DocUnlock Customer Interview: OF Group (Full Interview)
"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 0 to 10 minutes, to 0 to 3, depending on the shipment... that's where you start seeing efficiency and effectiveness in our services"
In this DocUnlock customer interview, Oscar Fernandez (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 even less burden than before on the entry writing team.
→ 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 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.