A framework to achieve seamless data interchange of electronic air-waybill in e-freight systems : Case of Kenya air freight sector

Abstract

The study creates a standard framework on what is required to ensure electronic air waybill data transmitted from one system to the other and be able to update all the available e-freight systems. The study does not cover the impact of the integration or development of the integration systems but provides the Framework which can be used later in the development of the system. A major challenge in the air freight sector is seamless data interchange between the e-freight systems. This challenge arises mainly because e-freight system has different message formats, use different protocols and varies in document’s information. The main objective of this research is to develop a framework that will guide the developer in e-freight system development which ensures seamless data interchange. A mixed research design approach was used which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approach .To achieve the aim of the study a variety or research instruments were used namely; questioners, interviews and literature review. It was established that different e-freight system have major difference in terms of the message format transmitted, the protocols used and the way they have been implemented where others are web based, ERP’s and some are in house developed systems. The framework proposed has the following components: system legal requirements, system a converter including message format converter and protocol converters in case the two systems are incompatible. The framework was validated via stakeholder’s interviews and the researcher concluded that the best method of approach is to consider the IATA requirements as well as the researcher proposed framework.