With increased focus on ensuring efficient supply chains, BlueBox Systems is looking to deliver holistic visibility to the logistics industry.

BlueBox Systems empowers logistics and supply chain firms with real-time air and ocean freight cargo tracking, including CO2 emissions monitoring. 

The company’s approach involves a robust platform that aggregates data from over 130 global airlines. By analysing these extensive datasets, BlueBox Systems provides highly accurate information about each shipment’s current location, estimated time of arrival and departure (ETA/ETD), potential risks like split shipments, CO2 emission levels, country-to-country performance, and identification of disruptive trade lanes. 

“We offer a seamless and scalable system, complete with a user-friendly portal with a fast and intuitive interface, our web-based platforms BlueBox Air and BlueBox Ocean use  tracking API for both air and ocean freight,” Martin Schulze, CEO of BlueBox Systems, said. “Furthermore, the portfolio is complemented by a white-label solution for companies that want to use its technology to offer their own air cargo management system to their customers.”

Transparency adds value

The key challenges every industry and company faces is to align transparency, efficiency and digitalisation with the overall strategy and prove its value for the business. This is especially true when it comes to transparency. 

“Our strategic target is to provide our customers with a “holistic visibility”, or as we call it a 360° view on their business. Visibility is traditionally seen in functional silos or for individual process instances,” Schulze added. 

“For example,  “Where is my shipment in the transportation chain” – a 360° view would include information on the status of the goods (like temperature), the ecological footprint, or the costs associated with the transportation” he continued. “But even further it will consider what the information on a single shipment tells about the actual performance of a company or an entire supply chain with multiple companies involved.”

When it comes to concrete implementation, data quality and effective information organisation, readiness to adopt new methodologies and practices are key success factors.

“Problems are usually in the interfaces between organisations or functions, so providing this holistic view will ultimately make the difference and provide the most value to any company, when it comes to visibility,” Schulze highlighted. “This is the target, and our platform already provides a lot of functionality and information in that regards, but the journey continues.”  

Speedy integration

The digitalisation of the airfreight industry has experienced rapid growth in the last years. The disruptions experienced during the pandemic showed that new solutions were necessary to address global challenges. 

These solutions range from predictive platforms for estimating cargo arrival times to remotely operated aircraft enabling same-day delivery options to remote locations. 

“Many companies are concentrating on AI solutions capable of not only collecting data but also providing valuable insights into significant patterns and process optimisation. However, the industry lags behind sectors like finance, running mainly on legacy IT systems,” Schulze stated.

“Organisations in the airfreight sector should pinpoint strategic areas for improvement that align with their business needs,” he explained. “They should identify digitalisation market players capable of addressing these needs, enabling rapid piloting and scalability. Collaborative partnership programmes involving industry suppliers, users, and customers can foster a competitive environment that accelerates the adoption of digitalisation.”

READ: Siemens Digital Logistics relies now on BlueBox Systems

Bringing data together

The unified platform presented by BlueBox Systems offers all the mentioned visibility aspects for both air and ocean freight in one portal, that can be accessed by all parties involved in the supply chain, even across enterprises.

Additionally, this platform is available in a white label version so, branded by a customer who can offer it as their own service. For example, the logistics association WACO System is using the white label solution of BlueBox Systems, so that the company can offer its members BlueBox Air and Ocean. For the WACO-members, the system is WACO branded, but BlueBox Systems delivers the information. 

“Whether using the ocean or airfreight solution, one important aspect is the possibility for WACO-members to collaborate through the platforms,” Schulze stated. “They can share shipment related comments and documents in the detail view of a shipment and combine them with the accurate shipment data. So, if two members work together on one shipment, the Waco version of BlueBoxAir or BlueBoxOcean is the best tool to do that.”

READ: Hellmann successfully digitises itself through BlueBox Systems

Keeping you up-to-date 

Showcasing its realtime data tracking services, BlueBox Systems pointed to several use cases it had recently with customer in Thailand and Chile. 

Using BlueBox Systems’ airfreight tracking programme interface, the logistics service providers, ThinkPrime and Delpa Group, each get the ability to integrate BlueBox Systems’ tracking data into their own platform, allowing the independent applications to communicate with each other and share data in real time. 

This gives all parties along the supply chain access to the most up-to-date and accurate information. For example, carriers gain access to realtime shipment data to optimise routes and allocate resources efficiently. 

Similarly, manufacturers can get up-to-date shipment tracking information so they can plan production and proactively manage inventory. At the same time, the API solution enhances security by providing controlled data access that ensures only authorised parties can access and use shared information.

Finally, the API streamlines processes by fostering automation and seamless system interactions, reducing manual intervention, and improving overall operational efficiency.

Green goals

For BlueBox Systems, the opportunity to collaborate with other players and enhance its solution with added value to solve business needs of customers is a crucial component of its current model. 

In order to provide that unified platform, the company is collaborating with industry leaders when it comes to carbon emission calculation.

“Our aim is not to reinvent the wheel but create solutions for the visibility needs of a heterogeneous customer base and provide the best solution and service available on the market,” Schulze said. 

“At BlueBox Systems, we’re charting a greener future for air cargo in Southeast Asia. Our advanced CO2-tracking capacity is revolutionising the industry by providing realtime insights into carbon emissions, allowing businesses to make more sustainable choices,” he stated.

“We’re proud to announce that we are gaining an ever-increasing number of clients from Asia, demonstrating the growing recognition of our commitment to environmentally responsible logistics solutions.”