Wiremind Cargo in conversation

CFG: What is Wiremind Cargo currently working on?
NdT: We recently launched our revenue optimization module within our CargoStack suite of products (CGF reported) However, as you know, digital products are never really finished because of growing and changing market requirements. So, we can always keep adding. We are continuing working on revenue optimization, revenue management, pricing, overbooking, and our Skypallet product. The latter is a new CMS on its own, but one that fits into a product suite, so we are working on integrational aspects.

CFG: How was the revenue optimization module received?
NdT: We talked with many airlines regarding our revenue optimization solution, and it looks like we struck the right chord. Our solution is in alignment with what airlines were looking for, and what they were not necessarily seeing in other providers. The good interaction shows that we were right.

CFG: How has 2022 been in comparison to 2021? Are you seeing any slowdown in airline digitalization at all?
NdT: No, no slow down. Last year, we spent more than 50% of our time structuring to lay the foundations for Wiremind Cargo, which was then officially launched in NOV22. 2022 is still a little of that: our current foundation focus is on hiring people for the team. A new person for business development will be starting in a few weeks. This year has been all about our products. We have invested a lot of time on content, talking with existing and potential customers about what we can deliver. It has been a good year so far and we are hoping for more conversions in 2023. We have already signed on two more airlines. There is interest in our Skypallet, CargoStack, and Revenue Optimization tools, and we have joined CargoTech, which now numbers four members.

CFG: How has joining CargoTech tangibly benefitted Wiremind Cargo?
NdT: CargoTech is not simply a club with members. The company heads all meet every 3 months in person to brainstorm and decide on products, make strategic decisions, and establish who does what. We are now closer in terms of the extent of our cooperation, and are mapping out which other current companies might add value to CargoTech.

CFG: Are you also involved in IATA’s Digital Cargo Working Group?
NdT: No, though I have certainly been meaning to look at it. As we are still in the launch phase of Wiremind Cargo, I am missing the time to engage fully – the priority is on Wiremind Cargo at the moment.

CFG: What do you think IATA could to better?
NdT: We see a huge lack of standardization in basic data we use – there are so many aircraft types, and IATA codes, yet also many diversions from these and there seem to be multiple sources. One of the first things we did at CargoTech, was to create excel lists to compare and structure the basic data that we have. Everyone appears to have a different aircraft type listing, for example. There is no one official source. The same holds true for product codes, too.

CFG: What question do you wish I had asked you?
NdT: “What does it mean to build an algorithm using AI?” would have been a good one. When companies tender for business, they frequently ask if whether a digital solution provider works with Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is not a helpful question since AI might not be the right method to solve their problem. AI is not a solution in itself. So, what are the steps to working on a digital project? We have a problem to solve, and yes, we hope that AI can help. However, sometimes it won’t be the right approach. Don’t expect to use Machine Learning when you don’t need to. The focus should be on solving the problem itself. The first step is looking at available data and process steps. You need to be clear on the steps, as well as examine the available data and clean it. Much of the work our data engineers do is spent on cleaning data, first, in order to have reliable raw material for projects. This is then combined with cargo business expertise, resulting in a prioritization of required technology and libraries (technological code elements). Then, when setting up any Machine Learning, it is important to understand and define the metrics. How do I know my Machine Learning is working well? How do I define metrics?

CFG: So, the point is to focus on the problem, and let Wiremind Cargo work on the best method to arrive at the solution! Thank you, Nathanaël de Tarade, for your time.

Wiremind Cargo also issued a press release this week, wherein Air Europa Cargo endorses Wiremind Cargo’s flagship product, SkyPallet, describing it as “easy, intuitive, and customizable.” It deployed SkyPallet earlier this year as a solution to process issues in one of its hubs. Though originally intended to improve flight planning processes in the warehouse and with its Global Handling Agent (GHA), the airline’s commercial teams are also using the tool, since it is useful when defining quotation.

SkyPallet brings resource efficiencies
Air Europa Cargo is convinced that SkyPallet has already brought resource-efficiencies – a point that is proven by a Wiremind Cargo survey, according Nathanaël de Tarade: “Air Europa Cargo can look forward to around an average 4% improvement in its capacity utilization, as a Wiremind Cargo survey of other airlines and freight forwarding companies using SkyPallet, found. We enjoy working together with Air Europa Cargo, as they have come up with ideas to make SkyPallet even easier for operational staff when applying the build-up plan. Our products grow through application and new perspectives, and we gladly adapt and enhance accordingly. The best digital solutions are those that adapt to changing requirements.”

A laudation for Wiremind Cargo
Jordi Piqué echoes the collaboration sentiment: “Wiremind Cargo's flexibility, willingness, and speed in adapting the system to our requirements, is reflected in the carefully crafted solutions it produces. It clearly has the expertise and always puts the customer first – not only when it comes to online user experience, but also offline collaboration. Wiremind Cargo is always on hand when we need it.”

Brigitte Gledhill


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