Solution

Awery ERP GSAs/GSSAs SET with additional customization.
For supporting the main Unitag’s mission - to provide maximum flexibility in fulfilling customer requests the following custom functionality has been developed:

- Module for incoming air waybills automatic processing

- Additional cargo loading and unloading prioritization functionality

Unitag team has been using Awery ERP since 2018 and today Yuri Belan, Member of the Board of Directors agreed to answer several questions about the project.

“Yuri, hi. Thank you for agreeing to answer the questions. The first of all, please tell us a little bit more about Unitag and your team’s style of doing a business”

Yes, sure. Our company was run in 1993 and now represents 12 airlines in the Israeli market. We not only provide sales and marketing but arrange full supervision for ground cargo handling and additional services.

Our main approach to doing business and competitive advantage is flexibility- the Unitag team is focused on our customer’s needs, we are eager to find the best solution for a client. There always are always several factors for cargo GSSA  to operate with- not only price and flight schedule. So depending on the particular request, we try to find the best balance of these factors. It is not an easy way and that’s why business processes and calculation automation become vital.

“What was your company’s pathway in the business processes automation- which solution did you use before?”

We used to use an in-house solution for the main workflow support, but from some point of time we evaluated that the further system development and keeping it up-to-date took too many resources. We were looking for a solution that could not only support standard Cargo GSA processes but reflect the peculiarities of our business. Also, it was mandatory for us that a supplier’s team has to provide a quick response for additional functionality requests.

“Why did you decide on Awery ERP?”
There were several solutions into consideration- we studied functionality in detail, had a session with potential suppliers. Finally, we decided that Awery ERP provides more flexibility in customization and good value for money”

“Did you evaluate project effectiveness in figures?”
We have a lot of new features providing in a plan as regards to functionality has been provided already, we reduced the time spent on day-to-day processes implementation by 50 % as well as human factor errors in twice too.

“Yuri, which Awery ERP pros & cons could you distinguish?”

Pros - flexibility, flights schedules, AWBs and invoicing  processing,

Cons- Awery ERP not approved by Israeli authorities, so we have to import the data into third-party bookkeeping software.

In general, there are a couple of ways how Awery system could be developed- to expand reports and analytics modules, especially combine reports will be useful. Also- sync with other airline systems and local bookkeeping software. And the additional options to communicate with shippers to allow track their shipment without website an e-mail box visiting.

“Yuri, Thank you for sharing your opinion- it is really important for us to get direct feedback. We are working on the system improving all the time, in the nearest future we will present new modules that will take communication between the market participants to the next level.
Thank you for your time and for your partnership”

Solution

Awery ERP GSAs/GSSAs SET with multi-offices and multi-currencies support. 

M&C Aviation has been using Awery ERP for more than 2 years and we asked Shehan Mathew, M&C BDM to summarize how far they moved in the company’s digitalization and automation within this term.

“Shenan, how tough, in your opinion, is the competition on the GSA/GSA services market? What are the key points that can help a company to compete successfully?”

GSA/GSSA market is fairly tough as airlines expect GSA to operate on small margins. This requires automation of GSA processes, staff optimization and better investment in productive technology that will assist.

“From your point of view, can a dedicated software system be a competitive advantage?”

Yes, dedicated software can be a competitive advantage as it will help to streamline business processes and long term availability of statistical and performance data.

“What was M&C Aviation's way in digitization, what solutions did you use?”

Before Awery ERP we used to use other software. It was a good tool, but we understood that we were still using a lot of solutions to cover the whole of our process, especially accounting functions and invoicing. So we started to search for a new instrument which could provide full automation. 

“Why did your company choose Awery ERP?”

Awery’s solution is a fully-fledged airline cargo management system with an integrated accounting module. So we were able to automate the whole of our processes through one software.

“And how automation has helped you to improve your day-to-day efficiency?”

Our processes were improved in several directions.

First of all, it is invoicing and billing processes. Rate sheets are very useful for automation of revenue, expenses, and finalization for billing. Client email billing is improved with fewer human resources required for management. We have got better visibility of accounting jobs.

Air waybill management. We have reduced paper-based processes. AWB booking process for record-keeping and accounting has been simplified, especially AWB Stock Management is easier now, fewer human resources now required for AWB management per airline. 

Flights information management. M&S team has got better flight management functionality, as an example, we can create and manage flight schedules much easier and faster.

We have got better statistics availability for Customers and Operators. Reporting and reconciling with operators now are more transparent with correct historical data available for operators and audits.

“Have you achieved your goal - use one solution for all back-office processes management?” 

For the most part, yes. Additionally to the ERP, we use only two solutions customized to cover some particular local tax and regulations headquarter. 

The first one is for employees Leave Balance accounting and control and Payroll Outsourcing service to manage employees in Australia and New Zealand. 

The second service is a solution we use for our Freight Forwarding business in Seychelles and Mauritius.

“What are the next improvements your company’s workflow requires from the software?”

It is very important for us to improve and simplify interaction with our client, so now we are in the process of creating our Customer Booking Web-Portal. It will allow us to automate AWB booking process for customers and reduce human involvement.

“Shenan, what additional functionality might help your company to boost efficiency? Which Awery ERP modules should be upgraded in your opinion?”

There are a couple of them.

It will be helpful to simplify the logic of the graphical user interface for time-saving.

AWB profit control process - better flexibility should be provided in management functionality.

Report builder - we will be glad to get the ability to generate custom reports as per requirement. This could really help us to stay flexible in the ever-changing environment and new customers' needs.

“Which Awery ERP pros & cons could you distinguish?”

Pros - good support provided by Awery team, simple menus, ease of using, a lot of options available in Operational and Accounting processes.

Cons - Recurrent unstable Flash work, during the system technology changing process, but this has improved since the middle of 2019.

The back - end should be more flexible - reports functionality and the invoice builder.

“Shenan, right,  we have already transferred 40% of the most critical functionality from Flash to HTML5 (Angular) so now the process is performing more smoothly. Thank you for your time and for your cooperation”.

Solution
Awery Documents Library. Documents distribution and control.

We asked Fedor Sorokin, Head of Quality and Audit, how Aviastar-TU rates the project results after a couple of years since DocLib implementation.

“Fedor, has Aviastar-TU used some other solutions for document distribution and control processes automation before? Why did you decide to use Documents Library?”

“After regulators changed the rules of crew acquaintance with the aviation documentation, we were obliged to deal with this for full regulation compliance. At that moment we have had already an electronic document management system, also for keeping archives and some other files we used internal file-server. However, considering the nature of pilots and flight crew work, using a file-server wasn’t convenient and using EDMS by each pilot and a crew member would be expensive and would require a lot of reworks.
We required a solution which could be easier in using for our mobile staff, as well as be transparent in document distribution results both for our management and regulators. That's why we chose Documents Library from Awery”

“How do you rate the project results? To what extent the Documents library helps your company to improve the documents storage, distribution, and control processes?”

“Document Library is an instrument so if you have a clear understanding of what results you want to get, this solution will help you in the best way. The processes became simpler, more reliable and faster - it is easy to learn and get used to the application and its functionality. The solution is understandable on an intuitive level which prevents the necessity to train each new user. Although we provide the staff with the documents management training according to our internal policies, of course. Regulators don’t set strict  rules on how the process should look like in details, so we could configure the system in accordance with the internal procedures of the airline ”

“What do you think about the functionality?   Can you remember a situation when some additional features were required  for the workflow automation”

“Talking about the level of meeting our requirements DocLib gets an “A” with a little “minus”. I believe that additional functionality in users hierarchy management will be beneficial for us. Also, we don’t use some functionality in our process, for instance,  Documents Library integration with Awery Crew Portal. I hope that Awery team will continue improving this // already added in our to-do, Fedor ;) // and the solution in general. Will be waiting for new features offer.”

Fedor, thank you for your feedback and wish all the best to  Aviastar-TU company and its team.  

“In 2017 our team started searching for a solution which would be able to make our document flow transparent and structured. Also, it was very important for us that the new solution wouldn't require a long term implementation and staff training.

We had tested several solutions with different functionality and complexity of interface but in the long run we decided to move forward with Awery. The testing process showed that Documents Library has optimum performance in the simplicity of document storage and distribution as well as good notification and alert functionality.

It took just one week to launch Awery Documents Library in our IT infrastructure, including users training. So we got the instrument that met all our requirements within the shortest term.

Summarizing our impression after two years of the system usage we can say the following:

The documents keeping process has become much easier and more convenient. We structure docs by types and user groups. Right after a particular document is being updated, all involved employees get notifications and alerts. DocLib interface is pretty simple and easy to understand for new users. Audits which were made by a local regulator, State Aviation Administration of Ukraine, approved that our document distribution and control system compliance with standards.

During these two years, we had a couple of issues with upload and download processes of particular files, but the support team managed them promptly.

Bravo Airways is always eager to elevate the business process performance so we are excited to see the future development and improvement of Documents Library functionality.

Key features:

• Direct integration with your website.
• Simple form: route, date, time, number of passengers, weight.
• List of submitted enquiries with filters: id, flight date, request date.
• A system of notifications: each broker receives the message when a new enquiry is submitted and when the customer chooses one of the suggested operators to the option.
• Main documents can be generated from the portal in .pdf: quotation, customer charter brief, invoice.

Learn more about Awery Air Charter Brokers solution here.

Customer Shipping Portal is designed to cover postal service management process related to shipment delivering from a warehouse to customers when the direct delivery option is not available (Europe, UK, the US). Learn more here

Key features:

• Faster and more convenient access to the system.
• Easy attachment download and review.
• Accurate display of all elements.

Don't hesitate to try it out.

OBC Tracker is an application for tracking on board couriers’ availability, location and shipment statuses.

Key features:
• Courier login/Data access authorization.
• Status setup - Available / Not available. Synchronized with the system.
• Movement and Location (coordinates of courier for every 20 km) updates. Awery does not store the exact coordinates/location of courier but the nearest airport location.
• Display of current active AWB/JOBS assigned to the courier. Data Visible: AWB number, status, origin, destination, commodity, weight, and the number of pieces.
• Track and trace of selected shipment, its status updates.

From now on our solutions for Cargo and Commercial Airlines, Freight Forwarders and Cargo Agents will include ULD Control Module. It helps to control entire company ULD stock, to track their movements history and current location.

Key features:
• ULD planning on flights.
• Proactive monitoring and real-time system alerts.
• Visibility of your airline’s entire ULD inventory.
• Transfer handling.
• Stock check, repair control, condition updates.
• Pallets availability at multiple locations.
• Management reports.

2-Step Verification helps protect your account from unauthorized access due to a compromised password. Even if your password is cracked, guessed, or otherwise stolen, an attacker can't sign in without a verification code, which only you can obtain via your own mobile phone.

PHP 7 will bring more capabilities and features for Awery and also increase the overall responses speed from 40% to 100% (up 2x performance):

• Improved performance: PHP 7 is up to twice as fast as PHP 5.6
• Significantly reduced memory usage
• Abstract Syntax Tree
• Consistent 64-bit support
• Improved Exception hierarchy
• Many fatal errors converted to Exceptions
• Secure random number generator
• Anonymous Classes
• Zero cost asserts

Our main goal is to make your interface more polished and satisfying to use.

So now there is no need to remember where to find anything in the system as the search will find it in seconds, no matter if it is a flight/AWB/job or menu item. The feature is already enabled for all our clients so feel free to give us your feedback on the usability.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client—typically a web server (website) and a browser; or a mail server and a mail client (e.g., Outlook). SSL allows sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials to be transmitted securely. Normally, data sent between browsers and web servers is sent in plain text—leaving you vulnerable to eavesdropping. If an attacker is able to intercept all data being sent between a browser and a web server they can see and use that information. More specifically, SSL is a security protocol. Protocols describe how algorithms should be used; in this case, the SSL protocol determines variables of the encryption for both the link and the data being transmitted. SSL secures millions of peoples’ data on the Internet every day, especially during online transactions or when transmitting confidential information. Internet users have come to associate their online security with the lock icon that comes with an SSL-secured website or green address bar that comes with an extended validation SSL-secured website. SSL-secured websites also begin with https rather than http.

From now there will be an option of sharing flights among all companies of the group from one centralized source. All changes are transmitted automatically from the main server to friendly ones. There is no more need for duplicated work. The option will be available for activation upon the agreement only.

An integration of SMS services delivery into Awery Aviation ERP System thanks to the solutions provided by Nexmo.

As this year draws to a close, we at Awery thank you for all the cooperation and hope to continue the association for a long time to come.
Wishing you and your families a very Happy Holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

We are moving Awery Cloud ERP services to MariaDB.
MariaDB Server is one of the most popular database servers in the world. It’s made by the original developers of MySQL and guaranteed to stay open source. Notable users include Wikipedia, WordPress.com and Google.