Inbound Logistics | September 2024

What sets Intelligent Audit apart is its use of advanced deep learning models, a sophisticated branch of machine learning that works by identifying patterns and anomalies within large datasets. While this technology is often associated with fields such as healthcare imaging, Intelligent Audit has successfully adapted it to the complex realm of transportation data. “Our customers’ transportation data is rich with patterns,” says CEO Hannah Testani. The company’s proprietary machine learning algorithms—an ensemble of auto-encoders, boosted decision trees, and LSTM (long short- term memory) frameworks—process these patterns, such as expected shipping volumes or weights, and detect deviations. When anomalies arise, the system determines whether to adjust its expectations or flag the issue for further investigation. Intelligent Audit’s anomaly detection capabilities extend far beyond traditional freight auditing. Not only do they identify anomalies, but they also provide contextualized information that explains why these anomalies occurred and what actions to take next. This approach ensures that potential issues—whether caused by technical glitches, human errors, or fraudulent activities—are promptly identified and addressed, preventing significant financial losses. For example, if a shipper incurs higher than usual costs for a shipment, Intelligent Audit’s system detects the discrepancy in real time, allowing for quick resolution and avoiding unnecessary expenses. “The system excels at pinpointing these variances and providing context, saying, ‘This doesn’t align. Let’s investigate,’” Testani notes. Intelligent Audit’s anomaly detection capabilities have proven particularly effective, such as in a case involving a global eyewear manufacturer. The system identified an unusual spike in returns, which turned out to be the

“These solutions enable us to be more effective, respond more quickly, and scale in a more efficient way, so we can add immediate value,” Testani says. Beyond technology, Intelligent Audit’s consulting practice offers strategic insights that shippers may not be able to access independently. The company’s approach to success goes beyond merely maximizing financial savings; it involves identifying the root causes of issues and collaborating with clients to resolve them. “We believe the true value lies in having clear, accurate data that you can trust to manage your supply chain,” Testani says. As technology continues to evolve, Intelligent Audit remains committed to innovating and addressing challenges that customers may not even be aware of yet. Körber Supply Chain Software: Transforming Data Into Actionable Intelligence Traditional freight bill audit and payment services have become “table stakes” in this business, says Deanna Kaufman, vice president of product management. Körber Supply Chain Software offers technology and services that add value to clients’ end-to-end supply chains. “We can offer, among other capabilities, decisioning support and supply chain or inventory optimization solutions to help shippers reduce their total cost of ownership,” she says. Körber’s Transportation Spend Optimization (TSO) solution enables shippers to holistically address multiple challenges, such as sourcing favorable carrier agreements, complying with sustainability regulations, and reducing costs. With Körber’s TSO solution, shippers are better positioned to streamline transportation operations and simplify freight cost management. And with its August 2024 acquisition of MercuryGate, a TMS provider, Körber’s solutions encompass order, warehouse, and transportation management.

Our system excels at pinpointing variances and providing context, saying, ‘This doesn’t align. Let’s investigate.’

HANNAH TESTANI CEO, Intelligent Audit

initial stages of an organized fraud scheme. The solution uncovered more than $1 million in fraudulent activity, prompting an FBI investigation. In addition to deep learning, Intelligent Audit utilizes natural language processing (NLP), a technology that combines computer science and artificial intelligence to enable computers to interpret and work with human language. NLP outperforms traditional optical character recognition (OCR) for speed and accuracy, making it capable of filling in missing information on invoices or responding to customer emails within minutes through a human-like chatbot interface. In partnering with clients, Intelligent Audit strives to bring the most advanced technology, recognizing that many customers may not yet be ready to invest in these systems themselves.

70 Inbound Logistics • September 2024

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