NuClear promises slick and quick clearance process

April 15 will see the official launch of Clearing Support Services’ NuClear programme. “It’s the paperless integration with systems prior to, during and subsequent to the clearing process that is the key to a more efficient, slicker and quicker clearance process,” says Clearing Support Services’ managing director Roger Shaw. And that’s the philosophy behind NuClear. It’s the third version of a programme that was originally written in DOS, then upgraded to Windows, and now uses the latest in computer technology in a totally new, clean programme that goes way beyond a simple upgrade by using a completely new operating philosophy, says Shaw, whose freight computer bureau this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. “NuClear is written in Java because it is platform independent and can therefore run on any operating system, including the AS400,” says Shaw. “Our preference is Linux, because it is totally reliable and requires no licence fees – a decided advantage in the present economic climate. “A further consideration was the cost of printers and printer cartridges, so any type of printer can be used to produce documents, from the multi-function ‘coffee-makers’ to a simple inkjet printer.” In terms of the actual programme, the key was to make it as flexible as possible, Shaw told FTW. “Not only to customise it in terms of imports, exports and cross-border, but even to adapt the methodology of the programme to the way the client works.” And the document process does just that. “It enables you to choose which documents you require, and at which point you wish to start, and then automatically links all the data,” says director and technical manager Priyen Vallabh. “No longer will you be tied into a rigid set of screens that have no consideration for your business requirements or the sequence in which you receive information for processing. “The document printing is also done at your discretion – individual documents within a bill of entry as required or all together at the end of the bill of entry capture process.” According to Vallabh, a major supermarket chain which has bought the programme has reduced document processing time from up to a full day to one hour. In addition, rates of exchange and tariff amendments will be downloaded onto the system automatically while the tariff book, which will include a word search, alerts the user to any special permit requirements, displays the customs duty breakdown and has a quick duty calculator. While the programme is being continually expanded and updated, the importers’ and exporters’ modules are already available, says CSS’s Jeanette Primrose. Ex bond, bond store control and invoicing are soon to be launched while an accounts and warehousing package is in the pipeline. Based in Boksburg, CSS has offices in Cape Town, Windhoek and Durban. Shaw, a qualified engineer, has 20 years’ experience in the field while the rest of the 13-strong team have all been involved either in IT or the freight industry for several years. The programme is available on full maintenance lease.