Electronic bookings with K+N

GLOBAL forwarder Kuehne + Nagel has introduced an online bookings and quotations service for its air cargo customers.
KN FreightNet, described as a new integrated web application for quotations, booking and tracking services, recognises an ever-increasing trend towards the use of e-commerce solutions in industry, says the Switzerland-based logistics company.
Currently, quotation and booking processes in the airfreight industry are mainly handled via email or telephone.
“Now, with KN FreightNet, Kuehne + Nagel customers can obtain quotes for export and import shipments online within seconds and are able to place their orders directly,” says a statement.
Quotations are based on a few shipment details such as place of origin, final destination, weight and volume.
“Customers receive a clearly structured overview of all-inclusive prices, including fuel and security charges, for the airfreight products KN Express, KN Expert and KN Extend, as well as estimated transit times,” it adds.
“At this point, a booking can be made or the offer, which is valid for 14 days, can be saved.”
It is also possible to save shipment details as templates in the system, making it easy to re-book and compare quotes.
Tracking a shipment is a smooth process with a user-friendly ‘click-to-track’ functionality that gives up-to-date information on the status of all consignments shipped within the last 90 days.
In an initial phase of the project, KN FreightNet has been successfully trialled by selected airfreight customers in Frankfurt and Chicago.
The speed and simplicity of the tool is welcomed by Risto Scherer, shipping coordinator, logistics and safety delegate, for German company Music Distribution Services. “We can easily and independently obtain airfreight quotes. Booking and tracking our shipments now only takes a few clicks. The system is really straightforward,” he says.
Tim Scharwath, K + N’s executive vice-president of air logistics, points out: “We are proud to be a first-mover in our industry and we are committed to making processes as easy as possible for our customers.
“The launch of KN FreightNet not only reflects current market needs, but also the ever-increasing trend towards e-commerce solutions.”
KN FreightNet will be globally available by the end of this year.
Plans to develop the online solution further for seafreight and overland transport are already underway.