IT system tunes into needs of fruit exporters

Addressing the needs of the fruit export industry is part and parcel of the functionality of the Core Freight support system, says Gregory Bruce, Core Freight’s Durbanville-based representative. “Supply chain optimisation is key in the face of international competition,” says Bruce, “and while we believe that many of the generic features available within the application already contribute to an efficient process flow, there are some specific challenges unique to the perishables business which we are currently addressing.” Among these are the production of the Phytosanitary and PPECB certificates. “These documents not only have to meet the standards of the local certification boards, but also the disclosure required by the authorities in the country to which the fruit is being delivered. And these requirements are not consistent from region to region. “This demands flexibility to accommodate pre-printed stationery, regional clauses, specific upper and lower case print conventions and varying date formats,” he added. While this problem has traditionally been addressed through the use of either Excel or Word-based templates, he points out that it has the disadvantage of requiring that data be recaptured into the templates rather than being pulled from a central database where it is already available for use in other aspects of the transaction. “Parties involved in the production of the documentation will understand the challenges presented. In particular these include integrating the specialised output with a system that provides for other complex processes like operator workflow, EDI communication with Sars, electronic submission of cargo dues, client invoicing and disbursement control management reporting,” he said. INSERT & CAPTION While many of the generic features available within the application already contribute to an efficient process flow, there are some specific challenges unique to the perishables business which we are currently addressing. – Gregory Bruce