Web Services technology will improve data interchange for ocean freight

A new technology, heralded as ocean freight’s next web–based evolution, will enable applications from different trading partners to share information in real time. Expanding capabilities and improving information flow is what Web Services is all about, according to Jeff Pattison, chief information officer of e-commerce portal for the ocean freight industry, INTTRA. “Web Services can improve the way businesses, specifically shippers, logistics service providers (LSP) and carriers communicate with each other to improve business processes. The traditional way of processing and using data will be dramatically altered in the future. Web Services represents a fundamental shift in the way people interact with data.” Outside of the logistics and shipping industry, big names using Web Services include eBay and Amazon, amongst others, according to Pattison. EBay is developing Web Services, turning its website into a platform. Amazon’s Web Service offerings provide access to Amazon’s vast selling platform that provides store fronts, an on-line catalogue and payment solutions that are described as reliable, scalable and secure. “And, if you take a closer look at how businesses are using Web Services you’ll see that it is has different applications including, raw computing, network monitoring, development platforms, and integration with individual web sites – all seeking to convert business relationships into automated interactions,” says Pattison. Its benefit to shippers, carriers and LSPs are significant, he adds. “ Web Services will provide the opportunity to increase efficiencies and improve the way trading partners interact with data. It will be easier to combine different sources of data at a lower cost than traditional methods. Web Service applications will improve productivity. “For example,” he says, “today shippers submit bookings and must wait to receive confirmations. In the future, with Web Services, the shipper and carrier systems will talk to each other in real-time resulting in an immediate booking confirmation. Timely, accurate data will speed processing and improve workflow.” Shippers accessing sailing schedule data often use outdated hard copy, printed schedules, or download schedules into static spreadsheets, says Pattison. “In the case of online sailing schedule tools, such as OceanSchedules.com, Web Services will allow users to search, select real-time schedule data from a carrier’s database, and add the data into their documentation process providing an easier more up-to-the-minute data solution. Also, the addition of Web Services to OceanSchedules.com will provide for the ability to share more information about the schedule such as vessel cut-off, booking and document cut-off and transhipment data. This makes for a better search and more convenient use. “In addition, being web-based, the Web Services connections between OceanSchedules.com and carriers will provide new ways for combining sailing schedule data with other external data sources making it easier to create more powerful online tools that dramatically increase productivity because users will have the information they need brought together in one page.”