OAG Cargo Solutions and IBS Software Announce Strategic Alliance
Munich, 13 May '09: OAG Cargo Solutions (www.oagcargo.com), a leading data and online information services business for the global airfreight industry and part of UBM Aviation, announced today it has signed an agreement with IBS Software Services (www.ibsplc.com) to develop its next generation Air Freight Rates application, AFRA-2. IBS, a specialist in the aviation technology domain, will deliver a completely new application that will significantly enhance the way airlines, GSA’s and freight forwarders interact on the distribution, management and selection of real-time airfreight rates.
AFRA is an online, real-time rate distribution and management application. It enables airlines to distribute their rates electronically and forwarders to manage air freight rates and optimize the selection of carriers.
The new application will use new-generation technology, incorporating several vital functionalities to transform the way airlines upload, manage and distribute their rates. Once re-engineered by IBS, AFRA-2 will deliver improved overall performance in a reliable and fully web-enabled environment. It will use modular three-tier architecture for increased security, and provide an intuitive and flexible application which is scalable. Most importantly for users, the technology will capture and process the data much more efficiently which will ensure that AFRA delivers a fast, accurate and totally reliable air freight rates service to airlines, freight forwarders and integrators alike.
The announcement was made at the Air Cargo Europe Exhibition & Conference in Munich.
Mike Navin, Managing Director, OAG Cargo Solutions said: “We are pleased to be working with IBS Software Services. We are on target to release a preview version to the market in September and eagerly await delivery of the first phase of the development. Simplifying some of the functionality and streamlining certain features will ensure AFRA-2 delivers a better user experience based on a completely new interface and enhanced product features. We have listened to our customers and have already received interest from companies wishing to white label AFRA-2 as a full-service option for their own clients.”
Peter Cefai, President & Head, Global Business Operations, IBS Group said: “We are very excited to enter into this alliance with OAG and view this relationship as a strategically important one. OAG is a well respected brand globally in the travel industry and having them as a client is yet another feather in IBS’s cap. This further underscores IBS’s credentials as one of the fastest growing providers of solutions to the travel, transportation and logistics industry.”
Malvinder Singh, CIO, UBM Aviation, added: “We were impressed by the level of domain experience and technology expertise offered by IBS. Their proven background in delivering high-tech solutions is an excellent fit with OAG’s renowned aviation data business. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.”
OAG Cargo is exhibiting at Air Cargo Europe 2009, booth number 309, exhibition hall A4.
About OAG Cargo Solutions (www.oagcargo.com)
OAG Cargo Solutions provides an expanding portfolio of innovative products and services to the global air cargo community. Its air freight community portal OAGcargo.com includes tools for routing and shipment planning, dangerous goods regulations, a real-time air freight rates database, air and road schedule data, tracking and analysis solutions and multi-media cargo schedule products. Its renowned Inforwarding service has more than 26,000 registered freight forwarding and airline users in 26 markets worldwide. It is part of UBM Aviation (www.ubmaviation.com), a global data and information business serving the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics, maintenance repair & overhaul (MRO) and business travel communities with information products, market intelligence, news and events.
AFRA is an online, real-time rate distribution and management application. It enables airlines to distribute their rates electronically and forwarders to manage air freight rates and optimize the selection of carriers.
The new application will use new-generation technology, incorporating several vital functionalities to transform the way airlines upload, manage and distribute their rates. Once re-engineered by IBS, AFRA-2 will deliver improved overall performance in a reliable and fully web-enabled environment. It will use modular three-tier architecture for increased security, and provide an intuitive and flexible application which is scalable. Most importantly for users, the technology will capture and process the data much more efficiently which will ensure that AFRA delivers a fast, accurate and totally reliable air freight rates service to airlines, freight forwarders and integrators alike.
The announcement was made at the Air Cargo Europe Exhibition & Conference in Munich.
Mike Navin, Managing Director, OAG Cargo Solutions said: “We are pleased to be working with IBS Software Services. We are on target to release a preview version to the market in September and eagerly await delivery of the first phase of the development. Simplifying some of the functionality and streamlining certain features will ensure AFRA-2 delivers a better user experience based on a completely new interface and enhanced product features. We have listened to our customers and have already received interest from companies wishing to white label AFRA-2 as a full-service option for their own clients.”
Peter Cefai, President & Head, Global Business Operations, IBS Group said: “We are very excited to enter into this alliance with OAG and view this relationship as a strategically important one. OAG is a well respected brand globally in the travel industry and having them as a client is yet another feather in IBS’s cap. This further underscores IBS’s credentials as one of the fastest growing providers of solutions to the travel, transportation and logistics industry.”
Malvinder Singh, CIO, UBM Aviation, added: “We were impressed by the level of domain experience and technology expertise offered by IBS. Their proven background in delivering high-tech solutions is an excellent fit with OAG’s renowned aviation data business. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.”
OAG Cargo is exhibiting at Air Cargo Europe 2009, booth number 309, exhibition hall A4.
About OAG Cargo Solutions (www.oagcargo.com)
OAG Cargo Solutions provides an expanding portfolio of innovative products and services to the global air cargo community. Its air freight community portal OAGcargo.com includes tools for routing and shipment planning, dangerous goods regulations, a real-time air freight rates database, air and road schedule data, tracking and analysis solutions and multi-media cargo schedule products. Its renowned Inforwarding service has more than 26,000 registered freight forwarding and airline users in 26 markets worldwide. It is part of UBM Aviation (www.ubmaviation.com), a global data and information business serving the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics, maintenance repair & overhaul (MRO) and business travel communities with information products, market intelligence, news and events.