SAA Cargo glitches ‘under control’

As the launch of a new
computer system by SAA
Cargo resulted in cargo
scheduling havoc around the
world, the airline reacted
swiftly to industry concerns.
A team of representatives
from the SA Association of
Freight Forwarders met the
airline’s senior executive
management of cargo
operations last week to
discuss the issue.
Gary Hoyle, SAA Cargo
chief financial officer and
information technology
specialist, told FTW that the
airline had implemented a
new generation, web-based
system called i-Cargo.
“This,” he added, “replaces
our legacy systems, Safron
and Zebra – and is designed
to improve operational
efficiencies and service to
our customers.”
However, Hoyle also
agreed that the changeover
had not been as smooth as
was hoped.
The system cut-over was
on the morning of Sunday,
October 3, he said, and SAA
Cargo went live on i-Cargo
following implementation
of Phase 2 – which impacts
on all areas of operation
worldwide.
“But,” Hoyle added, “we
have experienced teething
problems as happens with
any system change.”
Communication has also
been on the SAA Cargo
agenda before and after this
system changeover, he told
FTW.
“We have been
communicating with our
customers, informing
them about the change
in the system prior to
implementation – and have
been regularly updating them
about the challenges that we SAA Cargo
glitches ‘under
control’