A cyber-world lies ahead for the international freight forwarding community, according to Ron Meredith. My vision into-and-beyond the 21st century is that I see our industry being totally electronically driven through the transfer of information technology systems locally and worldwide, he said.
The airfreight forwarding industry, to my mind, is the fastest growing and, in most instances, is better positioned to take and lead the way to a full EDI format. It is much simpler in transactions, has less third-party involvement and the fees are less complicated. Meredith also sees that, within the next five-to-ten years, the traditional customs clearing function will diminish. In this time-span, he said, all or most of the large importers will be effecting their own customs clearing through EDI - with on-line credit through the banks, to customs; freight shipping lines; airlines and port authorities. However, Meredith does not believe that the functions of customs clearing will disappear all together. Our roles will change, he said, largely to a more technical support, consulting/ advising capacity - especially supportive and updating a company's own systems in the field.
