• Awery Aviation Software is helping Southeast Asia’s small and mid-sized air cargo operators modernise through modular, phased digital adoption, allowing SMEs to integrate AI-driven tools without costly, disruptive system overhauls.
• By connecting legacy processes with smart platforms like CargoBooking, Awery enables real-time visibility, streamlined workflows, and operational efficiency, demonstrated by regional users such as Malaysia’s Menteiz Aviation.
• With manufacturing shifting to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand and e-commerce driving demand for speed and transparency, modular digitalisation is positioned as a critical enabler for competitiveness and growth in the region.

Southeast Asia’s air cargo sector is being reshaped by e-commerce and shifting manufacturing flows, but many of the region’s operators are still running on fragmented or outdated systems. For smaller and mid-sized companies, the challenge is not awareness of digitalisation but the cost and disruption of implementation.

Awery Aviation Software argues that the only workable solution is modular adoption—digital tools that can be phased in gradually, giving SMEs a chance to modernise without shutting down operations or blowing through scarce capital.

“Customer feedback is central to our approach. In my role, I work directly with customers during onboarding and beyond, ensuring their input drives the development of our tools,” said Phaedra den Hertog of Awery. “This close relationship means we can quickly adapt our solutions to meet evolving needs and help our customers modernise their operations without disruption.”

Closing the gap for SMEs

Many of Southeast Asia’s forwarders and GSAs fall into the small and mid-sized bracket, often using legacy systems or a patchwork of manual processes. For them, adopting a new digital platform in one go is both financially and operationally unrealistic.

“Many smaller and mid-sized companies, in Southeast Asia but also across the world, face challenges with outdated or fragmented digital infrastructure. Awery can bridge that gap by integrating our ERP platform with any system, no matter how basic or advanced,” den Hertog said.

“This enables businesses to connect legacy processes with AI-driven, smart technology, allowing the free flow of information without complete system upheaval. By giving smaller operators the tools to work smarter and faster, we help them compete on a level playing field, which ultimately benefits the efficiency and resilience of the air cargo sector as a whole.”

Modular platforms over wholesale upgrades

Rather than push for expensive full-system replacements, Awery promotes a modular platform that lets companies start small. This approach is gaining traction among regional players who want to digitalise without major upfront investment.

“Absolutely. Many air cargo companies are looking for solutions that allow them to take a phased approach to digitalisation, without the need for costly, all-at-once overhauls,” den Hertog said. “Awery’s platform accommodates for this, allowing customers to start with the features they need most, and then add more tools as their operations grow.”

For a sector where margins remain tight and investment decisions are closely tied to cash flow, flexibility is becoming as important as functionality.

Case in point: Menteiz Aviation

One regional customer demonstrating this approach is Menteiz Aviation, a Malaysian GSA and airline that has embedded Awery’s CargoBooking platform into both its internal operations and across forwarding partners.

“One great example is our work with Menteiz Aviation, a GSA and airline based in Malaysia. It is a heavy user of our CargoBooking platform, not just within its own operations but also across its forwarding partners, which has created a far more connected and efficient workflow for everyone involved,” den Hertog said.

Menteiz has since expanded the partnership into accounting integrations, stripping out manual steps and building real-time visibility into its operations. The results have been strong enough to support its expansion into India, with Awery continuing to provide the digital backbone.

Regional momentum building

The outlook for digital adoption in Southeast Asia is not in doubt—only the pace and accessibility of that adoption. Manufacturing shifts from China into Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are already boosting export volumes, while e-commerce continues to push demand for speed and transparency across the supply chain.

“We predict that digital adoption across Southeast Asia is set to accelerate significantly in the coming years,” den Hertog said. “Manufacturing shifts from China to countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are increasing export volumes, and the region’s booming e-commerce sector is demanding ever-faster, more transparent supply chains. To keep up, companies will need robust digital infrastructure, and Awery will be there to provide it.”