"Not only do we have more time, but what does that mean? Stress goes down. Confidence goes up. Trust with the information we process and file. Those are the things that we've noticed. I'm 130% convinced that our folks here at the office, they will never go back to the way we did business five years ago. We went from [processing entries] in 0-10 minutes... to 0-3 minutes. That's where you start seeing efficiency and effectiveness in our services"

How OF Group Transformed Four Generations of Customs Brokerage Excellence with Intelligent Document Automation:

In this DocUnlock customer interview, Oscar Fernandes (Director and Licensed Customs Broker) of OF Group shares how DocUnlock's intelligent document processing revolutionized their fourth-generation, 96-year-old customs brokerage operation spanning Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico - serving the nation's largest port by volume.

‍

KEY INSIGHTS & BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS:

→ Seamless Customer-Invisible Implementation

‍OF Group achieved complete automation without any customer disruption. As Oscar emphasizes: "At the end of the day, the customer never [had to change anything]. So this was 100% easy for them." Different customers continue sending documents in their preferred formats, while DocUnlock handles all variations through personalized workflows.

→ 79% Operational Coverage Achieved

‍"We are using DocUnlock for over 79% of our operations. That's a fact." OF Group successfully automated the vast majority of their customs clearance processes across both US and Mexican operations, fundamentally restructuring their business flow.

→ Rapid Regulatory Response Capability

‍With tariff changes and executive orders hitting by surprise with minimal notice, DocUnlock enabled unprecedented agility. Oscar notes: "DocUnlock has done a fantastic job in helping us in getting organized... giving us that control, those recommendations and those suggestions that your programmers offer."

→ 70%+ Time Reduction Per Entry

‍Processing time dramatically decreased from 10 minutes down to 3 for most shipments. This transformation freed entry writers to focus on compliance, training, sales, and customer consultation rather than manual data entry.

→ Stress-Free Scaling Without Headcount

‍Previously requiring armies of people "just sitting down at computers and typing," OF Group can now handle exponentially more volume, with less burden on the entry writing team than before.

→ The AI-Human Partnership Philosophy

‍"AI doesn't replace us... it's a great assistant that is always available. They're always there, 24/7." Staff confidence increased while stress decreased, creating a sustainable model for growth.

‍

BUSINESS IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reduced processing time by 70% across the vast majority of entry operations
• Automated 79% of total customs operations
• Enabled entry writers to handle 5-10x more volume per person with less stress than their original capacity
• Decreased internal operating costs significantly
• Freed staff for sales, compliance, and strategic activities
• Maintained service quality during unprecedented regulatory volatility

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES DEMONSTRATED:

• Multi-format document ingestion across customer profiles
• Seamless integration with Descartes NetCHB ABI software
• Real-time adaptation to tariff and regulatory changes
• Connection of parts tables, customer documents, and compliance systems
• Handling of complex PGA requirements and multiple agency involvement
• Personalized workflow creation for each customer's unique needs

WHO SHOULD WATCH:

• Longstanding customs brokerages seeking modernization
• Border brokers dealing with same-day clearance pressures
• Operations teams struggling with entry writer retention
• Brokerages facing rapid regulatory changes and tariff volatility
• Companies wanting to scale without proportional headcount increases

‍

OF Group's story demonstrates how DocUnlock enables traditional family businesses to honor their heritage while revolutionizing their operations, turning nearly a century of customs expertise into a competitive advantage for the modern era without sacrificing the personal touch that defines their service.

‍