Last month saw the launch by ID Verification Systems (IVS) of its new electronic data interchange (EDI) system, developed to offer the South African freight industry a cost-effective online customs clearing system. IVS directors Stephen Bracher and Marius van Jaarsveld told FTW that while the locally developed system was customised for South African customs clearing realities, it was also applicable to international regulations and standards. “We have formed a partnership with Electronic Commerce Systems (ECS) in Europe to trade and re-sell VL Trader and Lexicom software which allows for a secure connection to South Africa Revenue Service (Sars),” says Van Jaarsveld. All communications with the revenue body need to be Drummond-certified to guarantee a secure connection for all parties – and VL Trader and Lexicom both offer that guarantee, he added. “For individual companies, that certification can be a very costly exercise, but because of our relationship with ECS and the bulk use of our system, we can offer this to clients at a fraction of the cost,” Bracher said. “We are also in the process of developing a clearing and forwarding system for agents with customs interfaces and we encourage agents to contact us to provide input on the system,” said Van Jaarsveld. The company is also in the process of a major infrastructure upgrade which aims to improve processing capacity and software performance. CAPTION Stephen Bracher and Marius van Jaarsveld ... ‘major infrastructure upgrade under way which aims to improve processing capacity.’
