As Jasraj Chug, director and co-founder, Cargoflash Infotech, notes automation is the need of the hour.
Chug emphasises that as we think of business post-pandemic, technology must be embraced. “New technology will increase efficiency, show real-time performance leading to an eco-sustainable operation, which in turn will lead to better decisions and increased returns,” he stresses.
“Air cargo will be a critical zone of durability for airlines and airports in the foreseeable future, provided that the management make it a strategic priority to introduce simple, integrated and digital solutions to automate the entire process, end-to-end.
“In today’s fast era of competition and commercialisation, the implementation of technology and automation to longstanding air cargo management has become an obligation.
“A positive trend to see is that the air cargo sector is gradually absorbing that conviction into their business,” Chug tells ACW.
Observing the industry, Chug has noted that numerous global companies are yet to realise automation’s necessity despite the fact many businesses are now shifting their priorities, due to the pandemic.
He says the financial benefits of a one-time investment in digitalising operations are clear.
“When the Covid-19 crisis hit, air transportation halted and passenger revenues plunged by approximately 69%. In contrast, cargo revenues surged 27%, as a loss of space in the bellies of passenger fleets triggered an unprecedented capacity shortage hence, throwing off the standard supply-demand balance.
“This situation is now getting stabilised to a great extent owing to the implementation of digital solutions in air cargo operations and management.
Learnings
What does CargoFlash make of the new business landscape and how will things change? Chug says: “During the current times, we witnessed the emergence of cargo bookings made on a single platform thus allowing a convergence of multiple airlines and freight forwarders on a singular interface. This is where our cloud-based platform, featuring all the next-generation ‘nGen’ systems, comes into the picture.
“We also observed a rapid surge in e-commerce operations owing to which, we are persistently focussing on developing our door-to-door e-solutions, allowing the airlines to become virtual integrators. We have successfully implemented the D2D’s (e-commerce) ‘First and Last Mile’ handling and tracking solution for its clients. The consumers can now seamlessly integrate their airline cargo terminal operations with the ‘first and last mile’ warehousing e-commerce platform.
“Also, the company has applied advanced encrypted messaging technology in its cloud-based software solutions, by partnering with the Luxemburg-based EDIfly. Followed by this, the company also got on board with its second and third-biggest carriers, to date, namely Philippine Airlines and Kenya Airways to provide an all-inclusive solution.”
Ahead of the curve
“Cargoflash Infotech is thinking ahead of the curve and designing future-ready systems to collaborate between the key stakeholders of the air cargo industry. Cargoflash is directing the right kind of words in the global market, adhering to the need to implement digital solutions in air cargo management.
“The company’s single platform solutions are allowing aviation stakeholders to access real-time information, which will be the harbinger for Proactive Data Analysis, leading to a better cargo product definition.
“Service and Price recommendation engines will soon change the way air cargo is commercialised. With the smart, seamless and intuitive solutions, Cargoflash aims to draw more potential stakeholders and spearhead the idea of how technology can simplify the entire air cargo operation as we effectively digitalise its management, worldwide.
2022
Translating these trends into products, Chug says the way forward for the business will be launching the nGen Vani, a multilingual AI-Chatbot that will enable the users to have human-like interaction with the system and get the desired information.
“Following this will be a 3D Warehouse Visualisation to assist the warehouse supervisors to view the warehouse, real-time, and plan shipment storage/ retrieval based on the Loading Instruction Priority.
“Also, we plan to introduce a Cargo Lens, using AI/ML, which is a shipment recognition technology. Further in 2022, we aim to further penetrate the global air cargo domain by providing integrated and advanced cloud-based solutions for air cargo management, on a global scale. Furthermore, the company is consistently emphasising the aspect of quality in its existing platforms and solutions whilst developing new software for the global air cargo domain.”
