CARGOCONNECT JULY2024 - Flipbook - Page 42
SPECIAL FEATURE
E-COMMERCE SURGE
Digitalisation stands as a pivotal factor in the ongoing transformation, facilitating the
capture, processing, and reporting of shipment data, alongside the design of costeffective business processes to accommodate burgeoning demand. The e-commerce
consumer demands instant gratification, both in terms of delivery speed and shipment
visibility. Meeting these expectations entails providing reliable delivery estimates and
minute-by-minute tracking updates, crucial factors influencing customer loyalty in this
highly competitive industry. Any deviation from these expectations can sway customer
loyalty, given the thin margin of error in this lucrative market.
ASHOK RAJAN, SVP and Head– Cargo and Logistics Solutions, IBS Software
Rajan underscores the necessity for
enhanced shipment visibility, particularly
the challenge of providing real-time tracking
data to e-commerce providers and end
recipients. He notes that while this objective
may appear straightforward, it presents a
formidable challenge for air cargo carriers
and handlers, who predominantly manage
cargo in consolidated shipments rather than
individual packages. Addressing this challenge demands operational enhancements
in technology, infrastructure, and processes
to facilitate granular tracking capabilities.
From a technological standpoint,
IBS Software o昀昀ers airlines and Ground
Handling Agents (GHAs) the capability
to implement well-de昀椀ned transportation
plans, proactively monitor shipments, and
uphold associated Service Level Agreements
(SLAs), minimising the potential for manual
errors. Rajan emphasises the importance of
supporting piece-level tracking and seamlessly integrating updates with e-commerce
platforms through Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs).
Moreover, he underscores the imperative for air cargo providers to signi昀椀cantly
enhance their operational capacities to
manage shipments at such detailed levels,
necessitating adjustments to business
processes and investments in warehouse
automation.
Digitalisation, Rajan says, stands as a
pivotal factor in the ongoing transformation,
facilitating the capture, processing, and
reporting of shipment data, alongside the
design of cost-e昀昀ective business processes to
accommodate burgeoning demand. “Regulatory frameworks governing cross-border
e-commerce tra昀케c wield signi昀椀cant in昀氀uence, with recent mandates, particularly in
regions like Europe, compelling enhanced
visibility of shipment data at the package
level, thereby elevating the complexity of
e-commerce logistics handling.”
As e-commerce flourishes, supply
chains grapple with heightened intricacy,
compelling companies to embrace real-time
operational visibility to fulfill evolving
customer expectations. This necessitates
42 | CARGOCONNECT JULY 2024
