MAEIL partners CHAMP Cargosystems’ Logitude in Portugal

CHAMP Cargosystems and MAEIL officially launched Logitude, a CHAMP community solution, and the CHAMP portal eCargoUpdate under the motto “Better informed – better connected” at joint events in Lisbon and Porto recently.

Luxembourg, April, 2015 – The Portuguese software house MAEIL and the international IT systems provider CHAMP Cargosystems are cooperating in Portugal to provide seamless electronic data interchange between local forwarders and airlines. This is a pre-requisite for forwarders to participate in the IATA’s global eFreight initiative. As Portugal’s national carrier, TAP Cargo, has recently stepped up its eFreight capabilities and also aims for a paperless information exchange with customers and partners, the interest in suitable IT solutions has increased dramatically in Portugal’s forwarding community.

In a first step, forwarders should be able to provide MAWB and HAWB information in electronic format to airlines. Logitude facilitates the capture and transmission of eAWB (FWB) and eHAWB (FHL), the exchange of status update messages (FSU) as well as track & trace information (FSR/FSA). However, the solution offers far more. It supports data validation, data sharing with other logistics partners and the storage of messages, printing on demand of labels for AWB and HAWB, interfacing with accounting systems and other business tools.

Persuasive benefits
Logitude creates a level playing field between small and medium sized forwarders (SME) and big market players. It helps forwarders to save on carrier charges for paper AWB and customs fees. It improves data accuracy and reduces cargo handling delays. It enables forwarders to provide a better customer service through up-to-date status information and data sharing with other supply chain partners.

Logitude is a cloud based community solution for forwarders that enables them to send electronic AWB to multiple number of carriers. The forwarder does not need to invest in hardware. The system is easy to handle and up and running in minutes. Logitude is marketed by MAEIL as exclusive distributor for Portugal. It is offered as an extension of the company’s own portfolio of IT solutions for industry and trade.

“We were very impressed by the positive market reaction. More than 50 people attended the road show in Lisbon and over 30 in Porto. We are in negotiations with several companies now and expect considerable business generation. Logitude will help us to penetrate a new industry sector”, explains Hugo Duarte Fonseca, Managing Director, MAEIL.

“Our companies have the same goals – to provide a top class service,” adds Bart Jan Haasbeek, Business Development Manager eCargo, CHAMP Cargosystems. “I am convinced that together we can more effectively bring to market our innovative solutions in Portugal. Logitude will accelerate the productivity and performance of the strong local airfreight community.”

Better informed – better connected
CHAMP also used the road show to launch a Portuguese version of its successful air cargo portal, eCargoUpdate. This innovative portal connects airlines and GSAs with their core customers. It is not only a cost effective news publication platform but also a booking platform. Furthermore it is currently being tested as a claims handling platform. And further interesting additional applications are in the pipeline.

James Fernandez, VP of Cargo Services at CHAMP Cargosystems, comments: “As a leading provider of IT solutions to the air logistics community we are delighted to expand out footprint in Portugal in cooperation with MAEIL. I would like to thank all our customers and partners in Portugal for their continuing support. CHAMP Cargosystems continuously innovates and invests in product extensions and new world-class solutions for the wider benefit of the air cargo community. Our wide experience in delivering hundreds of projects all around the globe provides Portuguese companies with access to an extraordinary wealth of knowledge.”