How Shippers are Using Scenario Modeling to Lower Costs and Increase Speed
Today’s parcel market is more complex—and more consequential—than ever. Carrier pricing models are evolving rapidly, with new rules for pickups, minimum charges, and dimensional weight surcharges that can throw off even the most well-planned budgets. Meanwhile, service expectations continue to rise, and distribution networks are being pushed to handle more orders, in more places, with fewer resources.
For shippers, the pressure isn’t just to move faster—it’s to move smarter.
That means knowing which carrier contracts offer real value, how to configure your network to reduce time-in-transit without adding cost, and how to diversify your carriers in a way that protects margins at a per-shipment level. These aren’t isolated decisions—they’re all connected. And without a way to see the full picture, even small inefficiencies can add up quickly.
That’s where Intelligent Audit’s Modeling Tools come in.
Modeling That Works Across the Entire Parcel Strategy
Intelligent Audit’s Modeling Tools are designed to give shippers total visibility and control over the decisions that shape cost, service, and performance across the parcel lifecycle. When used together, Parcel Contract Comparison, Parcel Optimization, and Network Optimization form a connected framework for smarter decision-making—turning siloed data into real, actionable insight.
- Parcel Contract Comparison lets you simulate different contract proposals against your actual historical shipping data—so you can model savings scenarios, assess rate impacts, and make contract decisions with confidence.
- Parcel Optimization ensures your routing logic aligns with both cost and service goals—identifying misconfigurations, flagging deviations, and uncovering cost-saving opportunities at the lane level.
- Network Optimization helps evaluate and redesign your distribution footprint, enabling faster, more cost-effective fulfillment strategies through data-driven simulations.
The value doesn’t just lie in what each tool does—it’s in how they work together. By connecting network decisions with carrier strategy and shipment-level execution, shippers gain a single view of how every part of the operation impacts the whole.
Real-World Results from Smarter Modeling
Case Study #1: Over $1M in Monthly Savings with Parcel Optimization
A global tech company managing a high-volume parcel network needed better visibility into whether its cost-saving strategies were being followed. Using Intelligent Audit’s Parcel Optimization Tool, the company compared actual shipping data against planned logic and uncovered lane-level deviations, misaligned carrier selections, and missed cost-saving opportunities. These insights allowed them to refine internal processes and improve alignment between strategy and execution.
Result: With a clearer view into how shipments were being handled across the network, the company achieved over $1 million in monthly savings, improved transit times, and gained confidence in their ability to maintain long-term cost control.
Case Study #2: 27% Lower Shipping Costs and 1–2 Day Delivery for a Major Retailer
An apparel brand needed to meet Amazon-speed expectations without breaking the bank. Using the Network Optimization Tool to simulate their network given their goals, they strategically opened a new DC, implemented zone skipping, and adopted reverse logistics. The result?
Result: Saved $5.8M annually and achieved nationwide 1–2 day shipping—all while supporting both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar operations.
Case Study #3: Petco Delivers Faster Without Spending More
Faced with growing e-commerce demand, Petco used the Network Optimization Tool and what-if modeling to simulate fulfillment scenarios across its stores. By reallocating order volume and identifying smarter shipping zones, they shortened delivery windows without expanding infrastructure.
Result: Enabled next-day ground shipping, pinpointed ideal store upgrades, and improved agility—all without increasing costs.
Model Smarter, Execute Better
When costs are shifting, capacity is tight, and expectations are high, there’s no room for guesswork. Intelligent Audit’s Self-Serve Modeling Tools give shippers the ability to simulate, compare, and optimize strategies before they go live—so you can avoid costly surprises and drive smarter decisions at every level.
Ready to see how integrated modeling can improve your shipping performance?
