Felix Keck is tall and smart and looks in shape; he possesses a kind face that breaks into a smile that feels instinctual no matter what he is talking about.
     His appearance and manner seem to go against the accepted profile of a computer geek—insular and bright, glued to a key board and always in search of the next big program breakthrough.
     But as CEO of Frankfurt-based TRAXON, where he operates from an ultra modern office complex with windows that overlook both a small, peaceful forest and the main runways at Frankfurt Airport offering constant take off and landings, Felix Keck commands one of the more varied and powerful air cargo IT systems in the world today.
     Although Felix lauds almost everything about air cargo, he admits that when it comes to mandated cargo security disciplines coming down from lawmakers around the globe and the move toward paperless cargo and e-freight, many people will usually wait until the last minute before moving toward compliance.
     Whether the waiting is due to procrastination, or for the other shoe to drop, or just human nature is left up in the air.
     TRAXON began in 1991, when Air France, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines launched a global communications system with the aim of facilitating the exchange of information between airlines and cargo agents.
     The result was – for the Western Hemisphere – “Global Logistics System Europe Company for Cargo Information Services GmbH,” operating under the trademark TRAXON.
     TRAXON India and Global Logistics System Asia Pacific complement the group.
     TRAXON Europe headquarters are located in Frankfurt am Main, with an additional office in Paris. TRAXON India –a joint venture of TRAXON Europe with an Indian partner – has its headquarters in New Delhi, with offices in Bombay, Bangalore, Calcutta and Chennai. Global Logistics System Asia Pacific has headquarters in Hong Kong, with additional offices in Seoul and Tokyo.
     Today, the TRAXON network links partners around the globe.
     More than 90 airlines and 3,000 forwarders with approximately 9,000 offices are currently connected to the TRAXON network.
     But to Felix Keck, who moved over from Lufthansa, the TRAXON mantra is straightforward.
     This is one company in the right place at the most opportune time, as he declares:
     “The industry is well on its way to paperless airfreight communication.
     “The key to success is to focus on the e-process.
     “This year, 2010, has been a good year.
     “We will increase our messages from 144 million last year to 157 million by year’s end, up 9 percent as one performance indicator of how we are doing.

  

     “Looking back a few weeks ago, we are stunned (in retrospect) at the shear amount of new products we launched in 2010.
     “In fact, we cannot recall another year where TRAXON brought so many products to market.
     “The TRAXON new product surge began with eCargo Pouch, which was announced last January.
     “Next, we knew that European import customs filing was coming, so we launched our customs product and currently have 15 airlines utilizing our solution.
     “But our reach goes even further, as TRAXON has launched solutions for Nigeria Customs and South African Customs in 2010 as well.
     “TRAXON also debuted ‘Air Waybill Data Capture’ in 2010, which gives forwarders a web-based opportunity to send data to our system that in turn allows airlines to rapidly access and act upon the data.
     “While these products are new and innovative, each one is building audience every day.
     “For example, eCargo Pouch acts as a tool for e-freight that has varying and different deadlines depending upon who you are talking to.
     “But I think adding lack of consequences to vague deadlines has been a real deal breaker for implementing widespread air cargo e-freight.
     “Also, the varying systems have caused some confusion.
     “What we have done at great effort has been to forge a single platform agreement between the systems of TRAXON Europe, Cargonaut (Netherlands) and Cargo Community Network Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.
     “Our agreement to join hands and align one product globally offers air cargo one system for Asia, Europe, Africa and America.
     “It also allows us to share costs and advance technologies together while developing a single application that is easily accessible by everyone in transportation.
     “What we have done is offer a global solution instead of a local one and we think that is a key solution to moving e-freight forward.
     “When you look at it, there are not that many systems offering e-freight.
     “The challenge is that e-commerce systems are either local or attached to one carrier.
     “We are hopeful that our offer is regarded as a viable industry solution to move e-freight into wide spread global usage.
     “The ongoing challenge is the divided nature of a business that moves cargo between airline, forwarder, shipper, consignee, warehousing and trucking.
     “But now everybody, no matter what IT they may feature, can utilize our system to get on the same page.
     “Here is how it works:
“Normally, as soon as he books a shipment, a forwarder can open an electronic pouch, adding whatever documents that need to be connected to the shipment (declaration, invoice, etc.).
     “The forwarder then gets an authorization code that can be made available to any other party the forwarder chooses, thus enabling partners to access the information they need.
     “The big challenge to all of this is the ongoing question of who pays for the service.
     “The forwarder greatly benefits, avoiding manual input problems, fax or mailing costs and everything else connected to paper.
     “There might be ten pieces of paper, three faxes and other costs for just one shipment.
          All of this increases costs and decreases efficiencies.
“TRAXON believes it is time to go 100 percent electronic, because in the long run efficiencies improve and costs come down, driving profits up.
     “When I think about it, during 2010 e-freight may have been a bit overshadowed by Import Control Systems (ICS) mandated January 1, 2011 by European Customs, but we are hopeful next year that will change.”
     We asked Felix Keck if right now he might be feeling a bit of frustration after having made major investments in advanced IT, expanding that effort to international cooperation with others to deliver services that work globally.
     He thought a moment and offered:
     “Sure, we have felt the impact of our product development moving slowly as e-freight struggles to take hold, but then there have been other opportunities that have come to the front, including the recent surge in interest and activity as ICS takes hold.
     “So while we have felt some frustration about the pace of implementation of e-freight, we have had real joy seeing the interest in TRAXON as European ICS takes hold.
     “Maybe it would be too much joy to have both at the same time,” Felix laughs.
     Felix Keck came to air cargo IT from the ocean shipping business, where he worked as nautical officer for Shell Cyprus.
     Later, he began his airline career at Lufthansa Cargo where, among other things, he oversaw the fortunes of the Boston USA cargo business.
     He recalls operating Lufthansa Cargo from an old Pan Am Clipper Cargo shed at Logan Airport.
     “We had a huge Clipper Cargo illuminated sign on our Boston acceptance and pick up building that was so big and bright, most people—truckers and such—looking for our operation could not see the smaller Lufthansa Cargo sign.
     “I learned there is an entrepreneurial can do spirit about the air cargo business that I find quite appealing..
     “When all attempts to disconnect the old PAA sign failed with the airport, we just unplugged it ourselves.”
     Felix Keck joined TRAXON in 2004 and has never looked back or regretted one minute of it.
     “I may have the best job.
     “I get to work every day with a microcosm of the world’s population. Here at TRAXON we have 17 nationalities among our 30 staff members and we are involved in bringing change for the better to an entire industry.”
     We asked Felix Keck what surprised him in 2010.
     “I have been impressed by the number of products that TRAXON developed and brought to market this past year; by this compact, dedicated team of sales and technical experts that we have here in Frankfurt; and that we were able to create and implement these programs on top of the increase of business this year.
     “Everyone knew that European ICS was coming January 1, 2011, but now we are faced with a year end surge for our services as more and more companies request the TRAXON solution.
     “So everyone waiting until the last minute, while challenging, is also most welcome business for us.
     ”People know that TRAXON can deliver its promise of a customs solution to all countries that demand advance filing from one provider.
     “TRAXON offers ICS implementation, support and best quality—the complete package.
     “We are still in talks with airlines that have yet to settle upon an IT solution for European ICS.
     “Looking ahead a few weeks, what that means is that some key members of our team will be spending their Christmas vacations right here in the office.
     “Our team is ready and we expect to be at it here even between the Christmas and New Year, a period that is normally quite a slow time.”
     So after potentially a “December to Remember,” we wonder: what is next?
     “For 2011 we will go deeper into studying our customer processes so that all of our products work even better and so we evaluate areas to develop new ones.
     “For us, that activity is actually happening all the time.
     “TRAXON conducts workshops and does all manner of product development as a result of customer visits and ongoing dialogue.”
Geoffrey/Flossie

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35th Anniversary Issue

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