Air freight handlers worldwide are thrilled with the recent technological innovations—Robotics, automation, Data Science, Blockchain, AI, Internet of Things and drones—being used for carrying out business operations efficiently by the carriers, and for loading and unloading on the ground level.
Ritika Arora Bhola
While digitization of air cargo processes continues across the industry, innovation and implementation of advanced user-friendly SaaS Solutions, technologies, robotics, and automation, the robust performance of air cargo and logistics is certain. Technologies such as RFID, GPS, e-AWB, ERP, ULIP, Kale’s Cargo Community System and ML, among others have given the sectors an edge over the others and the outcome has been phenomenal.
The industry and the government have invested a lot in digital innovation. Air freight handlers worldwide are thrilled with the recent technological innovations—Robotics, automation, Data Science, Blockchain, AI, IoT, and drones—being used for carrying out business opertations efficiently inside the carriers, and loading and unloading on the ground level.
Stakeholders are deploying tech as it is believed to bring in supply chain consistency, adherence and performance as demanded by the customers. spoke to logistics experts to gain an insight on the digital revolution that is
going to transform the industry all together.
Steven Polmans, Chairman, TIACA
A lot of automation using advanced technology is being done by the integrators, e-commerce, and distribution players. To achieve an efficient and reliable supply chain, we should not only use technology to optimize an organization, but also facilitate cooperation and coordination and generate visibility in cross-company processes. The actors in the supply chain should be able to work on ‘a single version of the truth’ that requires sharing, re-using, and enriching data throughout a shipment’s journey.
We see a growing interest from ground handlers to digitalize processes with solutions that are fast and easy to implement. The companies need a simple manner to access business and operational forecast data to smoothen their own activities. Cross-company optimization initiatives driven by the airport, as part of an airport community system can leverage these technology investments further. The more digitization becomes the norm and paper-based processes are eliminated, more attractive will the industry become for younger generation. However, in such a case, things might move slower.
On the one hand, the airports still hesitate as to where to commence, while on the other hand, moving a community more often than not takes a lot longer as it involves coordination, trust-building, and change management.
Huned Gandhi, MD, Air & Sea Logistics, Indian Subcontinent, Dachser India
The logistics and air cargo industry has been evolving rapidly with the advancement of technology. The companies are investing in new technologies and skillset to provide solutions to their clients to keep up with the industry’s changing demands. Many logistics companies, for example, are utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to optimize their supply chain operations and increase efficiency. They are investing in new technologies such as Blockchain to improve operational transparency and security. Different organizations and geographic regions are adopting new technologies in the production environment at varying rates. To better serve their clients, the logistics and air cargo industries are constantly adjusting to new technologies and skillset. However, with all the development going on, we unquestionably need more public and private training institutes to provide more avenues and courses for training, including hands-on
orientation to the newest technologies and tools available to the industry.
Alpana Chaturvedi, Chief Executive Officer, MyLogistics Gurukul
Advancement in technologies and other processes, trainings, and skilling go hand in hand. It is not possible to introduce new processes and not bother to upskill or train people and make them job ready. In fact, as changes are taking place rapidly, it will be judicious to have a future ready workforce. The client/customer is also looking for better and prompt services. So, if the workforce is not ready, then the service will not be up to the standards, resulting in unhappy clients. Many functions have changed from manual to automation; the workforce must be geared up towards making bookings online, checking availability of rates, issuing e-AWBs, ERP systems and documents filing. In fact, training is important for the participants to understand the repercussion of small mistakes—they may cause huge revenue loss for the organization/s. Now with the penetration of automation
and causing a meaningful impact on many functions in the logistic cycle, I believe it must be adequately supported by trained manpower.
Anshuman Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, Stellar Value Chain Solutions
With increasing customer demand coupled with crunched timelines, logistics companies are taking up advanced technologies to transform their supply chain from a pure operations hub to being the epicentre of business innovation. Forward-thinking companies take time and effort to train their manpower with the right skillset needed to become efficient in providing first-class solutions, right from collecting data at every checkpoint and updating the status of raw materials flow in the appropriate condition and location of goods.
Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and advanced analytics help drive automation and deliver insights that promote efficiencies among the skilled workforces. While there is still a huge learning curve with some of the more advanced technologies, there is no question the supply chain is during a frame-by-frame makeover. Technology is at the core of Stellar Value Chain Solutions. For example, we have developed some proprietary tools such as SMART Space Manpower Assets Risk Management and Technology. These tools helps in improving services provided to our customers continuously. We have customized apps for customers for Track & Trace specific to their need. We have created a control tower to monitor and manage the inventory across the entire supply chain. This has resulted in reduction of cost, time and effort for the customer thus enhancing their productivity.
Donna Mullins, VP, Kale Info Solutions
Our enterprise and community solutions are smart and offer complete automation and digitization of cargo operations by connecting multiple stakeholders along the air cargo value chain. They also enable seamless cargo movement and facilitation of electronic communication between pertinent stakeholders, including customs, redefining, and consolidating operations.
Our platforms are used by importers, exporters, forwarders, customs brokers, ground handlers, airlines, freight stations, customs, chambers of commerce, and transporters. They also have several fulfilment mechanisms, including a web portal, system-to-system integration, and bureau service. Most CCS across the world are neutral. Their parentage is either carriers or airports or forwarder networks so there is a conflict of interest. However, our solutions have a completely neutral platform. During
the pandemic, when business continuity seemed a dream, our solutions, our CCS as well as our point solutions, were seen as a saviour.
To empower them, we offered free trial of our PING solution for generation of e-AWBs for air cargo that boosted the market confidence worldwide, enabling users to survive the difficult times. Our PING product will be a game changer for the new EU ICS 2.0 as it will enable stakeholders to share data in an upstream manner for timely submission of the details to the various governments, for export FFM and import ICS.
Nitish Rai, Co-Founder and CEO, FreighFox
India’s road transport network is highly fragmented, as are most supply chains. This has led to multiple delays and near-zero visibility on shipments in remote parts of India. We address this by using advanced algorithms and millions of transportation data points to provide the best network design as well as suggest the best transport partners and optimal fleet size to fulfil any given requirement. We use predictive market intelligence so that clients pay the right prices for any route and minimize unplanned transport costs.
Also, with our visibility solution, clients are informed about where their goods in transit are. And for each new client, we conduct a Procurement Process Assessment so that they can benchmark themselves against their direct competition and the market in general. This will help companies optimize their decisions and delight their customers. As more SaaS solutions emerge, the support ecosystem has evolved to keep pace with it. Our SaaS platform is hosted on the world’s most secure cloud environments, which ensures reliability, scalability, and data security among others for our customers.
Any new tech innovation is driven by early adopters to begin with. The industry is becoming more technology positive. We have seen it happen for many SaaS solutions designed in India, and we are confident it will happen for us too.
Abhijit Verma, Managing Director, Avinya Logistics & Industrial Parks (AA Holdings)
The ideation, induction and effective implementation of technology is a critical success factor across industries, and so is automation in terms of AI and Robotics in warehousing. It is not only limited to warehousing, but also imperative for the future growth of supply chain management, especially post-COVID, where we have experienced a difference in consumer consumption and demand patterns. Incorporation of RFID, GPS, IOT, automated monitoring systems along with co-Robotics or collaborative robots with human intervention and implementation of autonomous robotics, have contributed to the efficiency of work in the warehouse, logistics and supply chain management. Inevitably, we are on our way to create smart sectors where storage, processes and operations would be with higher accuracy, shorter time span, lesser to none-hazardous incidents, all adapting to the consistent changing demands and environment, thereby gaining stakeholder’s satisfaction.
It is equally important to note that there are many startups who specialize in implementation of the technologies of drones and robotics in the warehousing sector and investments towards implementation of automation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in India, a proof for the critical implementation of technology for improved industries’ performance.
We can imply that digitalization and automation of processes and operations kept the industry safe from the impact of COVID, which despite witnessing curbs be it in terms of supply chain or operations could still deliver and recover and establishing fulfilment of the prime objectives of technology—speed, span, and scope.
Nisschal Jaain, Founder & CEO, Shypmax
Our platform is developed using the latest programs. We use AI and ML for giving freight price quotes to users on our platform. We use predictive analysis to come up with the best pricing that can be given to a customer. Our platform is equipped to read and interpret location-based data, which we use in the live-tracking of the shipments. On our Docu Plus service database, every piece of info pertaining to customs clearance, and EXIM documents will help merchants and customers with easy processing of their shipments. The supply chain tech streamline business processes. The competitive nature of today’s economy leaves less space for inefficiencies. Due to this, businesses must develop and modernize their supply chains:
- To provide secure data access and visibility, implement scalable and secure cloud-based technologies.
- Automate procedures to ensure effective and economical operations.
- To create visibility throughout the supply chain, use predictive analytics and ML algorithms.
- Use Blockchain to share data across stakeholders in transparent manner.
- Ensure prompt delivery by using IoT solutions to track shipments in real-time.
- Deliver customer service available 24×7 to address issues and give stakeholders’ info.
- Implement procedures to safeguard sensitive information and uphold stakeholders’ privacy.
Gautam Mandal, Director, Products, Cargo Flash Infotech
Amid the whirlwind of digital transformation, one company is anchoring the change in the air cargo and logistics industry: Cargo Flash. Embracing advanced technology, they are changing the industry landscape and proving as a game changer in today’s world.
Cargo Flash’s all systems are hosted on MS Azure Clouds, ensuring high availability and disaster recovery. With an industry-leading uptime Service Level Agreement of 99.99 per cent, Cargo Flash guarantees minimal disruption, during peak data volumes.
In an era where data loss poses a risk, Cargo Flash offers robust security measures. Their solution provides integrated information security, granting customers access to the latest threat prevention and detection technologies. Their ability to reconstitute lost information in a short time gives an understanding the importance of business continuity in a digital age.
Central to Cargo Flash’s digital innovation is the NGEN system—an advanced application that harnesses the power of AI and ML to manage targets, budgets, and streamline operations. This system offers dynamic pricing and real-time sales planning, optimizing revenue and providing a competitive edge for airlines in the dynamic cargo landscape. The use of predictive insights and future indicators in the NGEN system allows for detection of imminent target breaches, aiding management in strategizing for maximized revenues. The crux of Cargo Flash’s innovation lies their latest brainchild: Octoloop. This forthcoming neutral digital distribution platform is poised to revolutionize the logistics industry. Octoloop aims to provide a seamless booking experience for all stakeholders in the—airlines, GSA, CSA, and freight forwarders. It promises real-time booking and instant confirmation, ensuring a transparent transaction process.
The unique ‘Expand your network’ feature on Octoloop eliminates geographical restrictions for carriers, allowing them to expand their reach via digital interlining. This coupled with the platform’s ability to auto-construct available routes and rates from multiple airlines, opens a plethora of options for customers.
Aashish Agrawal, Managing Director, India, Freightos
WebCargo by Freightos uses proprietary pricing and routing algorithms that can compare over two million services per search, across air, ocean and trucking. This rapid comparison of routes and rates from multiple sources lets forwarders price, quote and book capacity with airlines faster, easily adding up to one hour per team member per day. Based on bookings last quarter, WebCargo has helped forwarders save well over 20,000 of work. When it comes to visibility, we provide clients with industry-leading data such as the Freightos Baltic Index, the daily and IOSCO-compliant container freight index, and the Freightos Air Index where clients are able to select a route and see live global freight rates, prices and trends. This is trusted by UPS or Amazon.
WebCargo’s unique availability of consistently updated data, provides our clients with the most comprehensive and reliable index of cargo market pricing, allowing them to make more informed booking decisions.
Our APIs provide real-time access to capacity, rates and instant eBooking, bringing additional value to clients by shortening the booking process, with integrations into many of the leading TMSs.
Glyn Hughes, TIACA Director General, The International Air Cargo Association
I am pleased to say there have been from truck slot booking systems that have made cargo drop off/collection process efficient and eco-friendly to digital distribution systems, whereby carriers have made their rates and schedules accessible and digital innovators have used the access to this data to create customized solutions for the forwarding community.
This has then been extended to digitalized settlement options, leveraging the latest developments in Fintech world. We are seeing AI being used to forecast trade flows, which will lead to efficient and optimized operations. Anything that shares data and allows supply chain partners to have information, can take informed decisions leading to efficient operations. And efficiency equates to cost-effective digital developments, which help smooth the air cargo process. If some innovations impede, drop them. Digital solutions take us from the old world of paper into the new world of data sharing on demand, ensuring partners get the information they need when they need it.
Peter Hewitt, Director, Global Cargo, Security and Network Operations Centre, Dronamics
Our industry is susceptible to market challenges—innovation is the key. Cargo is price sensitive, so innovation needs to be practical and have the potential for wide adoption.
We have spearheaded many innovations, which have resulted in a streamlined supply chain process. One of these is the reduction of dwell time, which we have achieved by shortening the cut off times for cargo acceptance and delivery by the customer. This has resulted in an overall decrease in the amount of time
required for the supply chain to operate efficiently.
Also, advanced cargo booking system allows for tracking messages to be sent to mobile devices based on key performance indicators (KPIs) that have been agreed upon with the customer. We are continuously seeking to improve the time of booking by gathering more data. This includes capturing important information such as the dimensions of the cargo, advance notification for hazardous goods, and other factors that have been identified by
the customer.
