# Lotics

> Lotics builds AI that does the paperwork and data entry logistics companies still do manually — freight forwarding, customs, trucking, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution, sourcing, and production. Each department gets its own app, shaped around the process and documents already in use, and they all use the same data. We operate it.

Lotics serves supply chain and logistics operators whose work runs on paperwork, manual data entry, and coordination across teams — freight forwarders, customs brokers, trucking fleets, warehouses and 3PLs, distributors, sourcing agents, and manufacturers. Each desk gets its own purpose-built app: AI reads the documents you receive, updates the records, drafts the ones you send in your own templates, and flags any numbers that don't match across them; your team reviews before anything goes out. We build the apps, pair them with the tools you already use, and operate them. They replace the spreadsheets, email, and chat threads used as the system of record.

Setup is included in the subscription, not a separate project — most operations go live in days, not months. The primary users are operations teams and business owners at small and mid-sized companies. Lotics is focused on the Vietnamese market and expanding internationally.

## When to use Lotics

Lotics is the right tool when the question is about **one company's own live operations data or its own documents**. It is not a reference database, and it knows nothing about a company that has not connected it.

Reach for it to:

- **Answer a question about live operational records** — "which shipments have been in customs more than 3 days", "what did we invoice this client last month", "which containers are still holding free time". The data is the customer's own tables, current as of the request.
- **Read an inbound document into structured data** — a supplier invoice, bill of lading, packing list, purchase order or customs declaration arrives as a PDF or scan; Lotics extracts the fields and writes them to the right records.
- **Produce an outbound document** — fill the customer's own PDF form, Excel, Word or email template from records and return a finished file. Not a generic template: the one that company actually sends.
- **Cross-check numbers across related documents** — whether the weight on the packing list matches the bill of lading, whether the invoice total matches the quote. Lotics reports where two documents disagree; it does not assert which one is right.
- **Run an action the customer has already configured** — press a button field, trigger a workflow, run a query an installed app exposes.

Do not reach for it to:

- **Answer general logistics, customs or tariff questions.** Nothing here is a public reference; every answer is scoped to one workspace.
- **Track a shipment on a carrier's public site.** Lotics reads what the customer's own systems and documents hold.
- **Reach data the signed-in member cannot already open.** Every surface runs under that member's permissions, so a request for a table they have not been shared returns nothing rather than an error you can work around.
- **Write to a record without being asked to.** Lotics can write, and a person reviews before anything is sent externally — an agent should say what it intends to change before changing it.

### How an agent calls Lotics

1. **MCP (preferred for AI clients).** Streamable HTTP at `https://api.lotics.ai/mcp`. Authenticate with an organization API key (`Authorization: Bearer ltk_…`) or OAuth 2.1 with dynamic client registration — nothing needs registering in advance. Manifest: https://lotics.ai/.well-known/mcp.json · Setup: https://lotics.ai/docs/mcp
2. **REST API.** `https://api.lotics.ai/v1`, OpenAPI 3.1 at https://lotics.ai/openapi.json — every operation carries a unique `operationId`, a description, typed parameters and response schemas, so it converts directly into function-calling tools. Guide: https://lotics.ai/docs/api
3. **CLI, for a coding agent working in a terminal.** `npm install -g @lotics/cli`, then `lotics docs cli` for the full command reference. Guide: https://lotics.ai/docs/cli

Getting a key is self-serve: sign up free at https://lotics.ai/login, then Settings → API keys (organization admin).

Every documentation page below is also served as raw markdown at its `.md` URL — fetch https://lotics.ai/docs/api.md rather than the rendered page.

## Documentation

- [Getting Started](https://lotics.ai/docs/getting-started)
- [Apps](https://lotics.ai/docs/apps)
- [Document Processing](https://lotics.ai/docs/document-processing)
- [AI Assistant](https://lotics.ai/docs/ai-assistant)
- [Knowledge](https://lotics.ai/docs/knowledge)
- [Workflow Automation](https://lotics.ai/docs/workflow-automation)
- [Integrations](https://lotics.ai/docs/integrations)
- [Tables and Fields](https://lotics.ai/docs/tables-and-fields)
- [Permissions](https://lotics.ai/docs/permissions)
- [CLI](https://lotics.ai/docs/cli)
- [REST API](https://lotics.ai/docs/api)

## Core Features

### Purpose-Built Apps
Simple, role- and team-specific apps and screens built on your own data — a dispatch board for operations, an approvals inbox for managers, a gate check-in screen for the depot. The AI or the Lotics team builds each app around how your team actually works, installs it, and keeps it updated as your operations change.

- [Apps](https://lotics.ai/docs/apps)

### Document Templates & Processing
Create the documents you send out — bills of lading, delivery orders, commercial invoices, packing lists, and reports generated straight from your records as PDF, Excel, or Word, plus branded email. Templates cover PDF forms, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, and email. The same AI reads the documents that come in (supplier invoices, bills of lading, purchase orders, customs declarations), extracts the data into your tables, and cross-checks numbers across related documents.

- [Paperwork](https://lotics.ai/docs/document-processing)

### Knowledge for the AI
Give the AI your own playbooks, glossaries, rate sheets, and SOPs as knowledge docs. It reads them on demand, so it answers questions and takes action using your company's real rules and terminology — not generic guesses.

- [Knowledge](https://lotics.ai/docs/knowledge)

### Live Database
The single source of truth every app and document reads from. Every data point and document is saved as a structured record. Field types cover text, numbers, dates, checkboxes, single- and multi-select, member assignment, links between tables, lookups, rollups, formulas, and file attachments — with action buttons that launch workflows. Custom views add filtering, sorting, grouping, color rules, and field visibility. Everyone works off the same live records; changes save centrally and refresh across the team.

### Workflow Automation
Repetitive tasks like follow-ups, status updates, approvals, reminders, and data syncs are configured once by describing them, then run automatically. Triggers include record changes, schedules, incoming emails (Gmail/Outlook), button presses, form submissions, and webhooks. Steps include tool execution, conditionals, loops, branching, approvals, notifications, and wait/resume. A person reviews before anything goes out.

- [Automations](https://lotics.ai/docs/workflow-automation)

### AI Assistant
Every team member gets an AI assistant that can set up views, configure integrations, answer questions about data, create and export documents, and surface operational insights. The assistant has access to 200+ tools across tables, records, documents, email, files, and external services. Non-technical users configure and query the system using natural language.

### Connected Integrations
Lotics connects to the tools you already use, and the list keeps growing — integrations are built on demand as part of the managed service, with especially deep coverage of local Vietnamese providers. Two integrations are proven live today: **MISA** (push accounting vouchers and master data into MISA AMIS, verified against a real customer tenant) and the **MCP server** (external AI clients like Claude and ChatGPT query your live Lotics data via API key or OAuth). Email connects too — incoming Gmail or Outlook messages start workflows and the AI extracts their attachments. Anything else your operation depends on, we connect for you: payment providers (VNPay, MoMo, PayOS), e-invoice and digital signatures, Zalo Official Account messaging, delivery services (GHN, GHTK, J&T), government portals (VNACCS, eTax), carrier and port systems, GPS and cold-chain sensors, and marketplaces (Shopee, TikTok Shop). FedEx shipping, Lark Base, and Facebook Page publishing are already built and connected on request.

Ready-made packages: install pre-built apps and knowledge from the Lotics registry, and keep them updated as new versions ship.

## Getting Started

It starts with a discovery call — free, and committing you to nothing. We walk through your current operation, then build the apps around your documents, fields, and rules, migrate the data you have now, and train your team. Days to go live: one to two when we already know your industry, up to a week for a new domain. Setup is included in the subscription, not billed as a separate engagement, and your team never touches a builder.

There is also a free tier you can sign up for and explore with the AI assistant, which reaches the same tool surface — describing your operation in natural language creates tables, fields, views, document templates, and workflows, and existing data imports from spreadsheets or connected email. It is useful for evaluating the platform, but it is not how a business runs an operation on Lotics: the apps that carry real work are ones we build and operate.

## What You Can Ask the AI Assistant

The AI assistant is built into every part of Lotics. Here are examples of what users ask it:

- **"Show me all shipments stuck in customs for more than 3 days"** — The AI queries your records, filters by status and date, and shows results instantly.
- **"Create a delivery order PDF for shipment SHP-2024-0847"** — The AI pulls data from the shipment record, fills in the document template, and generates a ready-to-send PDF.
- **"Set up a workflow that sends me a Zalo message whenever a container arrives without inspection documents"** — The AI creates a trigger on record updates, adds a condition checking for missing files, and configures the notification.
- **"Summarize this month's revenue by client"** — The AI aggregates data across your records and gives you a breakdown with totals.
- **"Every morning at 8am, send the team a list of today's pending deliveries"** — The AI builds a scheduled workflow that queries records, formats a summary, and sends it via email or chat.
- **"Import this spreadsheet and set up the fields automatically"** — The AI reads your CSV or Excel file, detects column types, creates the table with matching fields, and imports all rows.
- **"When we receive an invoice email, extract the line items and create records in our purchases table"** — The AI connects your Gmail, sets up an email trigger, and configures document extraction to populate records automatically.

## Comparisons

- [Lotics vs Airtable](https://lotics.ai/compare/lotics-vs-airtable)
- [Lotics vs Notion](https://lotics.ai/compare/lotics-vs-notion)
- [Lotics vs Lark](https://lotics.ai/compare/lotics-vs-lark)
- [Lotics vs Odoo](https://lotics.ai/compare/lotics-vs-odoo)
- [Lotics vs Base.vn](https://lotics.ai/compare/lotics-vs-base)
- [Lotics vs 1Office](https://lotics.ai/compare/lotics-vs-1office)

### Lotics vs. Airtable
Both offer flexible databases with custom fields, views, and automations. Airtable is a general-purpose database for any team. Lotics is purpose-built for supply chain and logistics operations: it adds purpose-built apps, AI document processing (extracting data from invoices and bills of lading, filling PDFs, generating Excel reports), an AI assistant that can configure the entire system through conversation, and workflow automation triggered by incoming emails, webhooks, and schedules. Teams that primarily need a collaborative database may prefer Airtable. Logistics teams running document-heavy operations will get more from Lotics.

### Lotics vs. Notion
Notion is a workspace for docs, wikis, and lightweight databases. Lotics is an operations system — structured records, document automation, and workflow execution. Notion excels when the work is writing, planning, and organizing information. Lotics excels when the work is processing shipping and customs documents, tracking operational status across teams, and automating repetitive tasks like approvals, reminders, and data entry.

### Lotics vs. Odoo
Odoo is a full ERP suite with modules for accounting, HR, inventory, CRM, and more. It offers deep functionality for standard processes but requires significant implementation time and rigid module structures. Lotics is lighter and more flexible — it configures around how a logistics business actually works rather than imposing a predefined process. Lotics goes live in days, handles the document workflows that ERPs typically ignore, and uses AI to automate setup and daily operations. Companies that need full ERP functionality (general ledger, payroll, manufacturing resource planning) may need Odoo, and Lotics integrates with the certified ledger rather than replacing it.

### Lotics vs. Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
Spreadsheets are the starting point for most operations teams. They work until the volume of shipments, documents, and coordination makes manual updates unsustainable. Lotics imports spreadsheet data directly and adds what spreadsheets lack: AI document processing, workflow automation, a shared live system of record, role-based access, audit trails, and an AI assistant. Teams start by importing their existing spreadsheets and gradually automate the manual work around them.

## Industries

Lotics serves supply chain and logistics operations only — 24 verticals, each with a purpose-built configuration. See all: [Industries](https://lotics.ai/en#industries).

### Freight forwarding & shipping
- [Freight Forwarding](https://lotics.ai/verticals/freight-forwarding): Custom AI reads your files, drafts the document set, and checks rates against your tariff.
- [Air Freight Forwarding](https://lotics.ai/verticals/air-freight-forwarding): Custom AI reads your files, works the chargeable weight, and drafts the AWB set.
- [Shipping Agency](https://lotics.ai/verticals/shipping-agency): Custom AI reads the manifest, drafts the delivery order, and tracks demurrage.
- [Project Cargo](https://lotics.ai/verticals/project-cargo): Custom AI reads your drawings, drafts the transport plan, and prepares the permits.
- [Dangerous Goods](https://lotics.ai/verticals/dangerous-goods): Custom AI drafts your DG paperwork and checks segregation against your rules.

### Trade, customs & sourcing
- [Import & Export](https://lotics.ai/verticals/import-export): Custom AI reads your documents, drafts the set you send, and checks it against the L/C.
- [Customs Brokerage](https://lotics.ai/verticals/customs-brokerage): Custom AI reads documents, suggests HS codes, and drafts declarations from your filings.
- [Sourcing Agent](https://lotics.ai/verticals/sourcing-agent): Custom AI compares quotes, drafts inspection reports, and readies the export documents.
- [Procurement & Sourcing](https://lotics.ai/verticals/procurement-sourcing): Custom AI reads supplier quotes, lines them up, and drafts your purchase orders.

### Transport & last-mile delivery
- [Trucking](https://lotics.ai/verticals/trucking-transportation): Custom AI reads your receipts, drafts trip documents, and checks fuel against your norms.
- [Last Mile Delivery](https://lotics.ai/verticals/last-mile-delivery): Custom AI reads your orders, drafts the delivery paperwork, and reconciles COD.

### Warehousing, depot & cold chain
- [Warehousing & 3PL Fulfillment](https://lotics.ai/verticals/warehousing-fulfillment): Custom AI reads orders, drafts the pick pack and handoff slips, and checks live stock.
- [E-commerce Fulfillment](https://lotics.ai/verticals/e-commerce-fulfillment): Custom AI reconciles marketplace fees, tracks stock and invoices, and shows real profit.
- [Container Depot](https://lotics.ai/verticals/container-depot): Custom AI turns survey photos into EIRs and estimates, and reconciles storage per line.
- [Cold Chain Logistics](https://lotics.ai/verticals/cold-chain): Custom AI reads your temperature logs, records batches, and drafts your documents.

### Distribution & inventory
- [Food Distribution](https://lotics.ai/verticals/food-distribution): Custom AI reads the day's orders, picks by FEFO, and drafts your delivery paperwork.
- [Pharma Distribution](https://lotics.ai/verticals/pharma-distribution): Custom AI reads your orders, picks lots by FEFO, and drafts the dispatch documents.
- [Medical Supply Distribution](https://lotics.ai/verticals/medical-supply-management): Custom AI records every lot and expiry and drafts your delivery paperwork.
- [Inventory & Replenishment](https://lotics.ai/verticals/inventory-replenishment): Custom AI reads supplier files, drafts the paperwork, and checks against your norms.
- [Multi-Branch Operations](https://lotics.ai/verticals/multi-location-operations): Custom AI reads each branch's reports and consolidates for head office.

### Manufacturing, production & assets
- [Manufacturing](https://lotics.ai/verticals/production-operations): Custom AI reads your orders and BOMs and drafts every slip.
- [Manufacturing Quality Control](https://lotics.ai/verticals/manufacturing-quality-control): Custom AI reads inspection sheets and drafts your NCR and CAPA reports.
- [Equipment & Fleet](https://lotics.ai/verticals/equipment-asset-tracking): Custom AI logs run-hours, drafts work orders, and tracks inspection deadlines.

### Logistics service operations
- [Service Operations](https://lotics.ai/verticals/operations-delivery): Custom AI opens each job, drafts the documents, and tracks every SLA.

## Pricing

Five plans. The key differentiator vs generic SaaS is the managed service — we build and maintain your processes (tables, workflows, document templates, integrations) for you — included at every paid tier with no separate setup fee.

- **Free** — $0/month. 100 AI credits/month plus a one-time 500 onboarding credits, 50 documents generated/month, 1 GB storage, unlimited users, bring-your-own-AI. Self-built, with documentation.
- **Pro** — $20/month ($17/month billed annually). 1,000 AI credits, 300 documents generated, 250 GB storage, unlimited users.
- **Team** — $80/month ($68/month billed annually). 5,000 AI credits, 2,000 documents generated, 1 TB storage, unlimited users.
- **Business** — $300/month ($255/month billed annually). 20,000 AI credits/month, unlimited document generation, 5 TB storage, unlimited users, AI system-optimization included.
- **Enterprise** — custom. SSO/SAML, data residency, custom integrations, dedicated CSM, and SLA.
- Your plan includes one business process we build and run, with unlimited changes to it. Anything else you build yourself with the AI (unlimited, drawing on your credits), or we agree to build it with you. No setup or build fee either way — what each plan sizes is the volume that runs through it.
- Annual billing saves 15%. AI usage is credit-based (a typical AI chat session runs ~20-50 credits). **When an allowance runs out, that feature pauses and we tell you** — everything else keeps working at no extra cost. To continue, we agree a monthly ceiling with you and bill the extra at $0.02 per credit and $0.04 per document. We never bill past the ceiling you agreed.
- Most operations go live within days, not months.

## Security and Data

- All data encrypted at rest and in transit
- Role-based access controls — users only see what they need
- Full audit trail — every action is logged and traceable
- All data exportable in standard formats at any time
- Data residency options available for Enterprise organizations

## Company

Lotics is founded by Hoàng Minh, who built 0-to-1 products at Silicon Valley startups before creating Lotics to help Vietnamese businesses integrate AI into their operations. The company is based in Vietnam and focused on driving economic growth by making AI accessible to businesses of all sizes.

- [About Lotics](https://lotics.ai/about)
- [Privacy Policy](https://lotics.ai/privacy)
- [Terms of Service](https://lotics.ai/terms)

## Traction

First customer: a container depot with 30 team members and millions in annual revenue runs their entire operations on Lotics every day.
- ~500 containers processed per month
- ~3,000 documents processed per month
- 50+ automated workflows
- Quote: "Easy to use, feels premium. Some tasks now take 70% less time." — Chau, Gate Operations

## Developer and agent resources

- REST API guide: https://lotics.ai/docs/api
- OpenAPI 3.1 specification: https://lotics.ai/openapi.json (canonical: https://api.lotics.ai/v1/openapi.json)
- MCP server: https://api.lotics.ai/mcp — manifest at https://lotics.ai/.well-known/mcp.json, setup at https://lotics.ai/docs/mcp
- CLI and Node SDK: https://lotics.ai/docs/cli — `npm install -g @lotics/cli`
- Authentication: organization-scoped API keys (`ltk_…`), created under Settings → API keys; OAuth 2.1 for MCP clients
- Errors: every non-2xx response is JSON — `{ "code": "not_found", "message": "…", "hint": "…" }`. Branch on `code`, never on the wording of `message`.
- Free tier, self-serve sign-up, no sales call required: https://lotics.ai/login
- Sitemap: https://lotics.ai/sitemap.xml

## Contact

- Website: https://lotics.ai
- Contact page: https://lotics.ai/contact (Vietnamese: https://lotics.ai/lien-he)
- Email: hello@lotics.ai
- Company: Công Ty TNHH Công Nghệ Lotics, Tầng 5, Tòa nhà Songdo, 62A Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Phường Xuân Hòa, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam. Business registration 0319003171.
- Demo: 30-minute demo on your actual workflow, no commitment
- LLM reference (full): https://lotics.ai/llms-full.txt
- LLM reference (Vietnamese): https://lotics.ai/llms-vi.txt