HOW TECHNOLOGY HELPS GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

Cedric Millet, President of CargoTech
Matthieu Petot, CE0 of CargoAi
Nathanaël de Tarade, CEO of Wiremind Cargo

1. 1. What tech is missing from global supply chains and why? By this, what I am keen to understand is what is the next big tech frontier - what’s the new thing that people haven’t yet cottoned into?

   Cedric Millet

   While there has been significant technological investment in streamlining supply chains over the last decade, this has not been the case for air cargo. From this perspective, the air cargo industry is fortunate to be able to leverage on the trials and errors that so many other (related) industries have gone through, and to implement the best processes, technologies and systems. The best example is that booking sea freight online has been possible for close to 10 years but really only started kicking off in air freight in the last 2 years.

   With technology as integral to the way of life of the companies that compose CargoTech, what we bring is a lean and modern approach to creating new products, where we are always able to put the customer first and adapt quickly to requests. Whether it is the CargoDigital Factory, Wiremind Cargo or CargoAi, our customers are an integral part of the equation. This approach is uncommon with the legacy IT providers that are mainly working with the airlines and forwarders.

   Also, I don’t think the next big frontier is one specific, unique and sudden breakthrough. Rather than that, I think it is a silent revolution: the priority is given to tech in the industry. There is a massive increase in awareness among people that technology and digital solutions can create enormous value for them, and help them solve their problems, from staff shortage to optimization of their revenues and costs, from operational pain points to commercial decisions.

   I believe that transforming this awareness into implementation projects at a large scale has just started.

2. 2. What is it that you offer and why would a prospective client choose your solutions over a competitor’s?

   Matthieu Petot

   Our key differentiator is that our products are created by an equal fusion of air cargo and tech experts; combined with modern product development tools. Both are essential in our success, as with every business, the team is key.

   Our air cargo expertise ensures that we speak the same language as our customers (forwarders) and partners (airlines). The tech expertise ensures that we drive the solutions that are requested as quickly and easily as possible.

   As an example, we are the only platform to offer repeat bookings, allocation bookings, spot request features and with no product or weight limitations. We combined this with a very easy to use interface which is why it has been very easy to adopt by more than 6,000 freight forwarders in 103 countries so far.

   Nathanaël de Tarade

   As Wiremind Cargo, we believe to have 4 main competitive advantages:

   1. Systems that are simpler to use. That is often called ‘UX’, but it is basically about how fast someone ( with little or no experience in their position) can start using our systems and get value out of them.
   2. A unique way to manage your capacity with SkyPallet, the most advanced flight and ULD optimization tool on the market.
   3. A true expertise in Data Science. For instance, we have experience in implementing Deep Learning AI models, which are used in production (not just as POC or blog publications).
   4. Systems that are easier to integrate within existing process, thanks to a 100% API-centric architecture.

3. 3. Is the move to tech and the associated downsizing of staff setting the industry up for a fall of some kind?

   Matthieu Petot

   It is false to assume that tech brings downsizing of staff. Taking covid out of the equation, the acceleration of technology innovation and the globally recognized record low level of unemployment in recent years is proof of this. Companies and governments have prioritized the adoption of technology in line with the upskilling of each country’s workforce.

   In the CargoAi example, we identified that forwarders are making several calls of the same nature (asking for space and quotes) for the same 100kg of cargo. When this process is automated, forwarder companies can redirect their focus on things that truly require the human element like customer service.

   Nathanaël de Tarade

   As a solutions provider, I would not get any motivation if I thought my products were contributing somehow to such a scenario. I am and we are convinced at CargoTech that digitalization is an enabler that allows to do more and to do better.

   Cedric Millet

   On a company level, digitization helps employees redirect their focus to tasks that bring greater value (rather than mundane, repetitive tasks which can be automated). When employees identify with the greater value they are bringing to their company, including when their effort is also recognized, it brings greater workplace satisfaction in a general sense. In fact, rather than downsizing, the main issue is staff shortage at the moment for many stakeholders. So if our solutions can help them work more efficiently, it is certainly a good thing.