Drive to digitise logistics systems

Modernisation of the customs systems in Zambia and neighbouring countries, combined with rapidly growing freight volumes, has created a demand for more sophisticated logistics management systems, according to Antonio Di Stefano, commercial consultant with CompuClearing Africa. CompuClearing has entered into a partnership to introduce CargoWise One into the African market with WiseTech Global, a global freight forwarding and supply chain management software provider. “CargoWise One is a modular system that includes forwarding, warehousing, transport, accounting, workf low, container pack/unpack, order manager as well as booking systems,” says Di Stefano. It caters for all forms of transport for exports and imports. “The system is multi-modal and multi directional.” CompuClearing is increasing its efforts to further serve the African market, he says. “There is currently massive growth in cargo volumes in Zambia, the DRC as well as the rest of Africa as a whole. “This gives us a very good opportunity to assist in growing the economies of the countries by helping companies to streamline their processes through our systems,” he says. Zambia is recognised by CompuClearing and CargoWise One as being strategically very well positioned. “Zambia is bordered by eight countries, which geographically puts it in a better position to serve as a cargo hub than any other Southern African Development Community (SADC) or Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) country. “They have the potential to become Africa’s business hub as they are not only able to cater for their own market, but also for the other 170 million people in the region,” he says. Investment by the Zambian authorities in road and rail links is helping the country to build on its natural geographic advantages, he says. INSERT & CAPTION CompuClearing has entered into a partnership to introduce CargoWise One into the African market with WiseTech Global. – Antonio di Stefano