/tariff logic (e.g., dynamic tolls, CO₂ classification) can be stored as rules and integrated into the audit check. Changes from the EU mobility package or CO₂-based toll components can thus be transparently tracked and tested.
How does CO₂e calculation work – and why GLEC/EN 16258/ISO 14083?
Emissions are calculated in accordance with the established GLEC Framework (now guidelines for implementing ISO 14083) and EN 16258. This means that system boundaries, factors, and calculation methods are standardized and tender-ready (Scope 3 reference). For multimodal chains, pre-transport, main transport, post-transport, and transshipment are accounted for separately; the methodology and assumptions are disclosed in the report.
What are the benefits of the audit beyond the recovery of funds?
The greatest leverage lies in better decisions: normalized audit data is used to create carrier scorecards, lane and mode analyses, sourcing insights, and arguments for renegotiating rates. This transforms freight audit from a “control process” into a strategic tool for network and cost management.
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