Number of companies using ‘BRUcloud’ at Brussels Airport doubled in three months

March 31, 2018: Number of companies using slot booking app, BRUcloud, installed at the Brussels Airport, has increased twofold to 15, recently. BRUcloud, the cloud-based data sharing slot booking app was installed at the Brussels Airport on January 15. At that point, about seven companies subscribed to BRUcloud.  Interestingly, the number of companies using the […]

Number of companies using ‘BRUcloud’ at Brussels Airport doubled in three months
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March 31, 2018: Number of companies using slot booking app, BRUcloud, installed at the Brussels Airport, has increased twofold to 15, recently.

BRUcloud, the cloud-based data sharing slot booking app was installed at the Brussels Airport on January 15. At that point, about seven companies subscribed to BRUcloud.

Interestingly, the number of companies using the app doubled, with eight additional extra firms adopted the application in their live operations.

The slot booking app eliminates one of the most compelling problems — waiting and idle times at the facilities of ground handlers.

The app maintains the balance between supply and demand of time slots, thereby streamlining the pick-up and delivery of freight by ground handlers, which leads to a better capacity utilisation, and eliminates peaks and idle-times.

The tool offers the booker (for example forwarder) to request a single or recurrent time slot at a specific facility, through a central Web-application for all ground handlers.

Concurrently, the supplier (for example ground handler) can make time slots for different cargo types, which is available through the Web interface or a system-to-system link, with its internal slot management system.

The slot booking application is available to stakeholders at BRUcargo through the open data sharing platform RUcloud. The application has been developed in a flexible way, so it can be used for any other limited resource or by any cargo community facing the same problems, be it an airport or a seaport. After using the application for more than two months now, the users from wave 1 are absolutely positive.

“WFS is supporting this overall project. We strongly believe in the positive effects of the use of the slot booking app. The first GO LIVE was a success. Participants within WFS were more than ever enthusiastic about the further roll out of the app,” said Eddy Myngheer, general manager Belgium, WFS.

David Bellon, airfreight director, DHL Global Forwarding said: “The slot booking app ensures an improved planning of resources, and reduces the waiting time during peak periods in air cargo delivery and pick-up value chain. DHL is convinced it’s a milestone, which will provide transparency, and an improved handling process at various cargo pick-up and delivery stations. It’s only a first step towards further digitisation of our industry, moreover at the Brussels Airport.”

Jeff Segers from IFA Skyfast said: “During the initial days of the launch of the app, Skyfast could eliminate a lots of waiting time at the ground handler’s facilities. Similarly, we were able to deploy our staff more efficiently than before.”

After the launch of the first release in January, new partners showed interest to get on board.

“Over last few months, we had held meetings with all interested parties to demonstrate the application, and inform them on how to become a part of the user group,” said Sara Van Gelder, cargo development manager and in charge of the digitalisation projects, BRUcargo.

“This has resulted in eight additional companies, which is using the application currently, while more parties are in the pipeline,” said Gelder.

“This application is just a part of the landside management tool, which we are developing at Brussels. We will not only continue to improve and develop this app based on feedback of our users, but later this year, additional application will be launched that will interact and share data with the slot booking app,” said Steven Polmans, head of cargo & logistics, Brussels Airport.

Aviapartner, WFS, DHL GF, Nippon Express, Kuehne+Nagel, Panalpina and IFA Skyfast, are the list of companies that joined in January.

Similarly, Saco Group Air, MSE, Bollore, WFS Forwarding, DB Schenker, CEVA Logistics, Yusen Logistics and DSV, are the other eight companies who joined recently.

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