E-COMMERCE has put the livelihood of the traditional freight for warder at risk now more than ever before as freight auctions, 4th Party Logistics Service Providers, Freight Exchanges and Portals change the way business is done.
The need for integration with some or all of these is becoming a necessity, says Willi Schalk, manager: e-commerce strategy and solutions at Ršhlig-Grindrod. Furthermore, the need for integration with clients' systems is a reality if we are to remain competitive.
Schalk regards e-commerce as the glue which links the various transport logistical processes together and enables the forwarder to meet customers' needs for reduced transit times, transparent charges and reduced stock-holding.
Both Ršhlig and Grindrod were leaders in EDI prior to the merger of the two companies, and this has given us an advantage in the joint development of electronic commerce operations, says Schalk.
We are founder members of the local Cargo Community System (ZA-CCS), members of the Customs E-Commerce Steering Committee and Work Group, participants in the FIATA working group for Customs and Facilitation, and are involved in various other national transport e-commerce related intiatives, he says.
The Ršhlig ROFS track and trace systems, together with the electronic export process collaboration system with shippers, has placed us in a strong position, and a number of options are now being evaluated to ensure that our local and international requirements are met.
The 'bricks and mortar' business requirement will continue as no parcel will ever travel through a telephone line, but the management of all traditional processes and interaction with clients and trading partners through e-commerce has redefined our role to transporters and providers of information.
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