SPECIAL EDITION

Dear Members,

In today's business environment, exchanging digital information with your supply chain partners such as customers, carriers, overseas forwarders is fast becoming indispensable. To meet these varied expectations and demands, the forwarder has to invest in multiple technology tools which can be costly, cumbersome, complicated and inefficient.

In order to address this issue, FIATA, in partnership with a leading logistics technology solutions provider, has embarked on a project to enable its membership with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities. This project called FIT (FIATA Information Technology); aims to provide single window EDI connectivity to the FIATA member to exchange shipment information with its supply chain partners. The EDI platform is envisaged to be multi-modal and the first phase of the platform is aimed at providing EDI connectivity for  air cargo supply chain partner's viz. airlines.

The key benefits of the proposed platform to the members are:

• Reduction in duplicate data entry & costs
• Compliance with e-AWB (supported by FIATA)
• Reduction in paper
• Eliminating the need to use multiple tools for EDI
• Better shipment visibility
• A tool to enhance customer service
• Improved efficiency and accuracy

In order to ensure that the platform evolves in tune with the business requirements of the members, the FIATA Presidency has decided to conduct a pilot project for the first phase of the platform.
Through this circular, FIATA invites nominations for the pilot project. Participation in the pilot project is absolutely free of cost. Your involvement in the pilot project will be to use the platform and provide inputs / feedback on the features of the platform.

The advantages of participating in this pilot project are:

• You can ensure that you have a better understanding of the platform and that your business requirements related to EDI becomes part of this platform.
• You have greater awareness of the industry requirements related to e-AWB
• You get one month free subscription to the platform once the platform is launched for commercial use

The roll-out technology offers three different options for accessing the platform in a user friendly manner capable of accommodating different users' requirements.

The estimated time frame for the pilot project is 3 months.
 
If you are interested in participating in the pilot project please send an email to bloch@fiata.com
Looking forward to your participation and active contribution to this path-breaking initiative.

Best Regards,

Daniel Bloch

Manager Airfreight Institute (AFI)