An e-Cargo Reservation Solution to Enable Better Access to Air Freight Information
The Descartes Global Freight Exchange™ (Descartes GF-X™) is one of the largest electronic information and reservation systems in the airfreight industry. Airfreight carriers can distribute real-time product, routing, capacity and rate information to their forwarders worldwide via our leading air ecargo solution. Airfreight forwarders can access carrier information easily and make electronic bookings 24 hours a day 7 days a week, via a simple web browser (no software installation required). Types of bookings that can be made include IATA direct, back-to-back, spot and permanent/allotment bookings.
Descartes GF-X Exchange is linked to a variety of tracking providers, enabling forwarders to track their shipments through a simple click. Descartes GF-X is integrated with major carrier systems worldwide as well as several in-house systems, making it easier for new carriers to join.
Carrier Benefits and Opportunities
- Efficiency Gains
- Reduction of time-consuming calls and faxes as forwarder queries handled through Descartes GF-X Exchange
- Avoidance of double-entry into operational systems as e-cargo booking requests processed electronically
- Less time spent on administration with more time available for selling and value added services
- Revenue Opportunities
- Existing and new offerings marketed easily and in more targeted fashion
- New business gained from forwarders who prefer to book with carriers with online presence
- Potential to recover business lost through difficulty in reaching sales staff or dealing with carrier call center
- 24/7 access to customers and increase in business outside station hours
- Better network and flight planning decisions possible with higher quality, earlier booking information
- Disputes reduced as a result of a shared record of transaction
- Seamless integration with forwarders utilizing a Host-to-Host solution
Forwarder Benefits and Opportunities
- Efficiency Gains
- “One-stop transactions” with products, flight and truck details, routings, capacity availability and rates are made accessible in a single screen without having to make multiple calls to multiple carriers
- Time spent making and checking bookings significantly reduced and can instead be used for special needs
- shipments or other value added tasks
- 24/7 availability allows increased flexibility and service to customers
- Processes can be aligned across gateways/branches by standardizing the booking process around Descartes GF-X Exchange
- Revenue Opportunities
- Service improved for shipper customers as carrier offerings can be checked quickly and responses to booking requests received within minutes regardless of office opening hours - bookings could be confirmed whilst shipper is on the phone
