Why transportation spend optimization is all about balance

When most people talk about supply chains, the focus is usually on disruptions or delayed deliveries. What’s often overlooked are the less visible but equally critical factors like executive-level KPIs, rising freight and parcel costs, shifts in parcel/freight mix, and the impact of General Rate Increases (GRIs) from major carriers.

But these are exactly the levers operations and logistics leaders must monitor to stay competitive. Freight Audit and Payment (FAP) — especially augmented solutions that go beyond traditional freight audit and payment —play a central role by reducing transportation spend, streamlining complexity and delivering actionable insight.

Let’s explore how Freight Audit Payment Solutions are really about one thing: balance.

FAP: Evolving beyond audit and payment

Traditional FAP services focus on invoice audits and payment processing. But the next generation of FAP goes further by adding business intelligence, sustainability tracking, consultative services and financial clarity across modes.

At Infios, we define our Freight Audit and Payment solutions as a system that strikes a balance between:

• Cost control and performance
• Automation and human oversight
• Sustainability goals and service requirements
• Complexity reduction and strategic insight

When done right, FAP delivers bottom-line results that often fund broader transformation initiatives.

The four balancing acts of transportation spend

1. Shipper vs. carrier power dynamics

In the run-up to peak season, shippers work to become a “shipper of choice”—smoothing demand curves and improving processes to stay in favor.  

Meanwhile, carriers aim to reduce the number of partners in their network. Negotiation power shifts year to year. FAP solutions help quantify these dynamics and guide strategic sourcing decisions.

2. The cost-to-customer experience equation

Whether the endpoint is a business or consumer, nobody wants to overpay or be left in the dark about their delivery. Transparency around true shipping costs and performance is critical - especially as customer expectations around speed, price and visibility continue to climb.

3. Expectations vs. performance

As GRIs take effect, shippers must balance financial impact against service guarantees. Consumers now expect 1- to 2-day delivery as the norm. Failing to meet SLAs (service level agreements) isn't just a cost issue, it’s a brand reputation risk.

4. Operational timing vs. process maturity

Transportation needs shift throughout the year. During peak, speed and invoice visibility take precedence; during planning periods, the focus may turn to carrier diversification and contract modeling. A good FAP provider supports both agility and operational maturity.

What sets Infios apart: the five pillars of our FAP solutions

Infios’s approach to Freight Audit and Payment is built around five core goals: 

1. Reduced transportation costs – Identify overbilling, reclaim losses and renegotiate smarter contracts.
2. Streamlined financial processes – Improve invoice accuracy, reduce payment disputes and centralize audit data.
3. Stronger shipper-of-choice positioning – Use insights to drive carrier collaboration and performance.
4. Data-driven business intelligence – Transform logistics data into insights for procurement, planning and CX.
5. Elimination of non-value workflows – Automate repetitive tasks and remove bottlenecks from transportation finance.

Three high-impact focus areas

1. Business Intelligence for Transportation Spend

Optimization requires more than reduction—it requires precision. With FAP, you get full visibility into spend, service levels, and mode mix. The result: faster deliveries, lower costs, and improved customer satisfaction. It’s not just about reporting; it’s about making your transportation data work for you.

2. Transportation Spend Consulting (TSC)

Sometimes, balance feels out of reach. Our consulting services bridge the gap. TSC supports contract optimization, mode strategy, network modeling, and strategic sourcing across parcel, LTL, FTL, and international freight. It’s built to meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.

3. Sustainability Tracking

Most companies have ESG commitments; but tracking emissions isn’t simple. Infios FAP uses EPA and GLEC standards to calculate Scope 3 emissions and assist with Tier 2 sustainability reporting. We help align your environmental goals with performance metrics and compliance milestones.

Bringing balance to supply chain spend

At its core, Freight Audit and Payment is a strategic function; one that helps organizations align conflicting priorities: reducing costs, improving performance and simplifying the transportation finance lifecycle.

We deliver our FAP solutions through software, services and real-time intelligence that help shippers:

• Reduce true total transportation spend across all freight types
• Improve delivery performance and customer experience
• Strengthen supplier and carrier relationships
• Simplify global transportation spend management

Infios Freight Audit Payment solutions provide significant value to shippers due to the proven cost reductions and savings opportunities they uncover. The business analytics and transportation consulting services then take these benefits to the next level, by helping shippers to optimize their operations and transportation networks long term.