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Traxon swallows Champ


Traxon Europe has now been completely integrated into Champ Cargosystems to improve connectivity between airlines and forwarders. “There was a small amount


of overlap of the activities of the two companies,” admits James Fernandez, VP global commercial operations, “but the integration of the two has created greater efficiencies by promoting and supporting e-freight initiatives. “In the past, Champ


Cargosystems was very airline- and ground handler-centric. Now we provide much greater connectivity with forwarders. Forwarders, in turn, gain access to a wider global reach, as Traxon focussed primarily on Europe. We have a much greater presence in North America and Asia Pacific. Our customer base also includes a greater number of airlines, allowing forwarder to connect with more suppliers than previously possible.” Now that Champ Cargosystems


is embracing the agent side of the airfreight community,


it is also


By Marcia Macleod


expanding its forwarding portfolio. Although no details of the new services have yet been released, Fernandez has emphasised that investment is being made in services designed to help the 80% of forwarders which are small and medium sized enterprises. “We want to take electronic messaging to the next level to give forwarders more control of their business,” he says. E-cargo remains at the heart


of all Champ Cargosystems’ products. “There are lots of different systems in the market,” Fernandez points out. “Governments and other bodies want to get rid of paper. They want more customs information to be provided electronically.


But customers - the airlines and forwarders - are all at different levels of maturity. Most have e-airwaybills, but we have found some agents who have not yet reached even this basic level of e-cargo. “Messaging is the foundation


for all of these initiatives, but forwarders and airlines have their own way of communicating, their own processes and technology platforms, which makes it hard to ensure data is transmitted successfully. It is important to have someone like Champ Cargosystems who understands both sides of the equation and can integrate systems so that messages are sent more easily.”


French go it alone


The French airfreight community is


not relying on Champ


Cargosystems to ensure the right data is available at the right time: it has launched its own cargo community system, Cargo Information Network (CIN) to provide a comprehensive database and paperless messaging system at Charles de Gaulle and other French airports.


CIN enables carriers, forwarders,


shippers (via The French Shippers Council, L’Autf), customs and other relevant bodies to exchange electronic data, validate and track cargo in


compliance with EU security and other directives and


even calculate VAT. So far, CIN airline members


include Delta Airlines, Luſthansa, Eva Air, Air Tahiti Nui and, of course, Air France. United Airlines is expected to come on board shortly. There are also 25 forwarders and two IT companies signed up to the CCS. Although some CIN members


still use Champ Cargosystems to carry out messaging, according to Jean Francois Bouilhaguet, president of CIN, more and more are turning to CIN because connections are free. He also claims


that more companies are relying on CIN for greater


real-time information about shipments, such as confirmation that cargo has been loaded and leſt France, which Champ Cargosystems cannot provide. “Up to 7% of airfreight is not loaded correctly,” he says. “If we detect a wrong step


in the global process, we can alert all relevant parties,” says Bouilhaguet. “In addition, we can identify any export cargo that is being wrongly declared, which would mean the CIN member concerned would not benefit from the automatic VAT exemption normally granted to exporters.”


Logistics soſtware supplier AEB has published the first two of a series of white papers aimed at helping customers, particularly SMEs, get the best out of their systems. The papers are on smart freight cost calculation, including carrier selection, and freight invoice auditing. Freight cost calculation


analyses different carrier terms and conditions to calculate the optimum supplier for each job, depending on the load, journey time and complexity and desired delivery date.


A number of


Issue 5 2012


Navigating the soſtware maze 33


soſtware packages are available to help shippers and forwarders make the right carrier selection. However, says AEB, choosing


the right soſtware is itself not an easy task. Navigating the Price Maze: Smart Freight Calculation was written to help readers make the right investment, examining essential requirements, options and benefits of different functions and modules. Freight


invoice auditing, also


known as freight audit and pay, is increasingly outsourced. Freight Invoice Auditing: Not Worth the


Hassle? outlines some of the benefits of checking invoices and the advantages and disadvantages of different systems. “We are writing these papers


to help customers and potential customers


understand the


administration side of managing freight costs,” says a spokesman. The next white papers to be


released will cover analysis of freight usage and freight cost re- allocation (eg passing the cost on to supplier or customer). All the white papers are free to download from www.aeb-international.co.uk.


Calogi speeds Dubai shipments


Almost all express and mail shipments moving through Dnata’s Dubai facility are now being processed in a paper-free system, thanks to Calogi Express Handling Module.


The digital


information and document system replaces paper-based manual processes which required airlines and agents to re-key information. By submitting electronic data in advance, users can cut 30 minutes off the time taken to process a courier shipment.


“Express shipment customers


can now do business with our existing airline customers,” explains Patrick Murray, head of Calogi. This includes space booking, production of customs documentation and airwaybills, provision of quotations and invoices, and track and trace of all express and mail consignments. The system was initially tested


by small integrators before being rolled out to the multinationals, such as DHL, TNT, UPS, and


Fedex. “Now,” says Murray, “99% of all Dnata’s express and mail movements are processed using Calogi.” The company plans to expand all


of Calogi, which initially controlled the movement of ordinary airfreight in Dubai, to other airports, using a network of overseas agents. So far, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, China and Pakistan are all using Calogi; it is also talking to potential customers in Europe, North and South America.


Other News Olympic news from ASM


Customs clearance software firm Agency Sector Management streamed a Twitter feed giving real-time updates on traffic congestion around Heathrow Airport during the Olympics to its web site (www.asm.org.uk). The Heathrow Air Freight Forum (HAFF) is being coordinated by


Allport operations manager Damian Slack, and was set up by the British International Freight Associatio to communicate real time updates on traffic and other issues affecting the cargo terminal. Slack adds: “I am sure this will have a life beyond the Olympics - we can


get information out quickly about strikes or congestion for example.” ASM’s web site also now lists


the latest authorized Customs Information Papers (CIPS), enabling users to review and evaluate any potential impact of new legislation on their business.


Click2ship for US imports


The US arm of trade-only airfreight and express wholesaler Air Menzies International (AMI) has launched Click2ship Imports, an import version of its online door-to-door Express wholesale product.


rates for


It provides all-inclusive import shipments collected


anywhere in the world. Rates include collection at origin, Customs clearances and delivery in the US, but exclude duties and taxes,


together with a dedicated live chat facility to answer customer queries. Click2ship Exports was launched 12 months ago. A toll-free phone service is also


available. Rational!


Since choosing the ForwardOffice software package, and Forward Computers as IT partners, we have not looked back. The whole system has been the bedrock of our Company since 1999 and the advances, past, present and future, help us to stay at the forefront of our specialised fi eld of NVOC services.


Bob Andrews, Managing Director, Globelink-Fallow


Speak to the freight software experts today call +44 (0)115 938 0280 or email sales@forwardcomputers.co.uk


www.forwardcomputers.co.uk K10110_fbj 70x133-aw.indd 1 25/04/2012 11:44


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