Puma Case Study

Puma Cargo case study - Sept 2007

Custom-built to customs standard

Freight forwarding software takes advantage of latest technology
By Marcia MacLeod

Ever since UK Customs began moving to electronic clearance, connection to its computer systems - from Laces to Chief and beyond - has become an essential requirement for all freight forwarders. Without it, they simply cannot work.

In theory, the connections are easy, relatively fast and are taken for granted by the import and export staff. But, of course, everything is easy in theory: in practice, things often take on a different hue.

Forwarders have to decide which cargo community systems they wish to connect to, how they plan to do so, whether they will integrate their operational software and which forwarding system they will use.

Puma Cargo, founded in 1974, with offices in Leeds and Manchester airport, uses Community Network Services (CNS), based in Southampton, to make maritime entries, and CCS-UK, the UK's sole airport community system, for air freight clearances.

CNS has links to its main rival, Felixstowe based Maritime Cargo Processing (MCP), which enables Puma to cover all the country's ports through the one connection.

Initially, Puma used an ISDN line to link its system to CNS. "We had just the one line, with eight workstations attached to it, " explained Brian Hobson, a director of Puma.

"All maritime entries were routed through that one connection. But, although CNS installed the line, we were subject to BT charges and found it increasingly expensive.

We needed to change." Last October, LSI-Sigma, which supplied Puma's forwarding software, suggested it switched to a virtual private network to reduce communications costs, and put it in touch with Albacore, which specialises in VPNs.

A VPN links computers together over the internet using broadband, but by installing its own routers, software and security features, it is more reliable, robust and secure than the public internet.

"Albacore carried out an audit of our system and showed us how a VPN would help us, " Hobson said. "CNS had not always permitted internet connection to its system, but it recommended a VPN because it is secure, as well as faster, cheaper and always on." Albacore installed and manages the VPN.

It also provided a new tailor-built server and replaced four of the old workstation computers.

In fact, two VPNs were installed: one at Leeds and one at Manchester. "Previously, we weren't completing maritime entries at Manchester, only air freight clearances, " Hobson said. "But we decided to have a second link to CNS for two reasons: one to help spread the load, and the other, even more important, to provide back-up in case the Leeds system went down.

"We had been thinking about installing a second CNS connection, but had deferred the decision because of cost. The arrival of the VPN made it possible to change at a reasonable price.

"Now we clear some cargo in Leeds and some in Manchester. And, if the Leeds system goes down for any reason, we can take the necessary documents, hop in the car, and drive to Manchester to use the second connection." Puma hasn't disclosed what it paid for the VPN, or for the annual maintenance, but whatever the investment, it has been worthwhile, said Hobson."The VPN is 30 times faster than the ISDN connection, and we save approximately £3,000a year." He added: "Not only that, but we know that if something goes wrong, which is very rare, Albacore will come out and sort it. We had issues in the past with software suppliers blaming hardware suppliers and vice versa, but these have disappeared. Albacore knows LSI-Sigma and they both know how the systems work. It is so much easier." LSI-Sigma plays a significant role in Puma's success as a forwarder. Initially, Puma used forwarders' software from Impatex, which, Hobson pointed out, was a pioneer in agents' systems. Although it worked successfully for many years, when the local support staff changed, Puma began to look elsewhere.

Hobson said: "We were one of the first forwarders locally to embrace CFSP, but it was hard to get the relevant software in the beginning. A lot of software houses thought traders would do their own clearances through CFSP so didn't write any programs for agents. But LSI-Sigma offered to write the software for us." Now Puma is looking at the next customs requirement: Authorised Economic Operator.

"Changes in systems over the past few years have been tremendous, " Hobson said.

"But what hasn't changed is customer expectation regarding service and price. To maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, we have to have experienced, well-trained staff and robust IT systems at a price we can afford."

Posted: 07-09-2007

Article from International Freighting Weekly:

www.ifw-net.com

Published: 7/09/2007 GMT