UN/EDIFACT - A Freight forwarder perspective
Started out with very low ability and resource Background 1st UK independently owned forwarder to utilise exchange of electronic shipping data 15+ years. Started out with very low ability and resource Dedicated use of standards and commitment of ‘service provider’ enabled progression to take place, industry wasn’t fully ready at time
The Sell/specification.. 200X Customs Declaration Customer Freight Forwarder Shipping Line Booking Booking Shipping Instruction Booking Shipping Instruction Haulier
The Truth.. Customs Shipping Line Customer (EDI) Service Provider (Inttra) Shipping Line Declaration Customer (XML) Service Provider (other) Shipping Line Customer (XML A) Freight Forwarder Booking Shipping Line Customer (XML B) Service Provider (other) Shipping Line Booking Customer (XML C) Shipping Line Shipping Line Customer (iDoc) Haulier Haulier Haulier Shipping Line Shipping Line Customer (other..) Haulier Haulier Haulier
The Solution - Standards Customs Service Provider (Inttra) Declaration Service Provider (other) Customer (EDI) API Freight Forwarder IFTMBF Customer (iDoc) Booking Shipping Line (Direct) Booking Haulier
Asking the awkward question, “Why?” How We achieved Removed use of XML where possible through education and open discussion Introduction of the Core Component Library (CCL) within the API and user interface to simplify the mappings and assist development. Asking the awkward question, “Why?”
Beneficial outcome Simpler Workflows = Happy Staff Enabled new business, electronic exchange of data mandatory to tender (now at least top 10 customers) Re-using UN/EDIFACT standards allowed data integration with overseas partner network, no overseas trips required, language barriers overcome through use of standards. Job creation,15% of company now software developers, 1.5 people specific to data exchange. Reduced time to ‘Go Live’ Technology became critical to ongoing business success
VERMAS - Carrier Testing Phase
4.5 million Status Messages (IFTSTA) 15,000 Electronic Booking Messages Processed (IFTMBF) 4,000 Electronic Shipping Instructions Sent (IFTMIN) 6 Months 4.5 million Status Messages (IFTSTA) ROI..££