New IT system enhances tracking info

FH Bertling has ushered in the new
decade in style with the worldwide
launch last month (January) of a new
in-house information technology system
that adds efficiencies for the company and
its customers.
“The system opens a file at the place of
origin and the same file is passed on to each
office throughout the routing of the cargo so
that our clients can obtain tracking in real
time and know exactly where their cargo is
at any moment,” Bertling’s Pete Sands told
FTW. “The software is specifically aimed
at projects, enabling us to handle line item
tracking and tracing for each project which
is hugely beneficial.”
According to Sands, cross border volumes
are on an upward trajectory. “It seems
that the economies of the neighbouring
countries are still in good order and the
main thrust relies on imports from South
Africa and transit cargo from the rest of the
world.”
The majority of business is general cargo,
says Sands, with project cargo to the DRC,
Zambia and Mozambique in high demand.
And while border posts have been
working reasonably well to ensure a swift
flow of traffic, with only some minor
delays at Musina/Beitbridge now and again,
pre-planning and error-free documentation
before dispatch is the key to avoiding
delays. “A good working relationship with
our border agents and their relationship
with the Customs department also facilitate
a smooth flow of work,” he added.
With increased traffic flows and several
new projects on the cards for 2011, the
company will expand its Johannesburg
facilities with the opening of a new state of
the art office in Pomona with a 10 000m2
warehouse.
Its African offices will also be seeking
ISO9001 accreditation in 2011.