By Karen E. Thuermer, AJOTMost airlines around the globe have implemented eCargo paperless systems such as those provided by CHAMP Cargosystems. Today, CHAMP is accelerating eCargo adoption within the cargo industry by expanding its focus and now targeting small and midsize freight forwarders. The reason, said CHAMP Cargosystems CEA John Johnston, is CHAMP can provide very cost effective solutions to this segment of forwarders, particularly those who are doing a lot of air freight, He emphasized how CHAMP provides global connectivity as well as cargo management systems that support core air cargo processes from operations to revenue management. CHAMP is focusing on small and midsize forwarders because it can present to them a solid a case for investing in their system. “It’s amazing, but a lot of small and medium size forwarders still have lean operations from the perspective of how they are deploying their IT systems,” Johnston said during a phone interview with this AJOT reporter from CHAMP headquarters in Luxembourg. “Getting more into electronic data interchange (EDI) is a cost barrier for them. But that’s something we can address.” For one, he points out, large forwarders are realizing the benefits of having their own systems that manage their contracts relationships with shippers, the airlines, handlers, truckers, etc. This has eliminated systems that were not good at talking with each other, and vast quantities of paper that could separate from the cargo somewhere during the supply chain. Prior to the CHAMP system that accelerated eCargo, there was also the problem of interpretation and re-keying errors. “If someone is writing or copying something into a computer system from a written document, they can make mistakes,” he said. “That can create inherent inefficiencies in the process.” Information that is captured electronically by the shipper and then sent on to the forwarder can also easily be made available to the airline, even if the airline does not have a contract with shipper. “This adds efficiencies to the forwarder who typically buys wholesale capacity with an airline and consolidates a number of shipments under one master airway bill,” Johnston stated. This is particularly important since today information must be accessed much earlier to ensure efficient processes throughout the supply chain. “Accelerating eCargo is critical to that,” he said. “It gives visibility and control over freight movement. The earlier you get all the detailed information about a shipment, the better you can provide proper planning and provisioning of capacity.” Cost Issue So how expensive are CHAMP IT solutions to implement? “Not expensive at all,” exclaimed Johnston. “That’s what’s funny about it. All airlines have their core cargo systems where they can do their booking, capacity management, scheduling, manifesting, etc. All of the ground handlers have core cargo systems that do their warehouse handing and import and export processes.” Johnston contends that not implementing an electronic system would not only make small and midsize forwarder operations more competitive; it would give them more access. “For example, we have exclusive messaging deals with the Lufthansa Cargo group, the Air France - KLM cargo group, and Cargo Lux,” he said. “That is a massive amount of capacity where all have electronic connectivity.” Further, over 70 airlines and more than 300 handling facilities already operate CHAMP’s core systems in 180+ countries. “Because we provide so many handlers with solutions as well, the key data they need is already available much earlier than they would receive in a traditional model,” he explained. Johnston contends that companies like CHAMPS particularly offer huge opportunities to forwarders, particularly during today’s economy. “The status quo is not good enough anymore,” he said. “Companies have to think out of the box, and do things smarter and quicker.” Product Expansion In the past 18 mo