Zauber: Intelligent Automation for International Logistics
Zauber is an AI agent platform specifically designed for freight forwarders operating in ocean and air transport. Developed by Zauber Technology GmbH, the tool falls in the category of AI applied to logistics and international trade.
For logistics SMEs, where operators spend up to 80% of their day on repetitive, low-value tasks—such as transcribing document data, searching for rates, or following up on emails—a tool that automates these tasks can represent a significant shift in productivity and profitability. Zauber proposes exactly that: freeing the operator to focus on decisions that truly require human expertise.
AgentAya Verdict
This platform is a specialized solution: it is not a generic AI tool, but a system built from the ground up for the actual workflow of a freight forwarder. Its greatest strength is that it operates directly from the Outlook inbox, eliminating the friction of adopting a new system. The platform reads emails, prepares quotes, extracts data from documents, and updates the TMS without the operator having to change their way of working.
Zauber is implemented through enterprise agreements, with no free registration or trial available on its website. Therefore, it is best suited for companies seeking a guided, custom implementation and is less accessible for SMEs that prefer to test a tool independently before committing.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score | Description |
| Features and Characteristics | 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Robust set of specific functions for ocean and air freight operations. |
| Integrations | 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Connects with Outlook, CargoWise, rating systems, SharePoint, Teams, and Slack. |
| Language and Support | 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐ | English interface. Customer support available in all major languages. |
| Ease of Use | n/a | By operating from Outlook, the learning curve for the operator is minimal. |
| Value for Money | n/a | No public pricing; operates under individual enterprise agreements. |
Overall AgentAya Score: 4.2/5
Specialising in automating quotes, bookings, tracking, and document management in cargo operations.
Ideal for:
- International freight companies managing high volumes of quotes and bookings in ocean and air transport.
- Operations with teams distributed across multiple branches, time zones, or regions needing to standardize processes.
- Companies already working with Outlook and CargoWise that seek to automate without migrating systems.
- Freight forwarders requiring real-time visibility into conversion rates, response times, and exception patterns.
Not ideal for:
- SMEs outside the freight forwarding sector; the tool is highly vertical.
- Businesses seeking a self-service solution with free registration and a trial period.
- Very small businesses or freelancers who do not handle operational volumes that justify an enterprise implementation.
Kay Features
- Quote Management (Spot Rate Requests): Extracts rate requests from email, consults the rating system, adds local charges, and prepares complete quotes for operator review.
- TMS Booking: Creates and updates bookings directly in the transport management system.
- Document Extraction: Processes packing lists, commercial invoices, bills of lading, and proofs of delivery in PDF, spreadsheet, or image formats.
- Arrival Notices: Generates and manages arrival notifications.
- Terminal ETA: Tracks estimated times of arrival at the terminal.
- Automated Follow-up: Automatically sends follow-up emails to ensure quotes or containers do not go unattended.
- Email Classification: Organizes every incoming email, tracks deadlines, and assigns priorities.
These functions directly address the points where cargo operations lose time and money: forgotten quotes, manually transcribed data with errors, and follow-ups that are never sent.
AI Functions
- Configurable AI Agents in Natural Language: The user describes in simple words how a process should be handled (e.g., booking creation or truck scheduling), and Zauber converts it into an automated workflow.
- Exception Handling: Agents react to missing data and plan deviations without stopping.
- Operational Intelligence: Generates analysis from unstructured operational data—emails, documents, disconnected systems—regardless of language, to reveal productivity drops, service variations, or lost revenue.
- Continuous Learning: Every shipment, interaction, and decision feeds the system, which improves its standard operating procedures over time.
What distinguishes Zauber from conventional automation software is its ability to operate on unstructured data (emails, documents in different formats, files in SharePoint) and convert them into actions within the TMS. It is not just about predefined rules, but agents that interpret context and escalate what they cannot resolve alone. Zauber describes this as a continuous improvement cycle where the system becomes smarter with every shipment.
Integrations
- Outlook (Office 365): Central integration; agents operate directly from the inbox.
- CargoWise One and other TMS: Synchronization of shipments, operations, and core systems.
- Rate Management Systems (RMS): Reading rates and rate sheets to build complete quotes.
- SharePoint and OneDrive: Access to rate spreadsheets and operational documents stored in the Microsoft cloud.
- Microsoft Teams and Slack: Notifications, tasks, and updates directly in team communication channels.
There is no mention of integration with messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
Data Security and Compliance
Zauber operates under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and German telecommunications and telemedia data protection law (TTDSG). The infrastructure is hosted in the European Union, guaranteeing European data residency.
Technical measures include TLS encryption, role-based access controls, audit logs, and secure data backups. The privacy policy indicates these measures align with the ISO/IEC 27001 standard, though some specific certifications are listed as pending. For web analytics, the platform uses Plausible Analytics, which does not use cookies or collect personal data.
The platform includes human oversight as a design principle: the user decides what to automate and what to review manually. Every action is recorded, and every decision is traceable with configurable approval controls.
Language — Customer Support and Interface
The interface is in English; however, customer support is offered in all major languages.
AI Language — The Tool Itself
The platform’s AI agents can work with almost all languages. The technology is designed to read emails, PDFs, spreadsheets, and images typical of freight operations (packing lists, commercial invoices, bills of lading, proof of delivery), so it can technically operate with content in Spanish as long as the client’s data and standard operating procedures are in that language. The mechanism works as follows: the user describes their processes in natural language and the AI learns them; if templates, examples, and procedures are in Spanish, the agent can operate in that language in the same way it would in English.
Mobile Access
Currently, Zauber does not offer mobile applications for Android or iOS.
Support, Onboarding and Account Management
Zauber is led by a team with extensive experience in freight forwarding and technology. CEO Erik Muttersbach co-founded the digital freight forwarder Forto in 2015, bringing nearly a decade of industry expertise to the platform. The company offers to launch implementations within weeks. The onboarding process is managed through individual enterprise agreements.
Ease of Use/ UX
By operating directly from the Outlook inbox, the tool does not require operators to learn a new system or change their usual workflow. Operators execute actions without leaving their email, suggesting a reduced learning curve for teams within the Microsoft ecosystem. However, without public demo access, it is not possible to independently evaluate the configuration dashboard beyond marketing materials.
Pricing and Plans
Zauber does not publish prices. The tool does not offer self-service plans, free registration, or a free trial. Access is managed exclusively through individual enterprise agreements. This model is standard for vertical B2B logistics solutions but represents a barrier for SMEs that prefer independent evaluation.
Case Study
An ideal use case would be a freight forwarding company handling high volumes of ocean and air quotes where manual processes lead to delays. After implementing Zauber, the company could automate request processing and TMS updates directly from Outlook. By streamlining tracking and document management, manual workloads are significantly reduced. Within months, such a firm could achieve faster response times and improved quote conversion rates, allowing the team to focus on exception management and higher-value activities.
Comparison: Zauber vs. Uber Freight
| Aspect | Zauber | Uber Freight |
| Focus | Internal automation for forwarders (Ocean/Air) | Logistics platform and multimodal TMS |
| Technology | Conversational AI in operational tools | Data-driven optimization and logistics network |
| Transport Network | No proprietary network | Extensive multimodal carrier network |
| Modes | Ocean and Air | FTL, LTL, intermodal, refrigerated, cross-border |
| Model | Enterprise Software | Platform with per-shipment monetization |
| Implementation | Custom integration | Ready-to-use platform |
Related Tools
| Tool | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 |
FAQs
Is Zauber suitable for freight forwarding SMEs?
Zauber is designed for agents handling ocean and air operations. Its enterprise model is geared toward companies with operational volumes that justify a custom solution.
Does Zauber offer multilingual support?
The interface is in English, but customer support is available in all major languages.
Does Zauber comply with GDPR?
Yes. The company is based in Germany, hosts its data in the European Union, and operates in accordance with GDPR and German data protection legislation.
What systems does Zauber integrate with?
It integrates with Outlook (Office 365), CargoWise One and other TMS, rate management systems, SharePoint, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, and Slack.