How a Fresh Produce Giant Used Bill of Lading Software and AI-Powered Automation to Modernize Logistics

In the fast-paced world of fresh produce distribution, where perishable goods rely on speed, precision, and end-to-end supply chain automation, legacy systems and manual workflows can lead to costly slowdowns and data gaps.

One of the largest companies in the produce supply chain management industry found itself between old paper-based processes and the growing need for real-time logistics automation solutions.

That’s when they turned to PackageX for its leading AI logistics solutions.

The Problem: Manual BOL Entry Slowing Down Supply Chain Velocity

This industry leader was heavily reliant on physical bills of lading (BOLs), which were manually entered into a decades-old IBM AS/400 system and lacked bill of lading automation capabilities. 

The process wasn’t just labor-intensive, it was error-prone, inconsistent, and incompatible with the scale and agility required by modern logistics.

Key Pain Points Included:

• Manual data entry of physical BOLs into IBM AS/400
  Operations staff were bogged down by paperwork, typing in each detail, line by line, from truck deliveries.
  
• No digital trail, electronic bill of lading support, or audit-ready system.
  There was no way to ensure consistency between the physical and digital copies of the BOLs.
  
• Lack of driver compliance for photo uploads
  Drivers weren’t consistently capturing or submitting required images like seal numbers, reefer temperatures, and load locks.
  
• Rigid systems made post-shipment edits difficult.
  There was no user-friendly way to update or edit BOLs after the load left the dock.

The Solution: AI-Powered BOL Digitization & Integration

PackageX brought a suite of AI logistics tools designed to solve these exact issues, centered around computer vision, system integration, and mobile-first interfaces.

This approach reflects how logistics automation solutions and supply chain automation solutions can create unified, error-free operations across transportation workflows.

Digitizing Physical BOLs with AI + Vision

Using PackageX’s advanced computer vision technology and AI-powered logistics solutions, warehouse staff can snap a photo of a BOL from a tablet or smartphone.

The system then extracts critical data, shipment IDs, dates, weights, carrier names, temperatures, and seal numbers. It syncs it into the company’s systems, enhancing real-time inventory management and supply chain visibility.

Tablet/Kiosk Entry + Mobile App for Drivers

To increase real-time data capture, PackageX proposed two user-friendly entry points:

• A tablet or kiosk at the shipping dock for team members to enter or confirm BOL data.
  
• A mobile app for drivers to digitize BOLs, upload photos, and record condition data (reefer temps, seals, load locks).

This mobile-first approach is part of PackageX’s broader supply chain automation software strategy, removing bottlenecks in freight documentation. 

eBOL Support & Post-Ship Edits

To future-proof their logistics stack, PackageX also enabled:

• Full support for electronic Bills of Lading (eBOLs), enabling paperless logistics.
  
• Post-shipment BOL edits within the transportation management system (TMS) allow updates or exceptions to be logged and reconciled digitally.
  

Business Impact: Faster Freight, Cleaner Data, Real-Time Visibility

• Time savings: Eliminated hours of manual data entry across facilities.
  
  
• Driver accountability: Ensured consistent image documentation and compliance.
  
  
• Audit readiness: Digital trails of BOLs are now complete, accurate, and searchable.
  
  
• Legacy compatibility: IBM AS/400 integration ensures no need for rip-and-replace. The integration bridges traditional platforms with next-gen Bill of Lading software and AI-powered automation.
  
  
• Future-proofing: Ready for full eBOL adoption as standards evolve.
  
  

The Bigger Picture

This transformation is more than just tech, it's a shift in how this fresh produce enterprise manages critical freight documentation. By eliminating paperwork, automating data capture, and integrating with existing systems, the company has made a significant leap toward AI-powered logistics, where visibility, compliance, and speed are now standard.

For industries that rely on perishable goods, efficient logistics is non-negotiable. This project demonstrates how pairing vision intelligence with flexible platforms like PackageX can deliver real-time supply chain optimization without overhauling the entire tech stack.

Want to explore how your business can digitize BOL workflows with logistics automation solutions designed for speed and scale? Let’s Connect!