RoadSync Rolls Out Direct Payment Solution

Supply chain financing platform RoadSync has launched a direct payment solution, which the Atlanta company said streamlines transactions between brokers or carriers and warehouse merchants while easing drivers’ burdens.

“The end-to-end solution increases efficiency for drivers by 75% via payment automation, creating a quick and simple transaction,” RoadSync said in a news release Tuesday (July 19).

To use the direct payment tool, a driver provides their cell number when arriving at a RoadSync Checkout Merchant to make and authorize a pre-approved payment from their broker/carrier through RoadSync Advance.

The company said this enhanced payment method gives brokers and carriers greater payment control, protection against fraud, automatic receipt capture and driver delay minimization. Meanwhile, warehouses can benefit from faster payment processing, fewer dock door delays, and reduced requests for lost receipts, RoadSync said.

“By linking our Advance and Checkout products in an entirely new way, we are giving our network of drivers, carriers/brokers, and warehouses connectivity unachievable with other technology partners – all built on an industry-standard payment infrastructure,” said Robin Gregg, RoadSync’s CEO.

Read more: Mobile Solutions Help Truckers Ditch Fleet Checks, Focus on Driving

PYMNTS spoke to Gregg earlier this year following the launch of Road Sync Advance, the company’s broker and carrier payment management platform.

“What RoadSync Advance does is allows brokers and carriers to preauthorize and track truck driver expenses inside and outside of the RoadSync vendor network,” she said. “So, it’s really connecting both sides of the financial transaction and providing full visibility to the carrier and broker market.”

While efficiency is always important in the trucking market, it’s especially crucial at a time when pressures on the supply chain are high and driver capacity is limited. Today, brokers and carriers are looking for ways to make their drivers efficient, as well as ways to become drivers’ employer or broker of choice.

“Making sure those funds are readily available while still providing control and visibility, which is what the carriers and brokers need, is an important tool for driver satisfaction,” Gregg said.

For all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.


March Madness 2025 and Beyond: When AI Meets the Big Dance

March Madness 2025 and Beyond: When AI Meets the Big Dance

As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exhilarating NCAA tournament.

In the future, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could change March Madness as we know it. Let’s break down how the digital revolution could transform the Big Dance.

AI Bracketology: The New Sixth Man

AI is already being used to predict brackets. Gone are the days of agonizing over your picks based on team mascots or your alma mater’s colors. In 2025, AI-powered bracketology is the name of the game. Fans can use algorithms that crunch data points, from player statistics to historical upset probabilities, all at the click of a button.

But beware, bracket enthusiasts. While these AI tools promise to boost your chances of winning the office pool, they can’t account for the quintessential March Madness chaos. You know, the instance where AI can predict everything except the inevitable Cinderella story that ruins everyone’s bracket by the second round.

The Rise of the Robo-Commentators

In a move that would be sure to ruffle some feathers, AI-generated commentary could be used for games. Digital play-by-play announcers would never need a bathroom break and potentially be able to recall obscure statistics from the 1957 tournament in an instant.

Virtual Reality Courtside Seats

Can’t make it to the Final Four? Ten years from now, games might happen in a digital stadium, Forbes reported. With virtual reality (VR) technology, fans could experience the thrill of courtside seats from the comfort of their living rooms.

“AI-generated athletes, inspired by the procedural generation techniques of video game developers … could perform in virtual arenas, exhibiting strategies and plays conceived by advanced predictive algorithms,” Forbes reported.

Just be careful not to get too caught up in the moment with streaming. Wouldn’t want to have reports of fans attempting to rush the virtual court after buzzer-beaters have led to an uptick in living room injuries — especially when that flat screen falls over.

AI Coaches: The Ultimate Clipboard Holder

While human coaches still call the shots, AI assistants could one day be indispensable members of the coaching staff. In the next five years, these digital strategists could analyze opponent tendencies and more.

“Building on existing technologies … AI will provide coaches and players with intricate, multi-dimensional data patterns that dramatically enhance both offensive and defensive strategies,” Forbes reported. “These advanced algorithms will analyze vast datasets from numerous games to uncover hidden trends, strategic insights, and predictive cues about opponents’ potential moves.”

The Referee’s New Best Friend: Computer Vision

Say goodbye to controversial calls. Advanced computer vision systems could assist referees in making split-second decisions, from determining if a player’s toe was on the line for a three-pointer to detecting the slightest touch on a blocked shot.

The Hawk-Eye system is already used in tennis and cricket to help determine fouls, Viso.AI reported.

“This system uses a network of cameras to track the ball and then compares the trajectory of the ball to a virtual model of the playing surface,” the report said. “This system is accurate within a few millimeters, which is much more accurate than the human eye.”

The Future of Fandom

As we dive into March Madness 2025, it’s clear that technology will change the way we experience the tournament. From AI-powered brackets to virtual reality arenas, the digital revolution is coming for basketball. But at its core, the magic of March Madness remains the thrill of competition, the joy of unexpected victories, and the heartbreak of last-second defeats.

So, whether you’re relying on an AI to pick your bracket this year, or screaming at a holographic referee in the future, remember to enjoy the ride. In the unpredictable world of college basketball, sometimes the best strategy is to embrace the madness — digital or otherwise.

For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.