New software moves bonded storage into digital era

Easyclear has introduced a new warehousing software model to automate the customs process and help the bonded industry move into the digital era. The information technology (IT) company has developed the software to suit the retail environment as well, including clients such as Airports Company South Africa’s (Acsa) Big Five Duty Free stores. Michael Henning, general manager at Easyclear, told FTW that retail outlets such as Big Five Duty Free were uniquely different from regular retail outlets as the stock sold in the store was bonded and became dutiable only when sold, damaged or lost through shrinkage. “These retail outlets are required by law to retain bonded store warehousing records for customs purposes and report regularly to SA Revenue Service and are subject to customs audit,” he says. The company’s warehouse module is split into a bonded and a free store solution. Both modules are integrated with clearing and forwarding modules, enabling seamless transactions and minimal data capture. Henning says that the Easyclear software is presented in interchangeable modules which can be tailored to the differing needs of the freight industry and then fully integrated into their systems. “This makes our warehousing module uniquely different from many off-the-shelf offerings.” As part of its plans to expand its African footprint, Easyclear is gearing itself to offer a wholly web-based software solution for warehousing where clients can make use of the cloud system to facilitate seamless and automated tracking, recording and processing of goods and database management. “The beauty of the cloud and a web-based system is that employees can access information from any mobile device, anywhere in the region – and that works well for often remote and isolated African businesses.” INSERT & CAPTION Easyclear software is presented in interchangeable modules which can be tailored to the differing needs of the freight industry. – Michael Henning