Temperature-controlled logistics leader achieves 87% automation success rate and 96% accuracy in securing requested delivery dates during pilot program
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–FourKites®, the leader in AI-driven supply chain transformation and pioneer of the Intelligent Control Tower™, today announced that United States Cold Storage (US Cold Storage), a leading temperature-controlled logistics provider with 38 facilities nationwide, has successfully deployed FourKites’ Digital Worker Alan to automate appointment scheduling operations.
The challenge was both universal and costly: appointment scheduling represents a multi-billion dollar inefficiency across the logistics industry, consuming significant staff time on repetitive, non-value-added coordination tasks. US Cold Storage recognized this process as a prime automation target, seeking ways to eliminate manual inefficiencies while enabling staff to focus on strategic customer service activities that drive competitive advantage.
During an eight-week pilot program, Alan transformed the appointment scheduling process by achieving an 87% success rate in booking appointments and 96% accuracy in securing requested delivery dates while processing over 600 shipments. The Digital Worker operates 24/7, handling 150+ appointments simultaneously compared to sequential manual processing, delivering immediate productivity gains estimated at 36-40 hours during the pilot period alone.
Breakthrough Performance in Complex Operations
Unlike traditional robotic process automation (RPA) that requires rigid scripts and breaks when conditions change, Alan leverages contextual AI to adapt to each retailer’s unique scheduling requirements without custom programming. The Digital Worker seamlessly manages email-based scheduling, web portals, and phone calls while providing continuous status updates and comprehensive audit trails.
“When we met with FourKites earlier this year in Chicago, we were very excited to hear the work they were doing with digital agents,” said Keith Mowery, Executive Vice President, Logistics & West Region, United States Cold Storage. “As soon as we heard about Alan, we knew there was an opportunity to work with FourKites and utilize Alan to really be more efficient and accurate in our scheduling process.”
The pilot program tested Alan across four major retailers, delivering immediate operational improvements that exceeded expectations. The Digital Worker begins working instantly when loads are created, eliminating the delays inherent in manual processing while maintaining the accuracy and relationship management that customers expect.
“The first individuals who interacted with the agent were actually amazed and very intrigued by this product and the idea of a digital agent and how—through utilizing technology—an appointment was just made with no human interaction,” said Mowery. “The group was very excited by how easy it was to use.”
Network-Powered Intelligence at Scale
What sets Alan apart from traditional automation is its foundation on FourKites’ real-time network that processes over 3.2 million supply chain events daily across all transportation modes. This collective intelligence enables Alan to understand the full context of logistics operations, making informed decisions that standalone automation tools cannot achieve.
“US Cold Storage’s success with Alan demonstrates how Digital Workers can transform logistics operations from manual coordination into intelligent orchestration,” said Mathew Elenjickal, CEO of FourKites. “When AI leverages our network’s collective intelligence, it doesn’t just automate tasks—it understands context, adapts to unique requirements, and delivers results that would be impossible with traditional RPA. This is how logistics evolves from reactive coordination to proactive value creation.”
Strategic Platform Built on Proven Partnership
Building on a successful multi-year partnership that began with shipment tracking, US Cold Storage’s adoption of Alan demonstrates the value of FourKites’ modular platform approach, where enterprises can progressively expand AI capabilities based on proven ROI. The existing relationship and FourKites’ comprehensive vision for supply chain transformation made them the natural choice for AI implementation.
This strategic approach positions US Cold Storage to continuously evolve their operational capabilities, leveraging AI to deliver differentiated service experiences while reducing costs and improving efficiency across their 38-facility network.
Industry-Leading AI Platform
Alan operates within FourKites’ Intelligent Control Tower™, recently recognized as an Accelerator in the Nucleus Research 2025 Control Tower Technology Value Matrix for its execution-centric capabilities and industry-leading usability. The platform’s Digital Workers transform how logistics providers manage operational complexity by combining real-time visibility with autonomous action, enabling organizations to shift from manual firefighting to strategic customer service excellence.
About United States Cold Storage
United States Cold Storage, Inc. (USCS), Camden, NJ, is a premier provider of public refrigerated warehousing (PRW) and related logistics services throughout the USA. With roots dating back to 1899, USCS has long served a diverse customer base with requirements ranging from primary storage to fully integrated third-party logistics. The company offers more than 424 million cubic feet of temperature controlled warehouse and distribution space in 40 facilities located in 13 states including California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. USCS is the third largest PRW Logistics provider in North America. It is a subsidiary of the U.K.’s John Swire & Sons Ltd.
About FourKites
FourKites®, the leader in AI-driven supply chain transformation for global enterprises and pioneer of the Intelligent Control Tower™, turns supply chain data into automated action. FourKites’ Intelligent Control Tower™ breaks down enterprise silos by creating a real-time digital twin of orders, shipments, inventory and assets. This comprehensive view, combined with AI-powered Digital Workers, enables companies to prevent disruptions, automate routine tasks and optimize performance across their supply chain. FourKites processes over 3.2 million supply chain events daily—from purchase orders to final delivery—helping 1,600+ global brands prevent disruptions, make faster decisions and move from reactive tracking to proactive supply chain orchestration.
For more information, visit https://www.fourkites.com/.
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