Thanks to a team of around 200 programmers , BDP is not beholden to anybody outside of the business . “ We ’ ve been on an upwards technology curve for the last 15 years ,” says Gary Phelps , Senior Vice President of Global Air Freight .

One important initiative has been SmartVu a tool that integrates all the company ’ s logistical operations around the globe . It can be tailor-made to the format customers require , whether that ’ s by containers , kilos , deliveries or pick-ups . Customers are trained to use the tool by staff in their region , and they can choose how they want this information delivered , whether it ’ s on a dashboard screen or by getting frequent real-time alerts to notify them of what is arriving , when , and of any potential issues .

SmartVu is proprietary to BDP , whereas Phelps explains most competitors use third party systems . “ It works great ,” he says . “ It allows customers who are procuring logistics services from us whether by air , ocean or ground to stay ahead of competitors .”

Last year BDP became a member of Cargo IQ , a consortium of carriers , airlines and other freight forwarders from around the world who help with efficient forecasting for deliveries from door to door .

Three years ago , the company began its Unit Load Device ( ULD ) program , enabling it to build its own pallets to streamline services , so a customer ’ s goods don ’ t get split into separate deliveries , making it possible for delivery times to be up to a day earlier ,

72 October 2017