The Austin, Texas-based logistics company Fleet Enable announced September 13 that it would begin offering free electronic data interchange (EDI) — the intercompany sharing of business documents under a standardized format — to freight transporters, allowing haulers to receive digital orders and send return responses without manual intervention.

Under the system, shippers will send electronic requests to carriers, which are then automatically accepted by Fleet Enable's EDI service. Once accepted, carriers can confirm deliveries, update shipment statuses and track information back to shippers without the need for manual intervention.

“We’re making this technology available at no charge as an investment in the industry and in our client partners,” said Fleet Enable CEO Krishna Vattipalli. “We’re doing this as a prime mover in the effort to automate transportation and logistics.”

The organization will provide no-cost EDI for two years with the offer lasting through the end of 2023.