DL Freight - Blockchain-based Freight Management
Sector: Tertiary sector · Industry: Wholesale · Organisation: Walmart Canada · Maturity level: Production
Walmart Canada processes over 500,000 freight deliveries annually with 70 different transportation companies and struggled with significant data inconsistencies in invoicing and payments. By implementing the DL Freight blockchain platform from DLT Labs, the company established automated and transparent handling of freight orders, invoicing, and payments. The solution reduced discrepancies to just 2% and tracks approximately 200 data points per shipment, resulting in annual savings in the millions.
Documentation status
- Project status: Production
- Evidence: Evidence high
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026
Description
Walmart Canada employs over 400 truck carriers and handled thousands of freight invoices annually — a chaotic process with 70% faulty invoices, weeks-long clarification cycles, and high administrative costs. DLT Labs developed a Hyperledger-based blockchain platform (DL Freight) that automatically converts GPS tracking, tonnage data, and contract terms into invoices.
The core problem: Walmart Canada and its 70+ carriers used different systems for GPS tracking, order management, and invoicing. Since these systems were not synchronised, 70% of all invoices contained errors — differing mileage calculations, varying interpretations of delivery terms, missing data. Manual clarification took weeks. DL Freight (DLT Labs + Walmart Canada) solves this: trucks are equipped with GPS tracking; all stops, times, and kilometres are automatically recorded on the Hyperledger blockchain. Smart contracts automatically calculate the correct invoice amount based on current contract terms. Invoices are generated immediately. Result: 97% reduction in invoice disputes. Payment times reduced from weeks to hours. Over 400 trucks and 80+ carriers integrated. Walmart Canada and DLT Labs won the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors Award for Supply Chain Innovation 2020. The Linux Foundation Hyperledger Project documented the case as a showcase.
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
Logistics providers and retailers can almost eliminate invoice disputes with blockchain-based freight billing: GPS data flows directly into smart contract-based invoices — no manual entries, no misinterpretations of contract terms.
B2C — consumers perspective
End customers indirectly benefit from improved delivery times and reliability through optimised logistics processes. Increased transparency in the supply chain can lead to better product traceability.
Employees perspective
Employees are freed from time-consuming manual tasks such as invoice verification and data reconciliation and can focus on more strategic activities. The automated platform reduces stress through fewer conflicts and discrepancies with transport partners.
Benefits
General
- Automation significantly reduces manual errors and processing times, leading to annual savings in the millions.
- Real-time tracking of 200 data points per shipment enables precise monitoring and rapid problem identification.
- The transparent data platform improves collaboration among all parties involved in the supply chain.
B2B — organisations
- Companies achieve faster payment cycles and improved cash flow through automated invoicing and settlement.
B2C — consumers
- End customers benefit from more reliable deliveries through optimised logistics processes.
Employees
- Employees can focus on strategic tasks as repetitive manual activities are eliminated.
Challenges
General
- Integration into existing IT systems requires significant technical effort and expertise.
- Introducing new technologies can meet resistance from employees and partners, requiring training and change management.
B2B — organisations
- High implementation costs and complex integration may exclude smaller companies from using the system.
Employees
- Employees must adapt to new digital processes and need appropriate training to use the platform.
Technology foundation
DL Freight is based on the DL Asset Track platform from DLT Labs, which uses a distributed ledger-based solution with smart contracts. This technology enables real-time tracking, automatic verification and automation of freight processes without companies needing to invest in new technologies or retrain staff.
Implementation examples
Walmart Canada DL Freight Implementation
The company sought a solution for the inefficient manual processing of freight invoices, which led to high error rates and time-consuming disputes with transport service providers. The goal was to automate processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Walmart Canada implemented DL Freight to automate freight invoicing with 70 transport service providers for 500,000 annual shipments.
Before implementation, Walmart Canada manually handled over 500,000 freight deliveries annually, resulting in significant data inconsistencies and delays. In collaboration with DLT Labs, the DL Freight platform was implemented, operating as a distributed ledger-based solution with smart contracts. The system tracks around 200 data points per shipment and has reduced the error rate to just 2%. The solution was rolled out within 60 days and has been established as a national standard since the end of 2019.
Annual savings in the millions through automation and reduced discrepancies to 2% of shipments
The solution eliminated the high error rate in manual invoicing processes and reduced discrepancies from a high double-digit percentage to just 2%. Additionally, payment cycles were accelerated and transparency in collaboration with transport service providers was significantly improved.
Tags
Supply Chain, Smart Contracts, Automation, Transparency, Freight Management