Technology development furthers African expansion plans

Easy Clear, which celebrated its tenth year of operation at its offices in Rivonia last week, has identified African expansion as a key growth area going forward, said the company’s general manager, Michael Henning. “South Africa’s, and indeed Africa’s, broadband facilities have improved tremendously over the past few years, enabling more technical advancements and further market penetration, even into remote areas,“ he said. The continent has introduced several new technology systems – such as ASYWORLD – which tie into Easy Clear’s cross-border customs clearing software systems and which will be leveraged to springboard the company’s continental growth, he added. Another “exciting” development to be launched by Easyclear is a barcode/QR code system which will help clear goods faster as a manifest can be sent to a truck driver’s cell phone as soon as it has been created. “This will go a long way towards cross-border trade facilitation,” noted Henning. The company is also piloting its Easy Clear web versions at various sites in South Africa, which it hopes eventually to roll out to the rest of Africa. Meanwhile there is still “a lot more” to come from the South African Revenue Service (Sars) modernisation process, which will lead to more opportunities for Easy Clear, Henning pointed out. He told FTW that the relationship of the company – and the industry at large – with Sars had come a long way and was currently in a very strong place. Henning said a major milestone for the company had been doubling its market share and then doubling it again over the past decade. We attribute this success largely to a good team offering a strong helpdesk support role,” he said. Challenges going forward include the need for improved customs clearance and logistics supply chain training. “The perception of the industry is changing, bringing with it the need for more effective and rapid communication tools. For that we need to attract problem solvers. The proper training will facilitate that,” said Henning. CAPTION CJ Pagel and Michael Henning … celebrating a milestone.