ACL Airshop and CORE Transport Technologies have announced a strategic alliance for bringing Bluetooth-enabled logistics technology to the air cargo industry, by jointly providing automated tracking of unit load devices (ULDs).

Both say predictive analytics and big data are just part of the new efficiencies the innovation can bring to carriers, who will also be able to track cargo loads by the container and pallet. The tracking system will also give real-time monitoring and status reports, and reduce both the loss and/or the overstocking of pallets and other cargo equipment.

The two companies have carried out extensive beta testing with carriers and an array of multiple ULDs, with 100 per cent tracking reliability. Similarly, a global air carrier conducted another CORE test which succeeded with hundreds of ULDs.

They says market readiness is now complete. Regulatory aspects such as compliance with FCC and FAA rules have been addressed, plus rigorous adherence to RTCA-DO-160 (Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment).

CORE managing director and chief executive officer, Ian Craig says: “While CORE has initiated a number of previous technology products independently, with the most current offering of COREInsight Tracking technology, we felt it is best suited for a partnership with a great industry leader like ACL Airshop.

“By partnering with ACL, we introduce a new benefit to leasing ULD Equipment, whereby the lessee can now have an automated avenue to track their leased ULD even when it may be outside their own system. Core grants ACLAS the worldwide exclusive right to license, sublicense, and sell the ULD tracking technology, in tandem with us. ACLAS customers will always know where their ULD’s are located and when they are being utilised.”

ACL executive vice president, Wes Tucker says the partnership is not only about tracking ACL’s 40,000 ULDs, it’s also about partnering with a formidable technology company to bring electronic ULD tracking to the airline industry.

He adds: “This is a positive game-changer for ACL Airshop and its hundreds of airlines clients. COREInsight ULD service tracks these valuable assets in real time. FOR ACL’s airlines clients, we predict this will be a low-cost logistics efficacy enhancement that will remarkably improve how we can help them manage their fleet and save money long-term.”

ACL chairman, Steve Townes says: “Speaking for our entire team of Ranger Airshop co-owners, we are excited to advance and accelerate this new logistics sophistication for ACL’s airline clients, and we are delighted to be partnering with such an excellent teammate as CORE Transport Technologies.

“We are aiming to accelerate Bluetooth tracking into usage for the many airlines customers who will value the compelling new efficiencies it is designed to deliver for their ULDs.”

ACL provides ULD solutions to over 200 carriers and cargo clients, with services, repairs, and leasing operations at 40 of the world’s Top 50 air cargo hub airports, while CORE Transport Technologies is a software developer, providing services to the transportation process in multiple industries.