The cloud-based server, with its globally accessible user interface and single server, is beginning to revolutionize the industry. The single server brings company-owned offices and agents, as well their clients (exporter and importer), together in a single environment. A global platform with the capacity to move cargo from origin to destination provides not only visibility, but also control at every step of cargo movement — from issuance of the purchase order to delivery of the cargo.
The single server will replace non-integrated legacy local systems around the world and the concept of exchanging data that mirrors the old concept of exchanging documents.
All parties involved in a shipment will work together on a single server and single shipment file with uniform and consistent process controls and data standards, thereby ensuring the data consistency required to deliver predictable inventory movement that tomorrow’s integrated global supply chains demand.
Many functions will become a single, critical event: setting up the shipment, selecting the underlying carrier and vendors (including truckers and carriers), and event timing (appointments). Customs clearance will become nearly fully automated, brokers will perform initial classification of cargo and resolve problems, and brokers will not key in shipment data to report to customs agencies.
Many processes will simply disappear, as they historically involved re-keying the same data into multitudes of systems (carrier portals, AMS and ISF interfaces, and destination systems including destination warehouse systems). The entry of data will be automated.
Destination delivery will be automated or nearly automated by the combination of customs clearance taking place during the ocean voyage and an expanded adoption of peel-off stacks, allowing cargo to be delivered to the distribution center shortly after vessel arrival.
The digital paradigm will focus on the control of cargo movement rather than simply on visibility, and the cloud-based platform will deliver that control.