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Kerala company to develop software for Emirates airline
Friday, 27 September 2002, 19:30 IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IBS Software Services (IBS), a company based in Technopark here, has bagged a contract to develop a new-generation cargo handling system for Mercator, the IT company of the Emirates airline Group.
"The new state-of-the-art cargo system branded Chameleon will be deployed for Emirates Group companies (Emirates airline, DNATA and others), at the Dubai international airport and other overseas locations," IBS chief executive V.K. Mathews said.
"The cost of development of this software would be in excess of $4 million," said Mathews.
The product will also be marketed to third-party airlines and air cargo handling companies worldwide.
Chameleon will be a comprehensive cargo terminal operations system, which will address the business needs of both cargo handling companies and airlines.
The new software brings a new distribution dimension to cargo products and services, as the system will be accessible over the Internet to all players in the logistics chain, such as shippers, consignees, forwarders, ground handling agents, trucking companies and airlines, according to IBS.
Chameleon will enable direct information exchange among carriers, government agencies like customs and municipalities, shippers, consignees, cargo agents and freight forwarders all over the world.
According to Emirates Group's IT director Hugh Pride, Chameleon is a very large project, and a strategically important initiative for DNATA/Emirates to enhance its commercial competitiveness and for Dubai to retain its leadership as the cargo business hub of the Middle East.
"We have had excellent experiences with IBS in the past and we are confident that they will make Chameleon a success. IBS understands the air transportation business and they have technology and people competence," said Pride.
Chameleon is being developed using the latest technology tools and platforms, and will take 100 man-years to complete.
The product will be delivered in different phases, and will be completed by the end of 2003, for implementation by the first quarter of 2004.
"Chameleon is a challenging, yet exciting project for IBS. Our ability to plan and execute large and complex projects to meet quality, cost and schedule requirements will be put to test on this project. We have a very competent and dedicated team working on the project, and it is in our domain of expertise. I have no doubt that it will be a success," said Mathews.
"Chameleon is the first major component in our plans to build an integrated logistics management solution for the air transportation industry. To translate such a vision into reality, we need partners with complementary strengths and we are glad to be working with IBS," said Mercator general manger (business solutions) Steve Iliohan.
Earlier this month IBS had won a prestigious contract from the Department of Customs and Ports, Government of Sharjah, to implement iPort, a complete port management solution, for ports managed by it.
In March IBS had bagged a $1.5 million contract to supply a transportation and logistics solution to Gulf Share, a consortium of oil companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico.
IBS is a software development and support services company, with global headquarters in India, and sales and business development offices in Atlanta (USA), Zurich (Europe), Dubai (Middle East) and Singapore (Asia-Pacific).
IBS had a turnover of 
700 million in the last financial year. It employs about 500 engineers. It was the largest exporter of software from Kerala for the second consecutive year last fiscal.
Source: IANS
700 million in the last financial year. It employs about 500 engineers. It was the largest exporter of software from Kerala for the second consecutive year last fiscal.
Source: IANS