Brussels Airport advances in digitisation using BRUcloud

May 03, 2017: The leading cloud based data sharing platform Nallian, that operates communities is releasing its Slot Booking Application at Brussels Airport. Recently, Nallian also launched NxtPort, a data utility platform which will collect and pool data from various levels in the supply chain of the Port of Antwerp.

Steven Polmans, head of BRUcargo, initiated the BRUcloud implementation in 2015, with the aim of enabling seamless collaboration between all cargo points around the airport, by installing an open community platform that helps these companies to easily collaborate through a pool of shared data. Such shared data is used to synchronise cross-company processes, allowing clusters of independent companies to achieve efficiency levels that are historically reserved to fully integrated players only. The BRUcloud is not the first cargo community system in the world. It is however the first one that is open, in the sense that anyone can add applications on top of the pool of shared data. Such open character allows the community to tap into a vibrant ecosystem of innovative solution providers, instead of being dependent of one monolithic system and provider for everything.

“It is only a couple of months ago that we started to define the scope of our first releaseThe first testing-sessions have been extremely positive”, says Steven Polmans, Head of Cargo at Brussels Airport. “The Slot Booking App will open a lot of opportunities for future applications”, adds Sara Van Gelder, Cargo Development Manager and in charge of the digitalization projects at BRUcargo. Jean Verheyen, CEO of Nallian: “This application is our next step in the digital roadmap to make BRUcargo the most efficient, smart and attractive logistical platform in Europe.”

Since going live in 2015, the system has already been extended with a dashboard visualising the quality of pharma shipments, an application which makes the booking of pooled equipment possible (e.g.: our very own Airside Transport Pharma Dollies) and a statistical application which creates insight in the freight volumes handled at BRUcargo. The next killer app, to be implemented over the next months, is Nallian’s very own Slot Booking Application!

The Slot Booking Application will eliminate one of the most compelling problems, the waiting times and idle times at the facilities of the ground handlers. By coordinating the match between supply and demand of time slots, the app streamlines the pick-up and delivery of freight at the ground handlers and leads to a better capacity utilization and elimination of peaks and idle-times. The Slot Booking App makes it possible for the booker (for example a forwarder) to request a single or recurrent time slot at a specific facility, via the same central web-application for all ground handlers. Concurrently, the supplier (ground handler) can make time slots for different cargo types available via the web-application or a system-to-system link with its intern slot management system.

The Slot Booking Application is made available to the stakeholders at BRUcargo via the BRUcloud. Don’t be misled, this is no local solution for Brussels only, but an application that can equally be implemented in other communities around the world! On top, this application is developed in a flexible way, so it can be used for other limited resources.