The Hindu Business Line : IBS develops terminal operations system for Emirates Group

IBS Software Services, a major player in the travel, transport and logistics (TTL) sector, has developed and successfully implemented Chameleon, a new-generation cargo terminal operations system for the Emirates Group.

Chameleon has been designed to handle end-to-end management and monitoring of cargo consignments from the time a consignment is delivered to the airline till its delivery at the destination airport.

This would arguably be one of the largest and most complex systems using new generation technologies for the airline cargo industry, according to Mr V.K. Mathews, Chairman and Managing Director, IBS.

Chameleon enables a ground handler to manage all cargo terminal operations - from reserving an air waybill to manifesting the shipment on a flight on the export/air side and receiving the cargo from the airline and delivering the shipment to the consignee on the import/land side. Chameleon also supports radio communications through hand held terminals and improves productivity and service levels by defining flexible workflows and monitoring the performance of the different business processes.

Chameleon is one of the largest IT system implementations that the Emirates Group has undertaken in recent times, and the project is strategically important for the Group, said Mr Joshua Koshy, Senior VP-IT, Emirates Group.

A multi-million dollar project with over 120 person years of effort, Chameleon enables data communication using mobile computers and handheld devices to improve flow control and piece-level tracking and thereby reduce operational errors.

The system is expected to improve productivity and service levels by automating the workflow, enabling paperless internal processes and monitoring processes and performance.

It also provides customers, suppliers and other partners direct control over logistics, processes and costs, while offering an advanced tool that boosts productivity and profitability - all of which will help Emirates to quickly boost its cargo revenue.

IBS had recently partnered with Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS), a division of Cendant Corp for the marketing of the new generation Passenger Services System that replaces legacy technologies.