Integrated systems reduce processing delays

Customs clearing and
forwarding businesses are
switching to cloud-based
data solutions and the latest
integrated systems and
software solutions to reduce
processing delays.
Advanced Customs
Solutions general manager,
Ridwaan Mohammed,
said there
was a huge
demand for
software
providers
that could
tailormake
these
systems.
“Our
integration
into
Asycuda++
and Asycuda
World, the software
platform used by clearing
agents in most African
countries, and their
international counterparts,
has helped to speed up
the logistics chain and
reduce delays dramatically,”
Mohammed said.
“Accurate data can now
be shared with as little
human intervention as
possible, reducing errors
and increasing efficiency.
Our integration into
most accounting software
solutions has also seen
a demand – particularly
since we are offering a full
automatic
invoicing
system,” he
said.
Mohammed
added that the
industry had
shown keen
interest in its
web-based
EDI tracking
solution
offered by
clearing
agents which enabled users
to track the customs status
of shipments.
“Delays and stops,
penalties and noncompliance
have been
the everyday challenges
faced by clearing agents.
ACS has identified and
replaced missing links
with solutions in the form
of computer software to
minimise and eventually do
away with these everyday
challenges. With our
system validations, we have
reduced bill of entry-related
mistakes and rejections
drastically.”
Mohammed said the
business had clinched
67 new clients in
Johannesburg while its
Cape Town branch had also
experienced significant
growth as clearing agents
switched to its system.
He added that demand
for cloud-based solutions
was expected to grow as
most technology platforms
moved towards internetbased
solutions.
“We have also noted that
many clients prefer to have
data stored on their
local servers and we
will continue
with our
local
serverbased
software solution,” he said.
ACS, among others, has
been proactive in assisting
SA Revenue Service with
its system modernisation
programme by ensuring
all ACS clients are
compliant with
Sars rules and
regulations in
the form of
developing and
implementing
programme
changes,
validations
and upgrades
to meet
industry
needs.
“Customs compliance
is our number one
priority. We are constantly
modernising our systems
by implementing newer
technology with every
change without
impacting the
users of our
systems,”
Mohammed
said.
INSERT & CAPTION
Demand for cloudbased
solutions
expected to grow.
– Ridwaan Mohammed