At the opening session of the WCA Family of Logistic Networks 13th Annual WCA Worldwide Conference, David Yokeum, president of the group, unveiled WIN (Worldwide Information Network) platform. It is a common platform that will enable independent forwarders to communicate without the need to invest in compatible systems. As Yokeum said, “We have a solution.”By George Lauriat, AJOTDavid Yokeum, president and founder of the WCA Family of Logistic Networks, came to the podium in Ho Chi Minh City’s SECC (Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center) opening session and began by saying “This is the most important presentation I’ve ever made to you, even more important than the first one thirteen years ago in Miami.” What Yokeum proceeded to unveil is no less than game changing for the business of freight forwarding. WIN (Worldwide Information Network) is a common platform through which a forwarder can execute virtually all-transactional functions. However, the real key to the importance of WIN is that the platform can communicate with virtually any existing system, obviating the need for a forwarder to invest in a compatible system. WIN, which was developed by Kale Logistics Solution Pvt. Ltd, in collaboration with the WCAF, levels the playing field between large multinational transportation providers and the independent forwarders. In recent years, a movement towards developing a common platform has gathered strength driven by a need to increase efficiencies and security. It’s not the matter of whether the industry will go paperless, but when and how. IATA has said their IATA e-freight program should require 100% compliance by 2015 for air movements. The global security issue also is pushing paperless transactions forward. Many industry pundits believe that governments will mandate (see screening story, page 10) their own security-driven requirements very soon. For the mega-integrators like FedEx, UPS and DHL or the mega-forwarders, compliance is part of their existing system. However, for a small or mid-sized forwarder adapting to this e-freight could require considerable investment. Further, if the independent forwarder can’t conform to the new standards, will there be surcharges or worse? Beyond the concerns of security and efficiency is one of business survival. At stake is market share. It’s very simple, the group that controls the e-portals, controls business and with that market share. It’s not that the independent forwarders haven’t made considerable investment in IT. Many millions have already been spent, but the problem is that many IT platforms simply will not communicate with each other. The advantage of WIN over a number of the other IT solutions is that it works throughout the supply chain, whether it is air, ocean, rail or road. Additionally, because the platform allows access from a forwarder’s existing IT system, any future changes will not disrupt the flow of information. Adding on more offices doesn’t demand an entire overhaul of the company’s IT. Because the portal will be open to the WCAF membership, there is a real scale to the product coming out of the gate. The portal will enable the participants beyond the transactional (real time track and trace etc.) work to negotiate and close deals. Another aspect of the WIN portal is that it gives the small or mid-sized forwarder within the network the IT scale to bid on whatever opportunities may come across the transom. The visibility and connectivity also will give the forwarder much greater control over the supply chain than ever before. This visibility is at the moment a business luxury but as part of the global security initiatives, it may soon be a mandate. Finally, with the WCAF acting as a neutral third party the information transacted is secure. As Yokeum said, “this is only the beginning” as the WIN platform has nearly endless potential. The integration of WIN into iPhone and Android smart phones applications opens a new window on real time data on shipments. Literally any