Lufthansa Cargo connects DB Schenker stations via API booking
Lufthansa Cargo's smartBooking API is a digital interface that maps the booking process for customers and partners in a fully digitalized way, making it even easier and more targeted.
A direct API connection (API: Application Programming Interface) exists between Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker's booking system as of this month. DB Schenker benefits from this digital solution not only in terms of quicker offer search and booking, but also in terms of full offer transparency in real time.
Lufthansa Cargo's smartBooking API is a digital interface that maps the booking process for customers and partners in a fully digitalized way, making it even easier and more targeted. In this way, customers receive information on up to 40 routes per product with the corresponding best prices directly into their booking system around the clock. All offers are fully validated and immediately bookable. This also eliminates the need for duplicate data entry.
"At Lufthansa Cargo, we rely on digital solutions that offer our customers clear added value - be it in search and booking processes or the management of the same. smartBooking is one such solution: Current offer data is transmitted quickly, seamlessly and transparently in this way, in line with our customer's respective needs. The fact that our long-standing Global Partner DB Schenker is now successfully connected to Lufthansa Cargo via this API link is something we are very pleased about and motivates us to continuously develop our digital services and solutions," emphasizes Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.
By linking their Transport Management System (TMS) directly to Lufthansa Cargo's booking system, forwarders such as long-standing customer DB Schenker can structure offers according to their needs and use available booking options immediately. To start with, DB Schenker is using the interface to book standard products such as General Cargo (td.pro and td.flash), with the option to extend to special products.
“The long-standing cooperation and trust between Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker was key for the implementation of the API interface. Direct access to Lufthansa Cargo‘s dynamic pricing from our inhouse Transport Management System will boost the user experience. Our customers will benefit from the additional efficiency”, highlights Asok Kumar, EVP Global Air Freight at DB Schenker.
Customers and partners can use an API connection to Lufthansa Cargo for free, and the same applies to newly released features that are added over time. The system may be tailored to fit the demands of individual customers. DB Schenker has been employing the smartBooking interface to Lufthansa Cargo as part of a worldwide rollout since the middle of the month, thanks to a quick and professional cooperation throughout the development and deployment of the interface over a few months. This includes DB Schenker stations globally, which can call up, compare, book, and manage Lufthansa Cargo offers for regular items and, in the future, extended product alternatives.
