EBE Technologies adds optical character recognition feature to its mobile solution

Carriers can respond to shippers’ requests more quickly and with fewer resources, thanks to an optical character recognition (OCR) feature recently added to EBE Technologies’ SHIPSMobile enterprise solution.

The OCR function speeds up the billing process by replacing manual data entry. Carrier office staff can review images for accuracy through a web-based verification portal and then insert them in the company’s transportation management system (TMS). A status check is conducted on required information, and if correct, the trip is invoiced. If a status exists that is not within standard, the trip is moved into an exception queue for review by a biller.

EBE Technologies, the leader in transportation enterprise software solutions, developed the feature to help carriers meet the changing needs of the industry.

“Shippers are demanding images and status updates immediately. To meet those requirements, carriers must implement solutions outside the framework of traditional dispatching systems,” EBE President Larry Kerr said.

The portal is appealing to carriers because office workers can use it without being familiar with a carrier’s transportation management system (TMS), and training only takes minutes. Plus, staff can work remotely without a virtual private network (VPN) or another advanced network connectivity.

“Many dispatching solutions require extensive network connectivity, which limits staff working remotely, and many interfaces require training to enter data properly. By utilizing an integrated mobile OCR solution, carriers can meet shippers’ demands with a less skilled labor force and provide the flexible work environment to attract needed labor,” Kerr explained.

EBE says an early adopter of SHIPSMobile OCR is reporting billing an average of less than five minutes from delivery. In addition, their billing department has fewer team members, and their TMS knowledge workers are focused on trips that have exceptions. Ultimately, the SHIPSMobile OCR has allowed them to lower cost, improve billing speed and accuracy, and decrease driver turnover.