Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is a multi-modal (rail and road) logistics support provider for the country's exim and domestic trade and commerce, working under the ministry of railways, government 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

	Operations spread across 40 terminals all over India requiring sharing of information for containers, cargo and wagon tracking.
	The solution comprising a centralised system capturing the online information from all units using LAN and WAN.
	This resulted in availability of online data of all terminals for faster analysis and on time decision making.
	Reduced the duplication of work and helped in proper planning of activities.

The problem / 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 the next operation can be planned. Also the analysis data should be available to the regional and corporate offices for timely decisions. Interface with the customs and railways and CONCOR's customers were also required.

The assignment
With this background CONCOR asked CMC for a solution keeping in mind CMC's success in the computerisation of their largest terminal handling 30 per cent of their total operations at Tughlakabad, Delhi. The solution should cater to the requirements of CONCOR's Inland Container Depots(ICD), Container Freight Stations(CFS) and Port Side Container Terminals(PSCT), as well as those of the regional and corporate offices.

The analysis
After initial discussions with CONCOR it was felt that some business process re-engineering was required at different terminals to take care of the varying practices at different terminals. A centralised system was found to be most appropriate. It would work on their existing VSAT WAN infrastructure and would cater to all terminal 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 the customisation of the application according to a particular terminal's requirements. Scalability and flexibility were the other issues kept in mind while designing and developing of the system. EDI interface with customs was provided and interface with railways and CONCOR's customers like shipping lines was also provided.

The implementation
CMC helped CONCOR in the faster implementation of the system at all the terminals. After initial hassles and new discoveries in the processes at different terminals whose solution was sometimes very tricky, the system worked well and user acceptance started coming. CMC personnel went to all the terminals for initial training and handholding support for field staff, while a team of dedicated developers at a central site in Delhi took care of the customisation 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 fewer errors. CONCOR 's customers have also benefited from the payment at a single location, better information and coordination.

The future
Now CONCOR has more data with which to plan its activities and focus on reducing time taken to service its customers. It can now use its scarce resources like trains and containers more efficiently.