Category Archives: Technology

GoComet, a leading supply chain visibility platform, successfully concluded its industry conference, GoComet Odyssey Edition 2, in Bangalore. The event featured insightful discussions and strategies from key industry leaders such as Unilever, Tolaram, Himalaya, Tata Electronics, Britannia, and MSN, aimed at thriving amid ongoing disruptions. The event commenced with an address by Mr. Gautam Prem Jain, Chief Executive Officer of GoComet. Jain engaged the audience by tracing significant supply chain disruptions over the past five years, including recent events like the Red Sea Attacks, Suez Canal blockades, and the Baltimore infrastructure collapse. He posed a thought-provoking question, “Will disruptions ever cease in the international supply chain?” Jain further added, “What we once considered anomalies in the past have now become ‘business as usual,’ underscoring the need for resilient strategies in today’s dynamic environment.” Mr. Saravana Mariappan, Supply Chain Head at Tolaram, a renowned business conglomerate with strategic partnerships with Kellogg’s, Colgate, and Kimberly Clark, took the stage to share his fundamental strategy for disruption-proofing supply chains. Mariappan emphasized the importance of building better visibility through technology, He highlighted how digitisation upgrades led to proactive exception handling in their S&OP systems, resulting in a significant improvement of 10-15% in forecasting accuracy. He concluded that, “supply chain visibility is about making sure that the right data reaches the right people at the right time” to achieve resilience.” CA Sanket Chhajed, Head of Taxation & Audit at Himalaya Wellness, elaborated on the importance of digitization in building resilience and achieving profitability. He emphasized that businesses must approach digitization strategically, focusing on five key pillars: Problem Identification: Start with identifying business problems rather than solutions. Digitisation of Processes: Address the root cause effectively through …

PayCargo, the leading logistics payment platform, and connected cargo solutions specialist Nallian proudly announce their strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating and streamlining air cargo management. By integrating Nallian’s cutting-edge slot management solution with PayCargo’s efficient payment platform, customers will benefit from a powerful system to optimize every aspect of the freight pick-up journey. This will eliminate truck wait times, shorten dock turnaround, improve staff planning, and reduce administration. How it works Freight forwarders and trucking companies schedule a time slot at the cargo handler using Nallian’s Truck Visit Management System to pick up or drop off freight. The PayCargo platform will streamline all payments and transactions related to import cargo. Upon arrival, drivers no longer have to wait but can immediately proceed to the dock door assigned to them. This integrated approach enhances operational efficiency, enables faster cargo release, and reduces paperwork and administration. Eduardo Del Riego, CEO of PayCargo, comments: “We are thrilled to partner with Nallian to offer an integrated solution that addresses the evolving needs of the air cargo industry. By combining our expertise, we enable our customers to streamline truck visits, accelerate payments, and achieve greater success.”

Hans Infomatic has announced its partnership with Continental Carriers Group, serving as the technology solution provider for India’s first RA-3 accredited greenfield Air Freight Station (AFS) recently launched in New Delhi. “This milestone marks a proud moment for Hans as we continue our legacy of over 30 years in delivering cutting-edge technology solutions for the logistics and supply chain industry”, says Parvinder Singh, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic. At the heart of this partnership lies “WiseCargo,” our flagship software solution designed to streamline air cargo operations with its innovative features and intelligent technologies. With WiseCargo, Continental Carriers’ AFS will experience enhanced efficiency, profitability, and operational excellence. Overall, WiseCargo aims to revolutionize air cargo management with its comprehensive suite of features, transparent pricing, on-time delivery, real-time tracking, and 24/7 online support. We would also like to mention here that at many airports across India, WiseCargo is widely accepted as their preferred partner for their Cargo Custodian’s IT solutions. Hans has been one of the flag bearers when it comes to automation in the supply chain domain. With a vast and varied portfolio of products, Hans has truly revolutionised supply chain automation across all verticals. “As Hans Infomatic continues to deliver cloud-based logistics and supply chain management solutions, we are committed to driving efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction across the air freight industry”, concludes Parvinder Singh.

Kale Info Solutions (Kale) has joined the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), marking a significant step forward for Kale in solidifying its position within the American maritime arena. With its extensive expertise in community platforms and enterprise solutions for ports, Kale will continue to empower the maritime community to optimise operations, through streamlining workflows, addressing congestion, dwell time, and documentation challenges, and providing technology that promotes paperless trade facilitation. “Becoming a member of the American Association of Port Authorities underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to the unique needs of the port industry. By joining forces with AAPA, we aim to contribute to the advancement of port excellence and drive digital, sustainable growth across the Americas,” said Amar More, President, Kale. “Kale aims to leverage its expertise to support AAPA’s mission of promoting port development, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity.” The AAPA is a leading organisation representing the collective interests of ports throughout the Americas. With a rich history of advocacy and collaboration, AAPA serves as a vital platform for industry stakeholders to drive innovation, share best practice, and shape policies that enhance port efficiency and competitiveness on a global scale. “Most major U.S. ports currently trail global counterparts in digital optimisation – however, ongoing supply chain disruptions from COVID-19, trade tensions, and geopolitical challenges are compelling U.S. ports to enhance efficiency,” said More. “Embracing digital technology is imperative to navigating these complex dynamics and ensuring smoother operations in the future.” Kale offers the world’s pioneering SaaS-based Port Community System (PCS), fully compliant with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Maritime Single Window. This system facilitates the electronic exchange of information and documentation among maritime and port stakeholders …

CHAMP Cargosystems has added a new service that will enable companies transporting e-commerce shipments to comply with the European Union’s latest ICS2 rules. The Traxon Global eCommerce (TGE) service will address the requirements of cargo pre-load security filings and pre-arrival filings for e-commerce shipments under ICS2. CHAMP said the latest phase of increased ICS2 requirements demands reporting at the House Air Waybill (HAWB) level, with the “added complexity that each commodity must be reported separately”. “This poses potential risks for the e-commerce industry if air carriers, freight forwarders, express courier service providers or postal operators do not ensure they have the processes or technology in place to respond to these new requirements,” they added. The service consolidates information from the sender and generates outputs in formats specified by relevant governmental agencies, CHAMP said. CHAMP chief executive Chris McDermott explained, “CHAMP’s portfolio is built on its open neo platform, enabling quick development, launch and integration with other CHAMP or third-party services. TGE is a fantastic tool, that will help air cargo businesses to expand into new markets, capitalize on the opportunity of e-commerce, and avoid costly delays by ensuring regulatory compliance quickly and cost-effectively.” The company said that the system would be updated as more pre-load and advance filing initiatives are adopted and it can link with other Traxon products and services.

Authored by Harshit Shrivasttava, CEO & Co-founder of Intugine The Indian logistics industry is experiencing a digital transformation that has the potential to reshape our understanding of supply chain management. With ongoing challenges to the industry’s adaptability and resilience, a push towards heightened efficiency and reduced costs has become increasingly urgent. As the backbone of the nation’s economic landscape, the logistics sector is poised for growth, contributing 14.4% to India’s GDP and employing over 20 million people. This article explores the potential evolution of digitalization in the Indian logistics ecosystem outlook and its impact on the industry’s future. The year 2023 heralds the arrival of the National Logistics Policy, a model of India’s relentless resolve to optimize operational facets and wholeheartedly embrace the wave of technology-driven solutions. This strategic blueprint is poised to strengthen the nation’s economic terrain, catalyzing amplified connectivity and facilitating frictionless trade in domestic and international markets. It is a testament to India’s commitment to not merely adapt to the evolving outlook but to lead the charge in supply chain transformation. Once considered a fleeting trend, digitalization has become an indispensable cornerstone of the Indian logistics sector. The industry is grappling with a plethora of complexities, ranging from the vast and diverse geography of the nation to complex regulatory demands and varying infrastructure standards. These challenges underscore the imperative for a profound digital revolution. Leveraging robust technologies such as automation, integration with the Internet of Things (IoT), and harnessing the power of data analytics, logistics companies stand to elevate their operational capabilities significantly. The merits of this transformation are manifold. Automation is central to eliminating manual errors, guaranteeing seamless operations in a geography where customer expectations have …

UPS and Guidance, the Government of Tamil Nadu’s nodal agency for investment promotion and single window facilitation signed an investment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to open more tech centers in India. The technology centres in India will continue to collaborate closely with UPS’s global tech teams for in-house technology development – solutions that make the company a world-class logistics provider with the best digital customer experience. This latest expansion builds on an initial investment announced in 2023, when UPS unveiled a strategic investment plan of $15-$20 million in its technology centres in India. In August 2023, the company opened its first technology centre in Chennai. The technology centres also show UPS’s commitment to the advancement of women and people from rural areas, including providing them opportunities for fulfilling careers in technology. o As part of its upskilling initiatives, students from the rural areas of Tamil Nadu have already joined the UPS technology centre as interns under the state government’s Naan Mudhalvan scheme. o The Women in Engineering Program, one of the Business Resource Groups at the technology centres, supports the representation of women in engineering through training, mentoring and development programs. o The technology centres also offer UPS ‘Returnship Program’ or ‘Paalam’ (meaning a bridge) – a unique opportunity for experienced technology professionals to re-join workforce after a career break. “Chennai can power innovation for the world as a world-class technology and innovation hub. It’s fueled by India’s ability to scale up talent pools and support innovation for global businesses and economic acceleration. We’re thankful to the Tamil Nadu government and the Guidance team for their support in developing a high-tech future powered by digitization, data analytics and automation. The …

Kartik Sharma, AI Expert shares, “In 2024, the air cargo industry is poised for a transformative leap with AI at its helm. AI-driven innovations streamline logistics, optimizing routes, and enhancing operational efficiency. Predictive analytics minimize delays, maximizing on-time deliveries. Smart warehouses leverage AI for automated sorting and handling, reducing errors. This synergy of AI and air cargo signifies a promising era of faster, cost-effective, and eco-friendly transport. Embracing this evolution, I am optimistic about AI’s role in propelling the industry forward, revolutionizing global trade and connectivity while fostering a sustainable future for air cargo in 2024 and beyond.”

Harshit Shrivastava, CEO and Co-Founder, Intugine shares, “India has emerged as an important global manufacturing player, and the backbone of this evolution will be the supply chains. We are committed to continuing our partnership with the government and enhancing our network of integrations. By 2024 end, we plan to increase our long-haul coverage from the current 24 percent to 60 percent and also increase our PTL coverage from 60 to 90 percent. We aspire to expand into the Middle East, forge partnerships, and widen our reach to new global markets. We are also excited to announce the launch of our new product in 2024, Ecotrace – a carbon emission management tool for enterprises to measure their emissions from logistics, contributing to 14% of global emissions. We will also launch the Ecotrace Transporter Index and the Carbon Visibility tool’s first version, which will be available for free to SME transporters by Feb 2024. Intugine is dedicated to a transformative journey of constant innovation and expanding its reach while contributing to a greener future.”

SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer based in Japan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (“TiHAN”) to collaborate on unmanned drone technology to expand the drone market in India. With the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” SkyDrive is developing accessible eVTOL aircraft for daily passenger transportation and heavy-lift drones for cargo transportation. Indian Institutes of Technology Hyderabad (“IITH”) has been consistently ranked in the top 10 institutes in India for Engineering according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (*2) issued by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and top-notch engineers conduct research on cutting-edge technologies. SkyDrive will be collaborating with TiHAN, India’s first autonomous navigation testbed facility at IITH for developing and carrying out activities related to heavy-lift drones. Explaining TiHAN-IITH efforts in Autonomous Navigation, Professor P. Rajalakshmi, Project Director, said, “TiHAN IIT Hyderabad is excited to announce a strategic partnership with SkyDrive Inc. to collectively develop and execute activities about heavy lifting drone technology. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the advancement of drone capabilities, focusing on the design, development, and deployment of innovative heavy-lifting drone solutions.” India faces various challenges in its land-based logistics system and the development of drones as a new means of logistics holds significant meaning. With a shared goal of creating a market for logistics drones in India, the two parties will be sharing expertise and exploring the market opportunities. This collaboration was possible with the support of Suzuki Innovation Centre (SIC), a collaborative initiative between Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan (SMC) and IIT Hyderabad with a mission to build …