interview


How has your Strategic Services offering performed?


“The start for our Strategic Services offering has been very positive. We had initiated it with a select few customers and the concept was very well received by them. In recent months we have moved on from the concept stage to real work where we are now engaged with five of these customers in Asia, Europe and Americas to help them transform their business for success. The whole concept is truly about IBS partnering customers for business transformation.”


Have you made much progress on your ‘Mobile Strategy’?


“Yes, it has excited some of our customers and we are getting some very creative thoughts from them. One such customer asked us to develop an application on iPhone for their crew to access their rosters while on the move. Although a small application, it is the kind of thing that excites the end user and also provides business benefits to the customer. “We have made mobile applications one of our key focus


areas across product lines and are developing technology and application frameworks to incorporate mobile capabilities into our flagship products. For example, in iCargo, we are now in the final stages of design and development of a set of prototypes that can illustrate the benefits of such capabilities. “We have also been working with our customers to jointly


identify touch points as well as business areas that can benefit from mobile technology.”


What have been the main trends in IT as it relates to the air freight industry of late?


“SaaS, cloud computing and outsourcing seem to be the keywords these days, reiterated in almost every trade event, conference and industry convention. I think we as an industry are still far from actually using cloud computing to our benefit. It will take some time before the ‘clouds’ will be ready to support mission-critical 24x7 systems. “We also see that there is a shift within corporates in terms


of their approach to IT. IT is increasingly being recognised as an enabler for realising a business strategy. Business enterprises now seem to rely on IT to bring in business process change, discipline, efficiency and improved customer services while supporting their growth strategy.”


Likewise, what do you think are going to be the major trends of this year?


We believe that enterprise mobility is going to be the buzzword for the industry, as also associated services through social networks like Facebook and Twittter. Much of this is being pushed by the youngsters who join the workforce and the very low cost of mobile devices and communication, in growth economies like India and China.”


Where do you think that IBS offers a product or service that differs from its competitors?


“I think we possibly offer the largest breadth of solutions covering all aspects of the aviation business. If you then add Software Services and Strategic Services offerings, our portfolio is unparalleled. “Our biggest offering to the industry has been ‘innovation’ –


be it in the form of the next-generation fully integrated cargo management system, the most capable loyalty system, or the aircraft and airport operations portfolio – that has led to liberation from the old, very expensive and inflexible legacy systems. “We have been bringing products and solutions to the


industry that challenge the existing paradigms. We take pride in the fact that the industry still sees us as a software company, where good products and solutions are backed up by the essential capabilities and strength of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) skills. It is this unique positioning of being a ‘products-led services company’ that makes IBS truly unique.”


When it comes to IT solutions for the logistics industry, what is this business really about?


“Although we talk about technologies and business processes, at the end of the day, business is still done between people. Our large and experienced talent pool lays emphasis on human relationships that goes beyond transactional engagements. This makes IBS successful. “Our true assets are these wonderful people and it


is they who make the difference to our business and to our customers’ business.”


Our biggest offering to the industry has been innovation”


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