ross18
MP Guru
Container Corporation of India
CMC’s Container Cargo Management System
Introduction –
Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) is a multimodal (Rail and
Road) logistics support provider for country’s Export-Import and Domestic
trade and commerce, working under Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India. It
handles the Imports and Exports of the country from 40 dry ports or
terminals spread across India. This case study discusses the problems faced
and solution given by CMC in streamlining their operations.
Highlights –
1. Operations spread across 40 Terminals all over India requiring
sharing of information for Containers, Cargo and Wagon Tracking.
2. The solution comprising a centralized system capturing the online
information from all units using LAN and WAN
3. Result: Availability of online data of all terminals for faster analysis
and on time decision making
4. Reduced the duplication of work and helped in proper planning of the
activities.
The Challenge –
CONCOR required a system to capture the online operation and
commercial data at all the terminals with very complex business processes
and sharing the required data across terminals for advanced planning. For
example; the train with Import containers going from Port Terminal to
Container depot requires the data to be available at the Container depot
before train arrival so that next operation can be planned. Also the analysis
data should be available to Regional office and corporate office for timely
decision. Interface with Customs and Railways and CONCOR’s customers
were also required.
The assignment –
With this background CONCOR entrusted CMC with business mapping,
process re-orientation, development and implementation of a solution
keeping in mind CMC’s success in computerization of their largest terminal
handling 30% of their total operation at Tughlakabad Delhi. The solution
was to cater to the requirements of CONCOR’s Inland Container
Depots(ICD), Container Freight Stations(CFS) and Port side Container
Terminals(PSCT) as well as Regional Offices and Corporate Office.
The analysis –
After Initial discussions with CONCOR it was felt that some business
process re-engineering is required at different terminals to take care of the
varying practices at different terminals.
A centralized system was found to be most appropriate which can work on
their existing VSAT WAN infrastructure and which can cater to all terminals
requirements.
The solution –
The system was developed on a modular architecture so that different
terminals can use the modules as per their requirements. Terminal wise
parameters were made for customization of the application according to a
particular terminal’s requirements. Scalability and flexibility were the other
issues kept in mind while design and development of the system. EDI
interface with Customs were provided and Interface with Railways and
CONCOR’s customers like Shipping Lines were also provided
The implementation –
CMC helped CONCOR in faster implementation of the system at all the
terminals. After initial hassles and new discoveries in the processes at
different terminals where solution was sometimes very tricky, the system
worked well and user acceptance started coming. CMC persons went to all
the terminals for initial training and handholding support to actual field
staff, while a team of dedicated developers at Central site in Delhi took
care of the customization requirements.
The benefits –
After system implementation the tracking of Containers, Cargo and
Wagons has become easy and is possible from any location in India.
Duplicate entries have been eliminated resulting in less no of errors.
CONCOR‘s customers have also benefited with facilities like payment at a
single location, better information and coordination.
The future –
Now CONCOR has more data for planning activities and focus on reducing
time taken to service it’s customer. It can now use it’s scarce resources
like Trains and Containers more efficiently and their improved productivity
has helped improve profitability of operations for CONCOR.
Take Care.