IDP blog from ExB

Automated cost center allocation for operational invoices
In accounting, account assignment is one of those tasks that occurs daily but rarely adds real value: selecting accounts, assigning cost centers, checking receipts, obtaining approvals. In logistics in particular, these tasks are made more difficult by the enormous variety of different invoice types—from workshop and leasing invoices to telecommunications costs and facility services.

Cross-dock processes rarely fail because of forklifts, but because of paperwork. When CMRs, delivery notes, and ASNs aren’t reconciled within seconds, ramps get blocked, and operations slow down. ExB processes cross-dock documents in real time and reports verified results directly back to the TMS, ensuring uninterrupted flow and faster cycle times.

Manual document processes are a real productivity killer. They tie up staff, cause errors, and slow down digital workflows. This is exactly where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in—with ready-to-use, domain-specific solutions that save time and money.

The CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) regulation will come into full effect in 2026. For many companies, this means new documentation requirements, new data requirements, and a significant increase in operational costs. Logistics, customs, and compliance departments in particular face the challenge of correctly recording large amounts of CO₂-related information and preparing it in a way that ensures accurate reporting. This article explains what CBAM means in practice — and how the new mandatory process can be efficiently automated.

Transport invoices are essential in logistics—and one of the most time-consuming tasks. Each invoice has its own structure, pricing logic, and surcharge models, and every single line must be correct before approval.
By the end of the month, this can easily mean 300 invoices on the table. Even routine cases must be checked thoroughly, creating a heavy workload and slowing financial processes.

Digitalization is transforming the logistics industry right now. For a mid-sized logistics company with over 200 employees and four locations across Germany, this meant facing a central challenge: moving away from paper piles and manual processes toward efficiency, scalability, and modern technology.

Welcome to the second edition of our “3 Questions to ExB” series – the format in which we provide clear, concise answers to our customers’ most frequent practical questions. After the great interest in the first part, where we covered the basics of AI in logistics, we now take a step deeper into implementation.

Digitalization is transforming the logistics industry profoundly – not someday, but right now. A mid-sized logistics company with more than 200 employees and four locations across Germany therefore faced a central challenge: an end to paper piles and manual processes – and a move toward efficiency, scalability, and modern technology.

Customs documents are among the most complex and error-prone types of paperwork in logistics. They are multilingual, contain tables, free text, stamps, and signatures – and appear in countless formats. For many companies, this means manual verification, high effort, and long processing times. Yet there is already a solution that not only works faster but also more accurately – and can be implemented without months-long IT projects. The answer is: Intelligent Document Processing (IDP). And ExB brings this technology where it is needed – directly into your processes.