Day & Ross reclaimed millions automating document processing
Manual document processing and data entry impacted Day & Ross' operational efficiency, delaying drivers and terminal throughput.
Pythian developed a Vertex AI document automation solution with better data accuracy than a traditional OCR. Day & Ross is scaling the AI solution across all their terminals in North America.
Day & Ross automated document processing with AI precision at scale.
To stay ahead in the competitive logistics landscape, Day & Ross recognized the need to eliminate manual data entry processes that slowed down their operations.
By partnering with Pythian, Day & Ross replaced manual data entry and reactive terminal bottlenecks with their sophisticated document AI solution. Utilizing Google Cloud Vertex AI, Pythian automated the manual process of entering documents, often in a variety of formats. Day & Ross now processes over 120+ documents per truck in under 60 seconds. The AI development solution significantly reduced latency and accelerated processing time, Day & Ross is scaling this solution across all North American terminals.
From manual data entry to AI-driven document precision at scale
Manual entry caused delays in shipments—impacting customers
Manual paperwork processing posed a challenge for the real-time data features of the new TMS, creating significant freight backlogs and delays.
Complex formats inhibited processing efficiency
Inconsistent document formatting, including handwritten and upside-down notes, made it nearly impossible to process data quickly without a sophisticated solution.
Terminal bottlenecks impacted driver productivity
Trailer loads were frequently held back at terminals because of the time required for manual data entry, resulting in dwell times of up to 2 hours.
Operational growth was limited by staff
The dependency on manual data entry meant that scaling operations required a linear increase in headcount, creating a barrier to exponential growth.
Scalable multimodal extraction with Gemini 1.5 Pro
Pythian leveraged Google Cloud and Gemini 1.5 Pro to automate data extraction from scanned bills of lading (BoL). This solution accommodates a range of inputs, including video and images, rather than just predictable text. By validating data against labeled datasets, Pythian ensured freight processing continued with persistent, accurate information. This automation is directly integrated with the company's TMS to create real-time shipment data.
AI landing zone
After a successful proof of concept, Pythian created a new Google Cloud landing zone to transform the tool into a business-ready system. This scalable configuration of Google Cloud products allowed Day & Ross to process thousands of documents daily across their entire network. The architecture ensured high-volume terminals remained efficient without requiring additional manual intervention. The production-ready environment provided the foundation for all future AI innovations at Day & Ross.
Integrated extracted data directly into the TMS
Pythian facilitated the direct flow of extracted document data into the existing transportation management system (TMS) to eliminate manual entry. This seamless integration ensures shipment details are updated in real-time, providing immediate visibility for dispatchers and customers alike. By bridging the gap between raw document scans and core business software, the solution minimizes delays in the freight lifecycle. This connectivity transforms static paperwork into actionable digital assets that drive the entire logistics chain.
Future-proofing logistics with a robust AI framework
Pythian designed a flexible framework that scaled the AI solution to enable the rapid deployment of new document models, such as invoices or customs forms, without disrupting existing workflows. By utilizing Google Cloud’s elastic infrastructure, the system maintains high performance even during peak seasonal volumes. This foundation not only optimized current freight processing but also provided a repeatable blueprint for company-wide AI adoption.
Day & Ross scales AI solution across North American terminals
Pythian is scaling the automated document processing solution—optimizing computer vision for 100% accuracy when scanning documents that are in a variety of formats.
Day & Ross is successfully industrializing Pythian's AI solution across their entire logistics network in North America. This scale-up is fundamentally shifting the company’s operational model from manual, reactive data entry to a proactive, automated workflow. The solution now handles the immense complexity of diverse document layouts, handwritten notes, and high-volume terminal traffic without skipping a beat. As a result, Day & Ross has unlocked a repeatable framework for innovation that continues to drive efficiency as their shipment volume grows.
$1M+
Savings reclaimed in operational time
92%
Decrease in driver dwell time
120
Documents processed per minute
With support from Pythian's seasoned AI experts, Day & Ross leveraged innovative AI technologies to automate a previously manual document process. We expect the Pythian AI experts will continue to serve a critical role as we continue to innovate at Day & Ross.
Jeff Schnarr
Chief Information Officer (CIO), Day & Ross
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