Logistics is like a relay race

Logistics in the commercial world has become increasingly important over the past 20 years, and has significantly evolved from the original concept, according to Werner Pretorius, who heads up warehouse solutions at freight systems specialists, Compu-Clearing. “The logistics manager has a much more complex and challenging position in the business world than ever before,” he told FTW. “It incorporates the total supply chain and the focus is on satisfying the consumer.” The efficient delivery of products is critical to the success of the channel – from the value-added resellers (VAR) to vendors. “In order to reduce major costs of vendors’ and reseller businesses,” Pretorius added, “the distributors need to create an environment that resembles a typical sales cycle as closely as possible – while providing a consistent order process along the entire supply chain.” He suggested that it was no mystery what the lifeblood of the information technology (IT) supply chain was. “It is logistics,” he said, “but it can be very challenging at times to adequately represent and distribute nationwide.” From his own company’s perspective, logistics is viewed as a relay race, Pretorius told FTW. “All parties are dependent on each other to complete the race.” In becoming a leading application service provider in the freight forwarding, air cargo and related industries, Compu-Clearing has developed its own product philosophy. “Instead of offering a generic, onesize- fits-all product,” said Pretorius, “we work side-by-side with our clients in order to provide systems that meet their specific needs. “This has not only helped us retain and grow our client base, but has attracted some of the world’s largest airlines, freight forwarders and shippers to our systems to meet their business goals.” Pretorius also feels that many agents are frustrated by sudden policy changes. “This,” he said, “is the time it takes to deal with vendor issues, product shipping delays and the financial implications of these delays.” To overcome this, Compu-Clearing has continuously used the latest technology available to give the customer the competitive edge as far as logistics is concerned. “Our system synchronises with all our modules,” Pretorius said. “Service plays an essential role, and that is why we strive to provide new programmes each year – like “trade and track” and the newly developed airwaybill system.”