From Delayed Freight Data to Operational Intelligence

The Custom Companies, Inc. is a leading full-service transportation and logistics provider offering a comprehensive suite of services, including less-than-truckload (LTL), truckload, final mile, warehousing, and brokerage solutions across all 50 states. Known for its customer-centric approach and operational flexibility, the organization supports a diverse range of shippers with time-sensitive, high-volume freight needs.

To support this scale, access to timely, accurate shipment data is critical. The Custom Companies partnered with The DDC Group to access data faster, build informed contingency plans, and optimize resources in near real time.

By deploying DDC Sync^® Capture, the front-end data acquisition module of the DDC Sync^® Data Platform, built to digitize and ingest freight documents, the organization shifted from manual, delayed workflows to data capture at the source, accelerating access to bill of lading (BOL) data by up to six hours.

This shift established a more responsive operating model, enabling faster decision-making, more precise routing, stronger partner coordination, and more efficient back-office execution.

Despite the size and complexity of its operations, The Custom Companies faced a fundamental constraint: the data needed to run the business was not available when it was needed.

Teams across the organization were making decisions based on information that lagged actual freight movement. This created a disconnect between what was happening in the field and what systems and teams could see.

Prior to implementing DDC Sync® Capture, BOL data was captured through multi-step workflows. Drivers manually keyed shipment data, which then had to be transmitted to and validated by the back office. As a result, data could only be used for decision-making hours later, when it no longer reflected current conditions.

This gap introduced friction across the operation. Planning teams relied on partial or historical shipment data, while dock loading and appointment-based freight became more difficult to manage. Third-party requests required additional coordination, and manual processes contributed to rising labor costs.

“All it takes is one driver to miskey a zip, and that could cost you thousands. You tend to overlook that information just because you don’t have the confidence level that you’d like.” — Joseph Klikas, Chief Experience Officer

Without timely, reliable access to BOL data, The Custom Companies could not consistently provide customers with up-to-date shipment information or make decisions using the most current data available.

To close this gap, The Custom Companies implemented DDC Sync® Capture, enabling drivers to capture shipment data at pickup using in-cab mobile OCR.

In this deployment, Capture was delivered through a native Android application for drivers and a web-based interface for operational teams, connecting frontline activity directly with back-office systems.

Rather than introducing a new layer of complexity, Capture was embedded into existing driver workflows, enabling data to be captured at the moment of pickup and made available to the organization in near real time.

By capturing data at the point of collection, The Custom Companies eliminated manual entry and accelerated data availability, improving both speed and reliability.

This approach addressed the immediate visibility challenge while establishing a more consistent and scalable foundation for how data flows across the business, enabling broader operational improvements.

By making shipment data available earlier in the process, The Custom Companies enabled downstream systems and teams to act on more complete information.

Intuitive In-Cab BOL Data Capture

Drivers capture BOLs in-cab, eliminating post-pickup data entry and delays.

Built-In Image Optimization

Automated quality controls ensure complete, high-quality captures, reducing image rejection rates and driving over 98% acceptance.

Rapid Data Availability

BOL data is captured and shared quickly across systems, with offline capability to support real-world driver environments.

Connected Systems and Workflows

Data is integrated into existing TMS and operational systems, making it available to dispatch, planning, and billing teams.

Built for Driver Adoption

An intuitive interface and daily feedback loops at launch supported optimal image capture and strong driver adoption without disrupting operations.

6 Hours Faster Data Availability

98%+ First-Time Accuracy

Earlier Access to Shipment Data

Earlier availability of BOL data enabled teams to make more informed decisions using more complete shipment information, supporting improvements in routing, planning, and day-to-day coordination.

Increased access to timely data reduced reliance on manual processes in the back office and improved how resources were utilized. More up-to-date shipment information also allowed teams to provide more accurate responses to customer inquiries, contributing to a reduction in inbound service requests.

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A More Responsive, Data-Driven Operation

By empowering drivers to capture BOL data at pickup using in-cab mobile OCR, The Custom Companies improved how data is collected and shared across the organization.

What was once delayed is now available earlier in the process, enabling teams to make decisions using more current and accurate shipment data.

As part of the DDC Sync® Data Platform, this approach supports more consistent data flow across operations and helps the organization respond more effectively to day-to-day demands.

“One of the greatest advantages within this new process we’ve created with DDC Sync is untethered access to the strength that data provides.” — Joseph Klikas

More Informed Load Planning

Earlier access to complete BOL data enabled more informed routing decisions.

Faster Billing Cycles

Shipment data available up to 6 hours earlier supported faster invoicing.

Fewer Customer Inquiries

More up-to-date shipment information reduced inbound service requests.

More Reliable Day-to-Day Execution

Teams operated using more current and accurate shipment data.