Mission Statement
A global shipping company relied on a manual process to monitor costs and support planning activities. While the approach was effective, it was time consuming, required significant clerical effort, and offered limited transparency or auditability. The presence of multiple operating entities across different countries added further complexity.
The mission of the project was to streamline and automate this process, improving efficiency, ensuring accuracy, and strengthening governance across international operations.
Tools Used
Xero - Web-based accounting software
Zimbra - Application for offline access to emails
Softmar ION -Cloud-based platform for vessel chartering and maritime logistics
Alteryx
Detailed Solution
The project followed a structured and iterative approach to automating shipping cost monitoring and planning:
System Integration
Connections were established between Alteryx and the source systems: Xero, Softmar ION, and Zimbra, using Continuum-built APIs and structured extraction workflows. This eliminated the need for manual browser downloads and email copying, ensuring data flowed directly and securely into the automation environment.
Workflow Automation
Repeatable workflows were developed in Alteryx to extract raw data consistently from each system. These workflows were designed to handle variations in file structures and formats, reducing clerical intervention and ensuring reliability in the data capture process.
Data Transformation
Alteryx workflows were configured to blend, cleanse, and consolidate the extracted data. Special attention was given to standardising inputs across multiple Xero entities and international jurisdictions, producing a unified and accurate dataset for reporting and planning.
Audit and Compliance Controls
Structured logging and audit trail functionality were embedded within each workflow. These controls provided full visibility of the data journey, from extraction to transformation, improving transparency and supporting compliance requirements.
Workflow Scheduling
Alteryx Server was used to schedule workflows at defined intervals, automating the ongoing production of shipping cost reports. This ensured timely, consistent delivery of accurate insights without reliance on manual processing.
Impact
Improved data accuracy and reliability
Significant time savings
Enhanced decision making capabilities
Optimised resource allocation
Conclusion
This solution transformed a slow, fragmented process into a fast, accurate, and auditable workflow, empowering stakeholders with reliable insights and freeing up staff for higher-value tasks. It exemplifies how automation can simplify complexity and elevate operational intelligence.