Part 1 - CHAMP Chief Raises Heavy Reproaches Against CFG

Last week, we exclusively reported that Cargolux decided to re-insource many of the IT services so far provided by CHAMP Cargosytems. Our article has triggered a tremendous response.

Among the reactions was a call from a CHAMP manager objecting to what he sees as “some misleading contents” in our report that needed clarification. Consequently, we offered both SITA, CHAMP’s majority shareholder, and the CHAMP management the opportunity to deliver statements, explaining their view. These we would publish in full, we assured, regardless of the contents.
Unfortunately, this offer was turned down by SITA and CHAMP, as they told us two days later.
In contrast, CHAMP CEO Arnaud Lambert used his in-house channel “NEWS” to comment on our article and explain his position (documented below). There he accused our publication of delivering “wrong facts and misleading information, including changing the context of what Cargolux has shared with them.”
These allegations we consider as being of defamatory character. They are baffling, to put it mildly.
Therefore, we decided to publish the relevant documents, enabling readers to form their own view.  
At this point, we would like to emphasize that we feel committed to investigative, fact-based, and truthful reporting. Our intention is to promote a better understanding of the air cargo industry and not to harm any company or individual through our publication.
However, if we are deliberately accused of spreading misinformation we respond with the means at our disposal.
The following three documents displayed here should evidence who plays foul and who does not.

Voila, here we go!

Heiner Siegmund

Author:  CEO Arnaud Lambert

CHAMP in the press - CEO’s office
Dear Colleagues
It is not my habit to comment on what is in the press, but when it is false and damaging for CHAMP I can’t remain silent.
You might have read the article at https://www.cargoforwarder.eu/2018/12/01/exclusive-cargolux-bids-champ-farewell/
Like you, I have no issue for journalists to have their own opinion but at least they should, as professionals, ensure the veracity of their facts and ensure completeness of their information.
In this case the article is paved with wrong facts and misleading information, including changing the context of what Cargolux has shared with them.

Dear Heiner,
Thank you for sharing the article.
Please see below some info from our side.

In 2004, Cargolux split its IT division into a separate legal entity called Champ Cargosystems. At the time, this was a global trend to better identify and manage IT costs and spending. In addition, it enabled the company to optimize and continuously improve IT services by leveraging the IT expertise of a specialist IT service provider. Outsourcing IT was not uncommon at this time.

In light of the changes in the logistics and aviation industry, and the resulting demands of our business, Cargolux is revising and adapting its IT architecture and IT operations strategy.
To achieve this, we want to leverage more standardized IT services and specialized IT service providers, such as Champ for cargo management and IT cloud services for basic IT.
By doing this, Cargolux not only improves every functional element but also the cost base for these services. In addition, Cargolux can focus on differentiating elements of the core business, which are developed in-house. For example, providing APIs to our customers to enable digital interaction with them.

The transition has begun and will be implemented over the next few years. During this phase, some of Champ's services will be discontinued during 2019. However, with Champ Cargospot for cargo management, Champ will continue to provide a significant Cargolux IT service.

Best regards
Moa

Transition has begun
… the carrier has decided to undertake a radical reassessment of CHAMP’s holistic Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, provided to Cargolux for inventory reasons, sales support, maintenance management, marketing aspects, human resources or financial transparency, facilitating transactions in real-time. In other words, all these key ERP tools based on CHAMP technology are currently scrutinized and replaced by others in the months ahead.
This is confirmed by CV’s head of communications Moa Sigurdardottir to CargoForwarder Global. In light of the changes in the logistics and aviation industry, and the resulting demands of her airline’s business, “Cargolux is revising and adapting its IT architecture and IT operations strategy,” she states.
To achieve this, “we want to leverage more standardized IT services and specialized IT service providers, such as CHAMP for cargo management and IT cloud services for basic IT.”
Ms Sigurdardottir went on to say: “Cargolux not only improves every functional element but also the cost base for these services. In addition, Cargolux can focus on differentiating elements of the core business, which are developed inhouse.”
For example, “providing APIs to our customers to enable digital interaction with them.”
According to her, the transition has begun and will be implemented step by step. “During this phase, some of CHAMP’s services will be discontinued during 2019,” Ms Sigurdardottir announces. She emphasizes however, that CHAMP’s core product Cargospot for cargo management “will continue to provide a significant Cargolux IT service.”
Addendum: Sentences written in bold for easier comparison with Cargolux’s input.

Final remark:
It would be desirable if CHAMP CEO Mr Lambert could specify which “wrong facts and misleading information,” our report of last week contains.
In regard to his insinuation that we “changed the context of what Cargolux has shared with us,” we expect his apology.

For further insights pls read: CHAMP Keeps Losing Ground

Heiner Siegmund