Multiple systems cater for inter-Africa trade

Throughout the Soccer World Cup, South African stadiums were filled with chanting crowds and singing voices, says Nachi Mendelow, the marketing representative of Compu-Clearing Outsourcing. This was then transmitted via satellite to the world. “One of the most common refrains heard was ‘Waka Waka – This time’s for Africa’. And, as the world’s voices combined to sing about the bright future of Africa, SA shone out as leader and example – not only to the rest of Africa, but to the world at large.” In trade terms this saw Africa’s emerging markets gaining attention – and freight movement throughout Africa on the increase. “As Africa continues to grow in international commercial interest, so too does SA’s desirability as a cross-trade and assembly port,” said Mendelow. “This is not only due to port and road infrastructure, but also to numerous other factors – including SA’s place on the UN security council and its expected future admission to the Brazil, Russia, India and China (Bric) trade bloc.” In practical terms this sees a large portion of freight arriving by sea in SA - and later sent by road throughout the continent. Having the correct documentation is a critical factor in cross-border freight traffic movements, according to Mendelow. And Compu-Clearing, he told FTW, has multiple solutions for cargo travelling through Africa. “Firstly,” he said, “we have a special system designed specifically for cross-border transport to the BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland). This system allows for quick and easy capturing of data, and produces all the customs documentation necessary – from the bill of entry (BoE) to the road manifest. “Compu-Clearing is also linked to the SA Revenue Service (Sars) by electronic data interchange (EDI), allowing for documents to be processed and cleared before the truck even arrives at the border. This increases efficiency dramatically and helps to reduce delays at the border.” The freight system specialist has also now integrated the system into the Asycuda language used in the BLNS – allowing a single capture of data to produce the documentation for both sides of the border. It has also just released to the market a new web-based product – the international air waybill (AWB) production system. “This allows users to produce both master and house air waybills from anywhere in the world on neutral, pre-printed and plain paper,” Mendelow told FTW. “It also allows them to produce consolidation manifests, reserve air waybills for future use, and to print bar-code labels.” “All that it needs is Internet-access – so it is an ideal solution for many African countries.” Also built into the system is the ability to save, print, view and e-mail AWBs in PDF format. “The system lets users easily maintain multiple selling rates based on specific shippers, consignees, airlines and routes,” said Mendelow. “Live status enquiries can be done with a single click. The system also includes dynamic live databases providing accurate information on currency, country, city and airport codes, including information on all major airlines.” Compu-Clearing’s third-party warehousing solution, STASH, is also designed to suit the African market – and has been used in Uganda, Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana and Benin. “This,” said Mendelow, “is a complete PC-based warehousing solution, using the latest in Windowsbased technology and software. It allows users to manage and control all cargo moving through their warehouses and allows for easy production of goods received notes, goods delivered notes, stock control sheets, and multiple operational reports. STASH is extremely scalable and can be used in companies ranging from a single user up to 20-plus users.”