Lufthansa Cargo has partnered with IBS Software to digitalise its critical handling processes of special products and services.

The freighter will use the SaaS solutions provider’s ‘iPartner Handling’ solution to extend its checks and standard operating procedures (SoPs) of special products and services such as dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals and fresh produce.

Lufthansa Cargo said the move represents “significant progress” towards its ‘Mobile Digital Handling’ initiative, created to eliminate paper-based processes across its operations by digitalising tasks and process checks carried out by its global ground handling agent (GHA) partners.

“Driving the digital transformation of our industry has always been an ongoing priority for us at Lufthansa Cargo,” said Lufthansa Cargo’s vice president of global fulfilment management Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt.

“Aside from directly improving the data quality and thus making processes more efficient, the ‘Mobile Digital Handling’ initiative also opens up tremendous opportunities for us further innovating and improving how we work with our partners along the whole supply chain.”

The roll out of the SaaS solution will comprise of two phases. The first will see more than 30 Lufthansa Cargo stations across Europe, Asia and the Americas going live with the software.

Additional stations and several new use-cases and enhancements will then be added to the solution, said Lufthansa Cargo.

IBS Software’s SVP and head of cargo and logistics Ashok Rajan commented: “There is significant impetus in the industry to foster digitalisation initiatives that enhance partnerships and collaboration in the supply chain.

“The iPartner Handling solutions take us one step further towards our over-arching goal of building a digital ecosystem for our iCargo customers that can help generate positive business outcomes for them quickly and effectively.”

IBS Software said its latest iPartner Handling solution “seamlessly integrates” with airlines running its iCargo cloud platform for air cargo management and provides a “single access, easy to use” set of mobile and web tools that GHAs can use to carry out specialised workflows and tasks.

The company also said that “rich information” captured by GHAs will be made available through to Lufthansa on a real-time basis, which will “enhance the quality and service levels” of its cargo products.