IATA’s Cargo iQ to launch smart data portal for members

Feb 08, 2017: Cargo iQ, the IATA interest group with the mission of creating and encouraging the implementation of quality standards for the worldwide air cargo industry, has partnered with iRIX Software Engineering and Information Builders to launch Smart Data programme.

The programme is a three-stage project, which will generate a broader scope of measurements, more information on specific milestones, and self-service member access to the group’s reporting platform.

Module One of the programme, which will boost Airport-to-Airport data collection and benchmarking processing, is underway and due for completion in the spring of 2017.

Swiss IT service provider iRIX Software Engineering will implement Module Two, an online portal, which members can access to interrogate Cargo iQ data for customised reports on milestones covering individual routes, timeframes, and the performance of their partners.

Full access to the portal will be launched in autumn of this year.

“The Smart Data project will enable members to look at the data in a lot more detail and analyse it more easily so that they can reallocate resources to the areas where it is most needed to improve their processes, and consequently, their quality,” said Ariaen Zimmerman, executive director, Cargo iQ.

“We are providing them with enhanced milestone data transparency to drive innovation along the whole Door to Door air freight supply chain, whilst supporting individual and industry quality and process improvement.”

Basel based iRIX Software Engineering was selected on the basis of its specialism in Cloud and infrastructure engineering. iRIX will implement Information Builders’ technology, which is a mature and well-proven business intelligence solution.

Cargo iQ has a dedicated Working Group overseeing the implementation of its Smart Data programme, which is working on the specification of Module Three which will incorporate Door-to-Door (D2D) data from forwarders and generate an holistic view on the air cargo distribution chain.

Cargo iQ collects an average of ten lines of movement data per Air WayBill, and a total of 110 million lines of data per year are processed by the Cargo iQ reporting system.

"Business intelligence delivers the highest value to organisations when it is provided in an accessible format to operational staff, partners, and customers: enabling people throughout the supply chain to act upon that information," said David Small, senior vice president, International Division for Information Builders.”

“Ensuring the quality and accuracy of that data is critical for empowering employees to make informed decisions that drive business value. The combination of Cargo iQ, iRIX Software, and Information Builders’ platform will reassure members that their data is complete, consistent, available and reliable."

The Smart Data programme is part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the value Cargo iQ delivers to its members and to the industry as a whole.

“We are looking forward to a long and fruitful working relationship with Cargo iQ, and seeing in practice how our software supports them in bringing further quality to the air cargo industry,” said Thierry Bosshart, managing partner and CEO, iRIX Software Engineering AG.

As part of this, the Group will appoint a new independent auditor to certify members’ Quality Management Systems later in the year and is embarking on a programme to recruit small and medium forwarders to join as members.

Photo: Ariaen Zimmerman, Cargo iQ