The logistics industry is facing significant challenges, including delays in freight payments. To address this issue, Kleinschmidt Inc., a supply chain integration services provider, has announced a strategic investment in freight accounts receivable platform Upwell. The partnership aims to help trucking carriers get paid faster through automated invoice auditing and billing workflows.
The integration of Upwell's AI-powered audited billing platform with Kleinschmidt's managed integration network allows carriers to route EDI 210 freight invoices directly to Upwell for validation and processing. This eliminates the need for additional software integrations or changes to existing carrier systems.
By partnering with Upwell, Kleinschmidt is giving its carrier clients a streamlined way to get paid faster by ensuring that invoices are accurate and ready for approval when they reach the shipper. The partnership aligns with Kleinschmidt's goal of removing friction from the flow of data and payments across the supply chain.
Upwell's audited billing platform reviews freight invoices against shipper-specific billing requirements before they are submitted for payment. The audit engine verifies items such as proof-of-delivery documentation, reference numbers, lumper receipts, accessorial charges, shipment weights, contract rates, and fuel surcharge calculations.
Invoices that satisfy all requirements are submitted automatically, while exceptions are routed for human review. This approach reduces the risk of invoice discrepancies causing payment delays.
Charley Dehoney, CEO and co-founder of Upwell, notes that payment delays are often caused by invoice discrepancies rather than a lack of willingness to pay. By partnering with Kleinschmidt, Upwell can meet carriers where their data already is, validate it upfront, and help them get paid quickly without the usual back-and-forth.
Carriers such as Morehouse Trucking and Giltner Logistics have reported early success from using both platforms. The integration has automated several manual billing processes while improving payment speed from major customers.
The partnership underscores a growing trend in transportation technology: applying artificial intelligence and automation to back-office functions traditionally handled through manual processes. This shift is particularly relevant during the current freight downturn, where cash flow management is crucial for carriers.
This partnership highlights the growing importance of automation in transportation technology, particularly in back-office functions.
