Simplifying cargo movement across the eFreight value chain with eAWB

Air cargo still relies heavily on paper documentation for the exchange of shipment information. Each international airfreight shipment can require more than 30 different paper documents – increasing the cost of airfreight and lengthening transport times.

Operations surrounding Logistics industry have evolved from only ‘Cargo’ movement to movement of ‘Information and Cargo’. It is a well-known fact that enormous amount of paperwork is generated in the logistics industry and humongous amount of administrative data entry work goes in moving a shipment from shipper to consignee.

This administrative work does not provide any value addition to an organization. Most logistics organizations would rather prefer to focus on value additions and get rid of administrative work.

An efficient and time saving solution for all the administrative work pertaining to logistics is the need of the hour. Extracting data from key documents such as Air Waybill and converting it into EDI messages followed by sending unified information to electronically enable core business activities.

The AWB is a critical air cargo document which serves as a contract of carriage between a Forwarder and the Carrier. e-Air Waybill (eAWB) was an initiative by the industry and IATA has been promoting it since 2008. e-Air Waybill (eAWB) removes the need of a paper Air Waybill exchange between ground handler/Airline and forwarder. eAWB is an initiative developed with regional stakeholder representatives to eliminate paper Air Waybill (AWB) and replace it with electronic data interchange (EDI) message formats. This significantly simplifies the air freight supply process.

The e-Freight initiative is being implemented in several countries across the globe. The initial focus is on attaining 100% e-Air Waybill (eAWB) worldwide. The first step towards eAWB is to enable online filing of AWB by the Freight Forwarder through EDI with airlines. Kale’s e-Air Waybill (eAWB) EDI platform is an access to this Digitalisation process.

With an in-depth industry knowledge, Kale Logistics Solutions has designed ‘PING’ services i.e., e-Air Waybill facilitation that provides an efficient and time saving solution for all the administrative work pertaining to logistics. Based on a combination of machine learning (ML) & optical character recognition (OCR), PING (e-Air Waybill) service extracts data from documents like Air Waybill and converts the same into EDI messages. These messages are auto-transmitted to airlines/ground handling agents. Also, freight forwarders and other stakeholders can send information electronically thus enables them to focus on their core business activities.

The key benefits of Kale’s eAWB EDI platform to the members are:

Improved operational efficiency – With the electronic air waybill generation, the entire process gets automated and easier for all stakeholders. Therefore, what would otherwise take hours will take hardly minutes and more number of documents can be churned out with complete accuracy.

Reduction in data entry and errors – As most of the manual processes are eliminated, there is hardly any room for redundancies and data entry errors. In short, accuracy is at its best throughout the whole process.

Electronic data receipt from shippers, wherever applicable and possible – Shippers can easily access electronic data receipts by accessing the e AWB portal. Precisely, it is all saved in a cloud system from where all this can be accessed.

Data entered once will be used for multiple purposes like sending to carriers, customs, customer – Whenever a customer or a vendor or even a regulatory authority is seeking information, the electronic air waybill portal can be accessed instantly, and the required information be given in a short span of time.

Reduced phone calls (for bookings, tracking), faxes, courier costs – As the entire process is automated, there is no room for continuous phone calls and back to back follow ups. Also, one need not send couriers, faxes etc to check the status on electronic air waybill generation. All details are available instantly.

Reduced compliance costs – Compliance cost comes down significantly as the electronic air waybill system leverages EDI incentives of carriers on ENS/AMS filing. In many places, stakeholders save upto 8 Euros or more in ENS/AMS filing.

Reduced Paper Handling Cost & Going Paperless – With the buzz around on sustainability, going paperless is of utmost importance for all stakeholders in the logistics industry. Fortunately, with electronic air waybill, achieving these targets get very much easier.

Shipment Visibility – This electronic air waybill module helps improve shipment visibility through proactive receipts of shipment statuses from carriers. Therefore, every single stakeholder is aware of the shipment movement from the beginning till the end.

Better Customer Service – Electronic air waybill module ensures improved customer service through proactive dissemination of shipment tracking to customers.

Business Benefits

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