Integrated Communication in the Air Cargo Sector
Meerbusch, Germany – Business partners use Cargo Community Systems (CCS) as information hubs for electronic data exchange in the air cargo sector. However, airlines often use different providers of communications systems and data formats, resulting in media breakdowns for freight forwarders. Riege Software International provides a software solution that closes this gap. “Global Connect” receives documents and status updates from forwarders and airlines, converts them into the appropriate format and forwards the messages between the partners.
With Global Connect from industry supplier Riege Software International air freight forwarders can close their dataflow gap with airlines. For example, the application forwards IATA Cargo IMP messages (Cargo Interchange Message Procedures) and status updates via the Cargo Community System through which the air cargo carrier can best be reached. “With some airlines, data exchange has not been possible to the desired extent,” explained Johannes Riege, CEO of Riege Software International. “Global Connect now enables the exchange of data not only with certain airlines, but fundamentally creates a parallel connection to different cargo community systems,” he said.
In contrast to conventional data exchange through just one CCS (Single-CCS), Global Connect supplies forwarders with data from many more airlines (Multi-CCS). Major transport documents and messages, such as air waybills (AWB), manifest data for the transmission of loading data to the US Customs Service (AMS) and automatic status updates can thus be sent to more airlines. Forwarders also benefit in the transmission of their documents from the transparency and user friendliness of the processes as the implementation of the data takes place automatically with the Global Connect software.
The use of Global Connect also ensures a significant increase in the efficiency of processes between the air cargo partners. This is because the connection of only one other CCS allows the forwarder to communicate with about 30-65 percent more airlines.
The company Astracon Air Sea Transport Concept GmbH already successfully uses the solution of Riege Software International to communicate with airlines. Frank Wannenmacher, CEO of Astracon confirms: “We rely on data exchange with all airlines for the transmission of AMS data and provision of status reports. No other provider could yet offer this service to this extent. For Astracon the use of Global Connect means cost savings without any administrative workload.”
Riege Software International supports data exchange with the cargo community systems of Traxon Europe, CCN Singapore, Descartes, and direct communication with Austrian Airlines and Emirates / Skychain. Either exclusive data exchange with one single CCS or a combined operation with several CCS can be configured on an individual basis.
More information about the software is available at www.riege.com.
About Riege Software International
Riege Software International is based in Meerbusch, Germany, and provides multi-functional and integrated software solutions for air and sea freight operations, ground handling as well as customs services. A family run business and trusted partner of forwarders, carriers and manufacturing companies, Riege Software employs approximately 70 qualified staff. With profound industry experience and IT know-how, the company implements and supports customer-specific projects in all aspects of standard and value-added services, offering a wide range of service and support. Riege Software International supports more than 250 customers worldwide with offices in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. The list of long-term customers who benefit from Riege software solutions includes Astracon, Dachser, DB Schenker, DSV, Geis SDV, Jet-Speed, Kerry Logistics, Logwin, UTi and Zufall.