AIRSHOP: IT’S PEOPLE THAT MAKE A BUSINESS SUCCEED

considers that his staff do genuinely try very hard and all the time to be the partner of choice for cargo operators who value the implicit brand promise: “Customers First, People Always!” he says.

The latest advancements

Technologies like Bluetooth trackers, tamper-evident seals and barcodes are utilised to track and authenticate air cargo shipments. These technologies enable real-time monitoring of cargo movements, ensuring that shipments are not tampered with or compromised during transportation. Advanced authentication methods, including biometrics and secure digital signatures, are also being utilised to enhance cargo security and systems.

IoT plays a significant role in enabling air cargo management and tracking of air cargo shipments. As an example, IoT trackers with sensors are integrated into ACL Airshop’s ULDs, allowing seamless data collection and transmission. This data, like the airwaybill number and temperature, is then processed and made available in its ULD Digital Suite, providing real-time insights and updates to customers, ULD operations centre and partner network.

ACL Airshop provides a complete digital suite to manage a customer’s airline ULD fleet. With these tools clients can efficiently control their fleet anywhere, anytime, without having to wait for any third-party information and even connected to the AirWay Bill (AWB), Bluetooth or any other tracking devices. Its management solution provides information on current and historical locations, serviceability, dwelling times, repairs, certification and has several KPI reports to ensure 100% performance.

ACL Airshop’s lease offerings vary from a one day lease up to multi year leases with any type of ULD. When leasing clients can be supplied with a custom solution and include additional services like maintenance, repair and storage but also support with hardware (nets and straps). The lease requests are handled in minutes to ensure continuity of customer operations.

When clipboards and pencils are history

ACL Airshop currently offers web-based and mobile software solutions to manage a client’s ULD fleet, in combination with the latest accepted and certified Bluetooth and GPS technology. In Technology Roadmap, it has invested millions of dollars to keep advancing, and that will be a neverending ascent. To be a market leader, we must also be a technology leader. Digitalisation is sweeping quickly over the entire global air cargo industry.

“We are glad to have been one of the first movers,” says Townes.

He believes the days of “clipboards and pencils are ending”. Current “ancient” technology like UCM and SCM are still used. However in the past couple of years, automated standard messaging by using alternative digital formats are becoming the new standard. ACL Airshop has invested heavily in digitalising the tracking of equipment by using Bluetooth and GPS technology. This will become the single source of truth in the future. With the current time-driven demand, customers want to have goods quickly and know where they are during transport. All in the industry must take a relentless approach toward better speed, efficiency, and data analytics.

When we translate data into information, we are able to optimise utilisation, reduce shortages of equipment, decreases in cost, and ensured continuous operation. “No ULD” still translates to “No Cargo” at the destination. ULD’s are like a cotter pin in the worldwide moving wheels of air cargo: a mission-critical but somewhat cost-incidental asset to secure and move cargo safely. Think about the value of one full cargo flight sitting on the ground if it lacks sufficient ULDs to secure that load. Therein lies the mission focus of ACL Airshop, points out Townes.

The future for ACL Airshop

Townes notes that five years ago, ACL Airshop announced it would double ACL Airshop around the world, plus technology investments and logistics improvements. Since then, key metrics have trebled: ULD fleet size, number of global air hubs, the size of growth investments and the power of technology investments.

ACL Airshop will remain on that trajectory. It is constantly evolving and investing in technology offerings. Frequently, new developments to its Digital Suite based on customer needs and requests will be added.

Townes is pleased: “We are consistently told that our custom Digital Suite is the best in our sector and we will continue to lead this evolution from the front. We are exploring additional technology partnership ventures that will help us leapfrog ahead to even better customer efficiencies.

“The ULD used to be ‘the analogue watch’ of the industry: ACL Airshop is advancing and creating the ‘ULD smartwatch’ connecting the cargo and the supply chain. ACL Airshop will be at the forefront of this development and the ‘Uberisation’ of our industry. Namely, full control over your shipment by providing end-to-end visibility of the cargo journey; with all of our technologies and speedy efficiencies in the palm of your hand,” he concludes.