Nowadays, forwarding is no longer a local or regional issue. On the contrary, for many reasons manufacturing processes have been spread around the world. This is why the importance of the logistics supply chain has increased so dramatically. Taking overall responsibility for the integration of process steps, is a decisive key to commercial success for any Logistics Services Provider. The Cargosyst Visibility System will provide real time tracking and tracing of Cargoboxes during their journey. It requires a rather inexpensive dedicated infrastructure within warehouses, cargo centers and moving lorries, in combination with RFID middleware (E-messages switching platform), GPS, GPRS and a Database. Based on the the combination of three individual numbers, the System provides E-documents instead of substantial paperwork, storage of data, safe and secure travelling of goods and actual visibility of many thousands of shipments on their way along the supply chain.

Fragile, valuable, perishable or normal goods will travel securely protected against handling damages and pilferage.

All data captured, exceptions reporting

An important feature of the overall system is that it will be based on the "all data captured, exceptions reporting" principle. All parties in the supply chain, from shippers to consignees, from carriers to road forwarders, from third party logistics services providers (3PLs) to Customs and Security Organizations, will be invited to enroll and beyond any doubt, will benefit from being a link in the chain. However, the shipper and/or consignee have full control of authorizing users to view certain information in the Cargosyst IT Software.

CargoSyst provides authorized users total visibility of shipments during the entire journey. The software generates messages and sends these to the mailbox of the party involved. Deviation of the Cargobox' scheduled route or changes of other nature, will be noticed in the form of alert or alarm messages. Appropriate follow-up of these messages can be included in the service level of choice, selected by the shipper. It is beyond any doubt, that this will substantially improve both safety and efficiency in the entire air cargo industry.

Customs

The Cargosyst IT System enables the implementation of the Customs-Declaration-Freeway. The moment a Cargobox is closed and locked the System will transfer all data required for Customs declaration, via the Middleware to the Database, from where it can be accessed by the responsible Customs Department. This creates the possibility of a "Customs fast lane" upon arrival. In addition, the activities of several succeeding parties in the cargo handling chain, can be tuned to each other in a better, more sophisticated way. Data comparison and screening provides the track down of shipment anomalies and enables pro-active intervention. Automated selection and security inspection of suspected Cargoboxes, prior to boarding an aircraft, becomes a standard procedure.

Today, only a small percentage of all air cargo is actually screened before it is put onto an aircraft. A substantial part of all air cargo is carried in the belly of passenger airliners. Therefore air cargo poses a potential threat to the safety of the passengers and crew. The introduction of the so-called "Known Shipper Program" was the first of a number of measures to improve security. The Cargobox System offers a total solution for the avodiance of unacceptable risks. From the moment of shipping, it is impossible to open the Cargobox without the system sending an alarm signal to the database. If the Cargobox has been tampered with on its way from the shipper's premises to the airport of departure, handling at the carrier's cargo center will be stopped. Also the Lockbar with its PIN-code lock makes it virtually impossible to put anything unauthorized into, or remove anything from, a loaded Cargobox. The latest development in scanning technonology enables fast, effective and reliable control of the content of each Cargobox arriving at the airport. This can be accomplished without opening the Cargobox. Similar to the "24 hours in advance" rule for sea containers, the Cargobox and CargoSyst IT Security System enable the electronic control over actual flow of cargo including automated pro-active screening before it is boarded onto an aircraft at the airport of departure. In addition, with the installation of high-tech scanners and a conveyor belt handling system at Airport Logistic Centers, screening of the content of each Cargobox before it is boarded becomes a feasible option. This fully complies with TSA's "Known Shipper Program".

Pro-active intervention

Currently, a transcontinental air cargo shipment takes an average of 5 – 6 days from shipper to consignee. Major elements of the logistic handling process are: documents preparation, Customs declaration, air cargo pallet assembly/disassembly, and the coordination and integration of these process steps. Often, a sudden diversion of one or more steps of the forwarding process is needed. The Cargobox, with its direct communication potential using Cargosyst, allows for real time pro-active intervention, and will fully accommodate this.

Continuous tracking provides the streamlining of the shipments flow by interactive software. This contributes to reducing the time shipments stay idle in a Cargo Handling Center. It also enables better, more efficient interconnection between all parties involved with the complex logistic handling procedures. It is anticipated that overall average transportation time will decrease as soon as the Cargobox has become common property. In turn, this also will contribute to substantial reduction of interest losses. The CargoSyst IT System enables tracking of documentation and goods simultaneously, in real-time. The "intelligent" Lockbar provides the interconnectivity between the flow of goods and the accompanying paperwork.

The Lockbar