Kale Info Solutions (Kale), the US subsidiary of global IT provider Kale Logistics Solutions, has successfully piloted its truck slot and dock management system with leading ground handler Worldwide Flight Services, Inc (WFS) at John F Kennedy Airport in New York, USA.
The Artificial intelligence-based module, part of Kale’s Airport Cargo Community System (ACS), has reduced truck wait times by up to 66 percent for exports and 48 percent for imports.
Around 50 organizations and more than 160 individual users, including truckers and ground handling operatives, were enrolled onto the pilot test, which began in December 2021.
“Truck congestion is becoming a major challenge in North American airports and ports, and JFK, being a significant one, requires a smart system to handle cargo movement seamlessly,” said Amar More, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kale Logistics Solutions, who will be speaking on the ‘Shaping the Future panel’ at the TIACA Executive Summit in San Francisco on 22nd March.
“We have helped several airport and port communities across the world in overcoming such challenges and are excited to work with WFS and the JFK cargo community in changing the way cargo is picked up and delivered in New York forever through this initiative.”
The pilot included integration of Kale’s ACS truck and slot management module with WFS’ state-of-the-art warehouse management system, ePic, to create a digital transformation of the exports and imports processes. The cargo community at JFK is pleased with the results of the pilot as companies have benefited from significant trade visibility and transparency with cargo movement, thereby improving their internal efficiency.
The system addresses the causes of congestion such as bunching of truck traffic, lack of information for operational planning to handlers, paperwork at the airport, and visibility of airport operations to the stakeholders.
“At WFS at we are looking at digital transformation of our processes that can enable us to handle cargo more efficiently and address the root causes of congestion,” said Rinzing Wangyal, Vice President, Worldwide Flight Services.
“We have created a digital infrastructure with an integrated system and the results of the pilot are very encouraging.
“Looking at the benefits delivered by the pilot phase and encouraging feedback from the cargo community, we will soon be rolling this out across all our facilities in JFK and other stations in North America.”
Kale helped set up the first air cargo community system in the US at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2020 and has since continued to drive ACS adoption and stakeholder collaboration at airports in the region and across the globe.
Donna Mullins, VP, Kale Info Solutions, said, “WFS is a leading global ground handler continuously looking at improving the processes with the challenges surrounding congestion at JFK, and we were glad to partner with them on this important initiative. Now, all the stakeholders at the airport can visually see how community platforms work and make their jobs easier. We are working with several airport communities in North America on alleviating the pains related to supply chain disruptions.”
What the users say…
Mabel Collado at Airmax International, who are participants in the pilot program, said, “WFS Dock Management has been one of the greatest tools we’ve used in our company. Truly recommend others to start using this system if they want to save time at the airlines.”
Roy Romano, at First in First Out, which has a significant operation at JFK, said, “The new ACS system is a great addition to building 9 and any other WFS building going forward. Drivers are now out of building 9 in a timely manner which in turn helps us lower cost. Transition has been very smooth with all of the many training sessions that were made available during the roll out period. We cannot wait for WFS to bring this platform to other locations in the future.”
Samira Sultan at APEX Logistics International, INC, said, “WFS Dock Management is a money saving machine and will save you from all the detention. Apex team is glad to be a part of this new system from day 1. It’s not time consuming, easy to book and truckers don’t have to wait in a long line, which we’ve been requesting for some time. Thanks to WFS for this amazing service.”
Nick Ramnarain, at Five Star Freight Systems, another key participant, said, “As a dispatcher for Five Star Freight Systems, it has been found easier and quicker to pick-up and drop-off freight at WFS building 9. Before WFS had their portal to set up appointments, it was long hours for drivers at the airline, but now, the most time they take is an hour to an hour and a half. If there are any complications with a specific freight, I would give a call to WFS and they would assist me in the quickest way possible. Thank you WFS team for helping Five Star get easier access in WFS building 9 and we hope the same process can proceed in the other WFS buildings as well.”
