Mumbai, India, 24 Jan 2008: IBS Software Services, a leading global provider of newgeneration IT solutions to the Travel, Transportation and Logistics industry has signed an agreement with Air New Zealand Cargo to provide iCargo, an integrated end-to-end supply chain management engine, to manage their cargo business. IBS’ new-generation Cargo Management System (CMS) – iCargo – will help Air New Zealand integrate their cargo business, both domestic and international and will address the current and future business requirements of Air New Zealand’s entire air freight operation which has seen a growth of 20% in revenue in the last fiscal. Air New Zealand is among the top 50 of the world’s air freight carriers based on Freight TonneKilometres and is the third major carrier, after Nippon Cargo Airlines and All Nippon Airways, to sign up for iCargo.
Built on the latest technology, iCargo is an integrated solution that supports all the requirements of an airline’s cargo/freight business. It is robust, flexible and scalable to support the growing and changing business needs of an airline while reducing cost of ownership and operation of the system. The system also provides enhanced web-enabled features that offer better product distribution. Air New Zealand has collaborated with IBS and five other cargo carriers, to help build the iCargo product and is aware of the rich functionality the product offers and the many ways it can help the carrier enhance its cargo business.
Rick Nelson, General Manager Air New Zealand Cargo, said Air New Zealand’s decision to implement iCargo signals an exciting time for Air NZ Cargo. “Put simply, it’s about repositioning the Air NZ cargo business to deliver customer value, a continuation of Cargo’s strong contribution to the Air NZ group, and importantly, job security and satisfaction for our people in Cargo. IBS and iCargo are an important step in that strategy moving forward.”
V K Mathews, Chairman & CEO, IBS Group said “We are happy that Air New Zealand has opted to switch to iCargo to manage its global freight business. Having partnered with us in building the system, this deal would be a logical conclusion and an endorsement of our joint vision to create the most definitive Cargo Management System for the air transportation industry, using new-generation technology, with the inherent advantages that such technology offers. iCargo is positioned as the next-generation Cargo Management System that will not only help airlines maintain a competitive edge in an extremely dynamic and rapidly evolving market but is a viable migration option from the current legacy-based airline cargo solutions.”
About iCargo
iCargo is one product in the IBS Cargo suite of products. It is an integrated, system which comprehensively addresses cargo reservations, capacity control, rating, load planning, cargo terminal operations, Ground Handling, Revenue Accounting and Yield Management requirements of cargo carrying airlines. iCargo has evolved as a new-generation full-fledged cargo and logistics management system, supporting the entire logistics supply chain from shipper to consignee, via the world-wide-web.
The value proposition of iCargo is that it helps airlines and ground handlers enhance cargo business profitability, accommodate changing customer service demands and respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions and business situations, leveraging new-generation technologies, while reducing their total cost of spend on IT support and infrastructure, iCargo is envisioned to be the leading cargo and logistics management system for the air transportation industry, and the product design supports innovative business models and enables operators to respond efficiently to changing customer needs. The product is an inevitable and viable migration option for airlines, from the current legacy systems.
About Air New Zealand Cargo
Air New Zealand operates over 380 international flights per week, serving 32 cities in 18 countries around the globe.
Air New Zealand has a modern fleet of 737-300s, A320s, 767-300s, 777-200s and 747-400s offering internationally a combination of narrow and wide body capacity. In New Zealand the domestic fleet moves smaller consignments to 18 destinations. The Cargo carrier carries almost anything from high technology and time-sensitive goods to fresh produce and general cargo. This also includes live animals, dangerous goods and foodstuffs.
