The Role of Digitalization Assignment Sample

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Introduction to The Role of Digitalisation in Enhancing Productivity in Air Cargo Handling Operations

The air cargo sector is no exception to the industries' digitalization across the globe. Change has been a continuing factor as technological change changes operational landscapes and air cargo handling, long the nature of transporting material goods passed from paper-based, manual systems to automated information-based solutions. Beyond operational efficiency, these advancements are essential to improve accuracy, transparency, and speed. This document investigates how digitalization can enhance air cargo handling operations. Based on my own professional experience, and not only as a stack developer but as the Outbound Operations Section Manager at SAL (Saudia Logistics), I hold a leading position in the field of logistics in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region in general, trying to make the Arab region a global logistics hub.

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Organisational Context: SAL and My Role

Saudia Logistics (SAL) is an independent entity set up in December 2019 within the group structure of Saudia Airlines Group, which is being restructured strategically (SAL, 2019). Emerging from the company’s cargo ground handling division, Saudi Airlines Cargo Company is central to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives (SAL, 2019). SAL is a logistics and supply chain service provider that includes air cargo handling, customs clearance, and warehousing. It helps support the Kingdom’s economic diversification and boost its logistics infrastructure.

As the Outbound Operations Section Manager, I ensure that processes for exporting cargo are built, monitored, and optimised. This includes accepting Cargo, processing it, documenting it, and efficiently transferring that Cargo to an Outbound flight. Digital transformation is essential for me in terms of enhancing performance, reducing delays, and meeting customer expectations.

The Role of Digitalization in Air Cargo Handling

Air cargo handling digitalization includes WMS, EDI, CCS, IoT devices, artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), etc (Liu, 2021). They assist in automating the processes, reduce errors involved in human endeavours, and facilitate real-time data sharing amongst the airlines, the ground handlers, the freight forwarders, and the customs authorities.

Air cargo operators thereby gain enhanced visibility, shorter processing times, and better resource allocation by replacing traditional manual workflows of air cargo operations (To Sum Ho et al., 2021). The use of digital technologies in cargo handling further facilitates predictive decision-making, compliancy to compliance checks and seamless data integration. Such high volume and real-time operations require these features as in SAL.

Slack’s 4D Model

Table 1: Slack 4D model

The Role of Digitalization Assignment Sample

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Application of Digital Solutions at SAL

Since the beginning of the year, several digital solutions have been introduced at SAL to enhance outbound operations (Szücs, Arányi and Dávid, 2021). Electronic data interchange (EDI) systems are a key development. EDI allows for the secure and accurate exchange of shipment documentation from/to external stakeholders like customs authorities, freight forwarders, and partner airlines. Moving from paper-based documentation to digital one has reduced processing errors and, perhaps, aided clearance times (de Andres Gonzalez et al., 2021).

Furthermore, the deployment of a warehouse management system (WSM) has facilitated the storage and withdrawal procedure. With real-time tracking, search time and space utilisation have been reduced. Cargo scanning is automated, and all weights and dimensions are recorded without manual intervention for incorporation into the system (Ashok and Ravi, 2024). In particular, it has been extremely useful for controlling temperature-sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals and perishables where an acceptable degree of control is necessary and actions must be taken swiftly.

To support this, real-time operational dashboards are introduced to make managers aware of key performance indicators like processing time, staffing levels, and cargo volumes. Both these dashboards help us make proactive decisions about congestion points and re-utilize resources before delays occur. Having used these tools, I can manage high periods and adhere to strict airline schedules as someone responsible for maintaining outbound flow.

One innovative work is that SAL implemented the digital kiosk system in cargo driver check-ins, which now not only saves time in the manual check-in process but also eliminates congestion and long wait times in the cargo gates (Shi et al., 2024). Digital kiosks allow drivers to check in quickly, which also improves site security, safety, and operational flow. The mere fact of this change has yielded significant time savings as well as enhanced coordination of ground handling teams and freight forwarders.

Productivity Improvements through Digitalization

Digitalization affects the productivity of several operational aspects of SAL. Digital documentation, as well as automatic validation systems, has dramatically decreased the processing times of cargo acceptance (Tan and Sundarakani, 2020). Instead of spending hours verifying paperwork, it only takes teams a few minutes to move shipments. This speed also increases cargo throughput during times of high demand. Another thing to note is that the error rates also lessened due to the minimisation of manual data entries. At every stage, the automated systems validate shipment information, ensuring that there are no inaccurate inputs or misplaced cargo. Such customs clearance is smooth, and it favours customer satisfaction (Moszyk, Deja and Dobrzynski, 2021).

Challenges of Digital Transformation

However, digitalization has its own set of pros and cons. Integrating new systems into old legacy systems can be messy and expensive (Taschner and Charifzadeh, 2023). Another challenge is workforce readiness. New skill sets are needed for a transition to digital tools, and this requires continuous training and support (Taschner and Charifzadeh, 2023).

Recommendations

• Increase System Integration: Spend on strong, cutting-edge middleware solutions to link contemporary, latest digital gadgets with non-upgraded systems seamlessly, keeping operations steady and free of disruptions (Enyoghasi and Badurdeen, 2021).
• Predictive Analytics with AI: Use AI algorithms to observe cargo trends and optimise resource allocation to optimise efficiency and decrease delay.
• Blockchain for Document Security: The use of blockchain technology to provide higher security, transparency, and efficiency of data in the tracking and documentation of shipments.

Increase training programs to encompass advanced digital competencies to enable employees to take full advantage of new technologies (Taruchain-Pozo and Fátima , 2024).

These recommendations will serve as the base for operational improvements and future systemic practices in SAL.

Future Opportunities

SAL is also looking ahead to explore possible applications of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to further enhance cargo handling operations (Sunil Kr. Singh et al., 2022). AI can be used to predict cargo volumes and accordingly adjust resources.

Conclusion

In serving to redefine air cargo handling operations by streamlining, improving visibility, and boosting productivity, it is digitalization. Adopting digital tools like EDI, WMS, real-time dashboards, and IoT sensors has enhanced SAL's processing speed, accuracy, and resource efficiency. Being part of the Outbound Operations Section, I have observed how digital innovation fosters the development of our staff and helps improve service quality. With digital transformation, there are far more significant benefits.

References

• Ashok, A. and Ravi, R. (2024). Optimizing Automated Parcel Sorting in Logistics : Integration of Closed-Loop Overflow Management Systems in Existing sorting machine. [online] DIVA. Available at: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1897620 [Accessed 20 Nov. 2024].
• de Andres Gonzalez, O., Koivisto, H., Mustonen, J.M. and Keinänen-Toivola, M.M. (2021). Digitalization in Just-In-Time Approach as a Sustainable Solution for Maritime Logistics in the Baltic Sea Region. Sustainability, [online] 13(3), p.1173. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/970918.
• Enyoghasi, C. and Badurdeen, F. (2021). Industry 4.0 for sustainable manufacturing: Opportunities at the product, process, and system levels. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, [online] 166, p.105362. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105362.
• Liu, S. (2021). Research on the Application and Development of Digital Supply Chain Using Internet of Things and Big Data Technology. 2021 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Manufacture, 12, pp.2550–2553. doi:https://doi.org/10.1145/3495018.3501137.
• Moszyk, K., Deja, M. and Dobrzynski, M. (2021). Automation of the Road Gate Operations Process at the Container Terminal—A Case Study of DCT Gdańsk SA. Sustainability, 13(11), p.6291. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116291.
• SAL (2019). SAL | About. [online] Sal.sa. Available at: https://sal.sa/about [Accessed 26 Mar. 2025].
• Shi, P., Deng, L., Guo, J., Zou, S., Long, L. and Liu, Y. (2024). Automatic Dimension Measurement for Prestressed Concrete Railway Sleepers: A System Using Line Laser Scanning and Image Feature Extraction. Ssrn.com, [online] 12. doi:https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5056164.
• Sunil Kr. Singh, Sunil Kr Sharma, Singla, D. and Shabeg Singh Gill (2022). Evolving Requirements and Application of SDN and IoT in the Context of Industry 4.0, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. Springer, pp.427–496. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119857921.ch13.
• Szücs, V., Arányi, G. and Dávid, Á. (2021). Introduction of the ARDS—Anti-Ransomware Defense System Model—Based on the Systematic Review of Worldwide Ransomware Attacks. Applied Sciences, 11(13), p.6070. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136070.
• Tan, W.K.A. and Sundarakani, B. (2020). Assessing Blockchain Technology application for freight booking business: a case study from Technology Acceptance Model perspective. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, 14(1), pp.202–223. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-04-2020-0018.
• Taruchain-Pozo, L.F. and Fátima , A.-C. (2024). Digital Competency Enhancement in Personnel Training and Development: A Literature Review of Current Trends and Challenges. Lecture notes in networks and systems, pp.144–154. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63437-6_12.
• Taschner, A. and Charifzadeh, M. (2023). Digitalization and Supply Chain Accounting. Springer eBooks, 6, pp.281–324. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-41300-2_9.
• To Sum Ho, G., Ming Tang, Y., Kun Yat Tsang, K., Tang, V. and Ying Chau, K. (2021). A Blockchain-Based System to Enhance Aircraft Parts Traceability and Trackability for Inventory Management. Expert Systems with Applications, 179(115101), p.115101. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2021.115101.