Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, this week celebrated a significant moment in its relatively short 14-year history, fully migrating to “SPRINT”, an IBS iCargo fully integrated technology platform offering the digital answer to its evolving cargo management needs.
Etihad Cargo joins a
growing number of global carriers migrating their traditionally telephone and
paper-based services online, through its new-look and revamped etihadcargo.com website,
as well as digitalizing processes across all critical business functions, offering
Etihad Cargo’s customers a platform to seamlessly manage all air cargo needs.
Abdulla Mohamed Shadid,
Etihad Airways Managing Director Cargo and Logistics Services, said: "We
are extremely pleased that the 12-month implementation process has been concluded
successfully, and even more excited at the prospects that this milestone brings.
It represents a giant leap forward for our customer value proposition and allows
us to embrace a whole new realm of digital services to further differentiate
ourselves. Customers will feel the impact instantly, and it comes at a well-timed
period when we have started deploying capacity in key markets for the fourth
quarter."
SPRINT, based on IBS’s
iCargo technology platform, combines booking and reservations, integration management
including interface control, service delivery management (including messaging
and eAWB support), loyalty management, AWB stock control and revenue accounting,
all into a single integrated platform. It enables Etihad Cargo to enhance its capacity-
and pricing management processes whilst offering real-time shipment monitoring
and quality control, helping drive maximum efficiency.
V
K Mathews, Executive Chairman, IBS Group, said: “Etihad Cargo has commissioned
the most up-to-date technology solution in the domain, iCargo, and the seamless
system cutover within time and budget reiterates IBS’ capability and domain
expertise to deliver outstanding value to the business requirements of some of
the iconic names in the airline industry.
“iCargo
has indeed captured the imagination of the cargo carriers and is now the
undisputed market leader and the right IT platform to provide airlines with a
competitive edge to lead in a digital world. It is my pleasure to welcome
Etihad Cargo to the growing list of iCargo users and we are committed to be a
transformational partner in their quest to achieve increased operational
efficiencies, cost optimization and growth.”
Services that are now
available at the customer’s fingertips span online bookings across all Etihad’s
product portfolio, including general cargo as well as its signature TempCheck (pharmaceutical),
SafeGuard (valuables), FreshForward (perishables), FlightValet (automotive) and
FlyCulture (arts and music), among others. Customers will also be able to
access Etihad Cargo’s Loyalty Program, which offers them a wide range of
benefits now accessible online, and they will also be able search flights and
track shipments in real-time.
“Our employees worked tirelessly during the past
year to bring us to this significant milestone and should be proud of their
achievement,” added Shadid. “Seldom do complex programs like this finish on
time and within budget. We are certainly proud of them. However, this only
marks the beginning of our digitalization journey. Etihad Cargo is hungry for
more, and we will be working with our technology partners to deploy new
technologies that will continue to differentiate us and help push our customer
value proposition to the next level”.