Switch to new provider extends range of IT solutions

Clive Emdon
THE DECISION to change his software provider after five years was an important moment for Excellence Forwarding director Eric Houniet as it gave the company a much bigger range of IT solutions from which to choose. “That moment came when the SAD 500 customs rule was introduced on October 1 and with our new software we are now able to supply our clients with more online services. “We found a new service provider that gave us a wider range of applications including indent tracking; being able to show costings per line; data processing; tracking and tracing freight items; and a guarantee of security in the system. “We now have an important cost savings tool,” says Houniet. “It saves huge expense and time. Of course we are still waiting for the paperless entry.” Houniet believes the biggest benefit to clients of the company’s new IT system is the tracking and tracing of freight. Both the company and client have workstations. We provide our reference and they work off an indent number and either of us can track items at any time. Until now it has been frustrating to track freight with a whole range of phone calls. Now it will be done at the touch of a button.” The company is about to do its first tracking and tracing test run, after which it will extend the service to its clients. “We will absorb the costs. It’s part of the service.”