IBS Software Services offers software solutions to the global Travel, Transportation and Logistics industry. In an interview with CIOL Bureau, Larry Mays, Head Airline Cargo Business, IBS Software, gives us an insight on the airline cargo industry and the Core Group of Influence (CGI) to develop iCargo.

CIOL: Please elaborate on the Core Group of Influence
Larry Mays: CGI (Core Group of Influence) Forum is an alliance of IBS and the air cargo industry, represented by a selected group of progressive airline cargo operators. These comprise Australian Air Express, Air New Zealand Cargo (ANZ), Gulf Air Cargo, Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), Qantas Freight and South African Airways Cargo.

Together with the IBS technology and cargo domain expertise, the members share a common vision that an integrated new generation system, such as iCargo, can be a catalyst for change in the industry, freeing it up from the legacy system constraints on products and service.

CIOL: The CGI influences and validates the processes and functionality of iCargo to address the current and future requirements of the industry. Can you elaborate on this?
L.M: CGI influences the direction of product development and create the product roadmap for iCargo. It validates functional specifications and user interfaces and ensure functional adequacy for member airlines and for the industry in general. At every release of the product, a forum meeting is held where a demo of the product version is made. The inputs from the members serve as enhancements for our product.

CGI members may become iCargo users; two of them already are – NCA, ANZ. They will be able to influence its design and thus have the product support their cargo business strategy. They have the option but not the obligation to be iCargo customers.

In short, CGI is an unprecedented alliance of IT specialists and end users, united in a common goal, working together to produce the world's definitive cargo management system.

CIOL: Explain about "iCargo" the airline cargo service system and future of this line of business?
L.M: iCargo is one of IBS' next-generation airline cargo management systems, built from the ground–up on new-generation technology, that are flexible, scalable and viable migration options from current legacy based airline cargo management systems.

Built on the experience of over 400 person years and the active collaboration of the CGI, IBS cargo solutions offer the most comprehensive functionality and industry best practices. Add to this the fact that IBS is a strategic ISV partner to IBM for airline cargo solutions, and an IATA StB Preferred Partner for e-freight solutions. IBS airline cargo solutions are available in three versions iCargo, iCargoLite+ and iCargoLite based on the range of functionality on offer.

iCargo supports the needs of the entire cargo/freight logistics chain from shipper to consignee. It is an integrated, multi-hosting system which addresses cargo reservations, capacity control; load planning, cargo terminal operations rating, cargo pricing, cargo revenue accounting, and freight forwarding requirements of commercial cargo carrying airlines. The product design supports innovative business models and is built on a flexible architecture that enables carriers to respond quickly and efficiently to changing customer needs. The functional coverage and packaging of iCargo is such that it addresses the current and future cargo business needs of airlines.