THE I.T. SECTION\\\
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Clever stuff from Schiphol
Schiphol Airport’s eFreight Online Academy, launched last year, is helping the airfreight community to embrace Iata’s e-Freight initiative in an effort to reduce throughput times and eliminate unnecessary paperwork. The Academy offers
instructional videos on the use of e-Freight; learning modules explaining how to use electronic messaging and outlining the e-Freight project; and an online forum for users to discuss e-Freight and resolve any problems in using it. “Until everyone is using
e-Freight, none of us can do too much to promote it,” emphasises Saskia van Pelt, Schiphol’s cargo director of business
By Marcia Macleod
development. “Iata’s initial actions failed to get the message across because no airfreight clerk has the time to download and read a 100-page manual from Iata’s web site during office hours. The Academy is designed to stimulate interest and to provide answers and advice for people while they are at work.” Handling agents Menzies, WFS
and Aviapartner, forwarders DB Schenker, Hellmann and
Aerocar and haulier Schiphol Express/Intervracht were the initial testers of e-Freight at the airport. Schiphol’s Air Cargo Netherlands pass for hauliers has been upgraded to a smartcard carrying data for customs-cleared shipments: swiping the card provides security access for vehicle and driver at the handling agent’s premises, which then allocates a truck door for offloading cargo.
HMRC’s new Excise system – it’s just another phase they’re going through
The latest phase of EMCS, the Excise Movement and Control System, designed to replace paper-based recording of movements of excise goods between EU member states, goes live this month. This third phase includes a notification for incorrect or incomplete consignments and also enables energy product movements to be split into multiple destinations. AEB (International) has
updated its EMCSllXpress soſtware, which provides a hosted solution for SMEs, to meet these new requirements. EMCSllXpress is intended to give SMEs a convenient way to make EMCS submissions, discharges, and so on, while maintaining sufficient data to meet HMRC and EU requirements. It guides users through the process of submitting movements
electronically, receiving electronic confirmation and sending notifications. Marston’s Brewery, which
includes brands such as Marston’s Pedigree, Wychwood Hobgoblin and Banks’ Mild, is one of the latest companies to install AEB’s system. “We were
previously using the HMRC Government Gateway
to complete EMCS submissions and discharges,” explains Chris Evans, group logistics manager at Marston’s. “We had been looking for a more convenient and user-friendly solution, which AEB has given us: each e-AD is normally transmitted within just one minute. EMCSllXpress saves us so much time, effort and money.”
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (Hactl) turned on its new cargo handling system on 26 December after nearly three years’ in-house development and a HK$240m (€22m) investment. Shipments from Delta Air Lines
and Japan Airlines are currently on COSAC-Plus, with the rest of Hactl’s customers being switched to the new system this year. The multi-lingual system -
developed in-house because Hactl “couldn’t find anything on the market that matched more than 70% of its requirements” - is accessible by airlines, forwarders and government agencies such as customs via a direct link or through the Internet. The previous Hactl system was not
fully web-enabled, nor was it multi- lingual, relying on English in most applications. Other improvements provided
with COSAC-Plus include the use of imaging, which allows users to photograph cargo or ULDs to record the condition of cargo when it is delivered to the terminal; improved
Hong Kong went it alone to develop its new system
Issue 1 2012
25 The big turn-on in Hong Kong
track and trace with greater analysis of where any problems might have occurred; and the ability for users to personalise its look and feel. COSAC-Plus can be used to
check and modify flight arrival and departure times; update information on ULDs, such as damage or onward flight details; pallet build-up and break-down instructions; record and obtain manifest and airwaybill information;
submit customs
entries; issue and authorise cargo release documents to forwarders; monitor inventory within Hactl; and calculate freight rates. “Ground handling is one of the areas which has the greatest
impact on overall performance,” emphasises Johnny Chan, deputy general mangers Cargo & Mail for Japan Airlines in Hong Kong. “It is good to see that Hactl continues to provide the strongest possible support through its major investment in the latest technology.” COSAC-Plus also involved the
largest single training exercise ever conducted by Hactl, comprising over 350 classes held from August to December 2011, training over 3,500 users from airlines, freight forwarders, government agencies and its own staff. A further 1,000+ users will receive training January to April 2012.
from Up in the air but not out of sight
The development of a GPS cargo tracking device accepted for use on flights has finally ended the frustration of the airfreight ‘black hole syndrome’, suffered by forwarders and shippers whose air cargo consignments could not be monitored whilst on an aircraft. Although Texas-based OnAsset
launched its Sentry 400 FlightSafe device last year, airlines are only just beginning to publicly announce acceptance of the GPS system. United Cargo is happy to take
pallets or cartons with the device on its entire fleet of more than 700 aircraft linking over 370 domestic and international destinations. American and South West also accept the device, while Delta Cargo has said it
will accept ‘approved’ GPS tracking devices - but only lists one: OnAsset Sentry 400 FlightSafe. It is believed other airlines are accepting or trialling the tracking device. Previously, the world’s aviation
safety authorities refused to allow any electronic tracking devices on aircraft because of fears they would interfere with flight controls. However, OnAsset has developed and patented intelligent radio suppression technology which turns the device off on the aircraſt. According to a spokesman, an algorithm within the FlightSafe device recognises when the device is at an airport and loaded onto an aircraſt and ‘goes to sleep’.
The tracking device, which resembles a six-inch envelope, would typically be purchased by forwarders or shippers and be embedded in a carton or pallet before the cargo leaves the consignor’s premises.
The cargo
can then be tracked throughout its entire journey, whichever mode of transport is being used. Each device lasts for approximately six-eight months before needing replacing. Tracking devices are particularly
useful for highly perishable and/or valuable cargo, such as pharmaceuticals and electronics. OnAsset does not provide prices on its website, but they are said to cost ‘a few hundred dollars’.
New system saves time and money, says one
of the country’s leading brewers
Logical!
When we started looking for a new system, the one thing we valued most highly was a good integrated job costing system. But we also wanted to produce documentation, do customs entries, produce quotes and handle sales enquiries. Forward Computers offered all that - plus the best training and support to get us up and running in the shortest possible time.
Geoff Hogg, Managing Director, Unsworth Global Logistics
Speak to the freight software experts today call +44 (0)115 938 0280 or email
sales@forwardcomputers.co.uk
www.forwardcomputers.co.uk K9890_fbj
70x133-aw.indd 1 06/09/2011 09:47
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