Custom-developed tracking system provides proactive alerts

Independent consolidator CFR Freight has launched a new track and trace system – Airtrak – for its airfreight shipments that not only provides customers with the latest check point but also gives the shipment history. “It’s a proactive system that automatically sends an email to the customer every time the status of a shipment changes,” says general manager – airfreight, Dave Graham. “In addition to clients having access to the system through the CFR website, we are also automatically feeding the information to the client in a proactive manner,” says Graham. “We’ve also developed it in such a way that it’s a management tool. “Our airfreight managers now have the ability log into the system and confirm that all shipments have been updated within the last 24 hours. In this way the manager can ensure that shipment updates are taking place.” As the shipment is updated, an email is automatically sent to the customer. And because it’s so user-friendly, the status update is a quick and simple procedure. It was developed in-house around CFR’s current shipment processing system which is Ship Shape. “Our customers are freight forwarders and what they want is shipment visibility,” says Graham. “We’ve developed the system so that our customers don’t have to look for information on their shipments – we are providing it for them, and often more than once a day.” An additional benefit is that it allows for quick recoveries in the event of an offload. The system is currently available for exports only, but will be extended to include import shipments in the near future. “This is the third electronic tool we have developed this year in response to customer demand,” says Graham. “It joins the automated tariff engine for imports and exports which provides access to airport to airport tariffs to and from all our major consol destinations, and the automated quotation system which allows us to get a quote to customer within two minutes of receiving a request. “Using the skills base of our IT department we will continue to develop home-grown solutions that add value for our customers and give them what they’re asking for,” he said.