Integration provides leading edge

Electronic solutions have become increasingly critical in the airfreight industry which relies on fast, efficient and dedicated freight services. So much so that these solutions are determining the future of the industry, says Alwyn Rautenbach, CEO of Airlink Cargo. “The optimisation of the entire supply chain and freight process is dependent on electronic solutions,” he said. “It is an incredibly important means of facilitating operations and it also forms the basis of integrating to a worldwide network,” he said. “Customs authorities are increasingly requiring electronic formats.” Airlink Cargo provides a cargo service both domestically and regionally in southern Africa. “By utilising good electronic systems one can optimise the cargo processes and ensure an entirely streamlined air cargo operation from start to finish,” said Rautenbach. “A more effective supply chain process is part and parcel of the benefit because the integration of systems can contribute to giving the leading edge in both product and service efficiency.” And of course it reduces costs as there is less labourintensive manual work and less human error in the process. “The trend to move to more electronic systems has been ongoing for sometime,” Rautenbach said. “We have seen more electronic verification security procedures being developed as well electronic booking systems, communication with customers and then the track and trace of cargo and the electronic airway bill. All of this results in the faster and smoother clearance of cargo while it helps to eliminate the non-compliant agents from the system.” A major challenge in southern Africa is the slow Internet connections with bandwidth not on par with other international countries. “With the implementation of electronic solutions, staff has to be thoroughly trained to use the systems, and awareness around their capabilities and optimisation must be exposed,” said Rautenbach. “Informing and training the customer on the system, its capabilities and possibilities to increase efficiency in the cargo process takes time, but is extremely important.”