Computerization of Afrofreight Clearing and Forwarders covering sourcing and installation of a Financial Management System, Development of a Clearing and Forwarding System and Transport Tracking System
The company was one of the leading clearing and forwarding companies in Kenya. The assignment involved review of its information management systems including the linkage with external parties like the port of Mombasa, shipping agents and the Kenya Railway Corporation. Based on the review, an appropriate MIS strategy was designed, and proposed the necessary computerization of the business. The major systems which were recommended for implementation and work undertaken included:
- Recommended implementation of a financial management system – CDC undertook a complete systems analysis and sizing of the systems requirements including development of the FMS specifications. Based on the specs various accounting packages were reviewed and quoatations solicitated based on which we recommended the procurement of ………… We further assisted in the implementation of the software for a period of one year in which we deployed asenior systems analyst and two programmers.
- Recommended the development and installation of a clearing and forwarding software – CDC thus undertook a study of the clearing and forwarding processes in Kenya and internationally. Based on the best practices and in line with the Customs Department operations in Kenya and other parties including Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the KELPHIS, the Shipping Lines and other agents, developed a comprehensive clearing and forwarding software which was Oracle Data Base based. The software was tested by various clearing and forwarding firms in the country and had was approved by customs and Kenya Association of Clearing and Forwarding Companies for installation.
- Recommended development and installation of a transport tracking systems for goods on transshipment to other countries. We developed the required systems analysis but due to funding did not proceed to the level of the development of the software.