Cloud-based e-booking portal to help Air New Zealand expand cargo bookings around the world
Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today announced Air New Zealand has joined Unisys Cargo Portal Services (CPS) to allow the airline's current and prospective freight forwarder clients to book and track shipments online.
Unisys' CPS is an online portal that enables freight forwarders to interact with multiple carriers via a single website to view availability, make bookings and track shipments as well as other electronic services such as producing IATA electronic Air Waybills (e-AWB) and interacting with customs systems. As one of the world's most popular multi-carrier air cargo online booking portals, CPS will broaden Air New Zealand Cargo's reach to the more than 6,000 forwarders and shippers from 3,750 branch offices of 2,200 companies who are active users of CPS, spanning 330 cities in 105 countries.
Air New Zealand Cargo operates more than 590 international flights per week, serving 32 cities in 18 countries around the globe, using the airline's passenger schedule. It has three dedicated international cargo terminals in New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, as well as a North American hub in Los Angeles, with gateways in Honolulu, Houston, San Francisco and Vancouver. Goods range from high technology and time-sensitive goods to fresh produce and general cargo.
Eric Hutto, senior vice president and president, Enterprise Solutions, Unisys, said, "We understand how important freight management is. In the case of delivering fresh food, fragile pharmaceuticals or valuable items, freight forwarders need to be able to quickly view availability and book shipments with reliable airlines such as Air New Zealand. Unisys Cargo Portal Services will help Air New Zealand expand its global reach by allowing more freight forwarders to choose the airline to deliver such critical cargo and meet their customers' expectations."
Air New Zealand has used the cloud-based Unisys Logistics Management System (LMS) to manage its air cargo business since 2010.
Dheeraj Kohli, vice president and global lead of travel and transportation for Unisys, explained, "As Air New Zealand already uses Unisys LMS, we can leverage the data in the cargo operations system to bring them online quickly. And because they pay on a transaction basis, costs relate directly to value. Both of these benefits are clear examples of how cloud-based services are transforming the air cargo industry."
Unisys has more than 45 years of experience providing advanced, critical IT solutions to the aviation industry. More than 20 percent of the world's air cargo shipments are processed on Unisys solutions. Unisys cargo solutions are used by many of the world's leading carriers, who collaborate via the Unisys Cargo User Group (UCUG). Unisys and UCUG members have worked with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for more than 20 years on initiatives such as e-Freight, Cargo iQ and XML messaging.
About UnisysUnisys is a global information technology company that specializes in providing industry-focused solutions integrated with leading-edge security to clients in the government, financial services and commercial markets. Unisys offerings include security solutions, advanced data analytics, cloud and infrastructure services, application services and application and server software. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.
Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder.
| BLUE BELL, Pa., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ||
A major new campaign to stop people littering aims to change behaviour and to educate people, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Parliamentary Private Secretary Scott Simpson announced today at National’s Bluegreen Forum in Auckland.
“Litter is a risk to New Zealand’s clean green brand and the best solution is where everyone responsibly disposes of their waste. That is why the Government is investing $3 million in a behavioural change campaign, the development of education materials and a national litter survey to help ensure we keep New Zealand beautiful.”
“The environmental harm from litter is not just the aesthetics but the harm plastic, paper and cans can do our waterways, marine environment and to wildlife. There is also the risk to New Zealand’s clean green brand.”
The ‘Do the Right Thing’ initiative will be funded through a grant to Keep New Zealand Beautiful from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund. This is the most generous support the Government has ever given Keep New Zealand Beautiful. The criteria for the fund was changed in 2016 by the Government to included improved litter management. The education component will be run through the Enviroschools organisation and the information campaign aligned with the Packaging Forum.
“Keep New Zealand Beautiful is an iconic kiwi institution and it is fitting in its 50th year we back this trusted name and organisation with the job of getting Kiwis to ‘Do The Right Thing’,” Dr Smith says.
“This funding includes support for national litter survey data. This will enable areas to celebrate being New Zealand’s tidiest kiwis and for those being the worst to be shamed into lifting their game. This data will be used to recognise at the Green Ribbon Awards those groups and communities that best live up to the Keep New Zealand Beautiful ambition.”
For more information on the Waste Minimisation Fund visit http://www.mfe.govt.nz/more/funding/waste-minimisation-fund/about-waste-minimisation-fund
For more information about Keep New Zealand Beautiful visit http://www.knzb.org.nz/
| A Beehive release | February 26, 2017 ||
Ξ Nestlé factory investment in gluten free production opens export opportunities
Trade deficit widens after surge in oil imports
Owen Glenn gifts $2.6 million to Auckland University
Crane nearly quarter-kilometre high about rise in Auckland
Steel Futures February 2017 edition - SCNZ
Air New Zealand Joins Unisys Cargo Portal Services
While you were sleeping: Records before Trump speech
Drug use not the whole worker shortage story - employer
Regions must face challenge of population decline - report
Hyundai launches the new Mighty truck
NZ small business underpin 'rockstar' economy - survey
Major new litter initiative announced
Migrants keen to take their place in Otago
Millennial business travellers will expect the convenience of on-demand travel services in their work lives, the head of Uber for Business has said.
Travis Bogard, global head of Uber Enterprise, said 80% of business travellers are now millennials, who are increasingly using ride haling apps including Uber instead of buying cars because of their price and efficiency.
“What we’ve already seen with the consumerisation of IT is that expectation of personal life translates into your expectation of work and your business experience,” he said.
Speaking at the Business Travel Show in London yesterday, Bogard said technology could also improve visibility, streamline expensing and improve safety.
Ground transport often makes up half of the line items on expense reports but accounts for only 8% of spend, “a disproportionate amount of time” for a small amount of money he said. “On average its about £46 of money and 20 minutes of time to process an expense report. And one in five of those expense reports gets pushed back... Companies need to think how to streamline that process for employees, they need a more streamlined expense reporting process.”
Mobile technologies, like the services Uber provides, can allow travel bills to be paid directly by a company or can send digital receipts directly to expenses systems. “We’ve all but removed that friction and exhaustive process of submitting expenses,” he said.
Mobile apps can also help improve compliance by integrating the travel policy into the booking experience, said Bogard. “At the time of requesting it, it tells [travellers], ‘If you’re going to try and request a black [luxury] car right now, you’re going to have to put it on your personal card, you can’t put it on the business one’. You can actually bring that policy to the point of making the decision, so you’re no longer dealing with this at the back office after the money’s spent.”
As well as improving visibility on spend, Bogard claimed the live data Uber provided could improve security by providing employers with detailed information, such as where their employees are and who is driving them, as opposed to what he called “static” data, such as flight details or hotel bookings.
On the future of driverless cars, however, Bogard said the technology would “take longer than most people believe or talk about today”. “I think the reality is we’re talking a way away from that world of transition, and I think what we want to do with that time period is think about how we’re going to make a graceful transition.”
In the short term, he sees the demand for more drivers and vehicles “well outpacing beyond what self driving will actually be able to deliver”.
| A SupplyManagement release | February 27, 2017 ||
Over the past few years, Dubai has produced some incredible composites innovation, including the world’s first 3-D printed office building, materials for Apple’s new campus roof, passenger-carrying drones and components for the Boeing 777X, among others. By 2020, the region hopes to add another industry-changing innovation: the world’s first rotating skyscraper.
Leading the project is Italian firm Dynamic Architecture, led by architect David Fisher. The skyscraper, aptly named the “Dynamic Tower,” was inspired by Fisher taking in the view from the Olympic Tower in New York City in December 2004. He noticed from a certain spot, he could see the East River and the Hudson River, covering both sides of Manhattan.
“That is when I thought to myself: “Why don’t we rotate the entire floor? That way, everybody can see both the East River and the Hudson River, as well as Saint Patrick’s Cathedral!” Fisher said. He added that his architecture philosophy includes making buildings that “adjust to life.”
The skyscraper will have prefabricated floor units made with a combination of carbon fiber, steel and aluminum. As of now, the idea is for the entire tower to be powered from wind turbines and solar panels. Enough surplus electricity should be produced to power five other similar sized buildings in the vicinity. The turbines would be located between each of the rotating floors. Fisher said that they could generate up to 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. The solar panels are expected to cover the roof and the top of each floor.
| A CompositesManufacturing release | February 27, 2017 ||
Preparing agreement for ANSP to receive space-based ADS-B data to develop cross-regional air traffic management procedures
Airways New Zealand, New Zealand's Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and Aireon LLC announced today that they have signed an agreement in principle to enter into an operational validation trial.
This agreement will pave the way to a formal operational validation agreement allowing for the development of operational concepts for air traffic management in South Pacific airspace and long-range flow management procedures to major New Zealand destinations. These operational concepts will be based on the use of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to leverage the efficiency and safety benefits of a global air traffic surveillance capability.
This agreement comes 20 months after the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Aireon and Airways to execute a benefits analysis for deploying space-based ADS-B in their region. Airways also plans to use Aireon data to determine the best configuration of planned terrestrial-based ADS-B installations, augmented with space-based ADS-B, to ensure the most cost-effective use of the designated infrastructure.
Airways chief executive officer Ed Sims says Airways is excited to be exploring the possibilities of this new capability. "Once we have completed the formal agreement we will, over the next three years, work with Aireon to investigate how satellite-based surveillance could enhance our air traffic management services in the South Pacific airspace.
"We are looking forward to seeing how continuous monitoring via satellite could provide enhanced safety, traffic flow, and efficiency benefits to our customers."
"We are very excited about the developments with Airways," said Don Thoma, chief executive officer, Aireon. "We have worked closely with Airways to determine the possible applicability of space-based ADS-B in the South Pacific." He added, "Airways is known for their strong desire to deliver value to their customers, and we look forward to taking the next step to assess the potential for deployment of space-based ADS-B in their region."
Aireon's system will be operational in 2018, upon completion of the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation. The service will provide ANSPs with global air traffic surveillance and airlines with real-time flight tracking. It is expected to help reduce fuel costs, increase safety, and enable more efficient flight paths.
About Aireon LLC
Aireon is deploying a global, space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system capable of surveilling and tracking ADS-B equipped aircraft around the globe in real-time. The system will be used to provide ADS-B coverage that will span oceanic, polar and remote regions, where current surveillance systems are limited to line-of-site and densely populated areas. Aireon will harness the best of aviation surveillance advancements already underway and extend them globally in order to significantly improve efficiency, expand safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings to aviation stakeholders. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, NAV CANADA, ENAV, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is developing an operational, global, space-based air traffic surveillance system expected to be available by 2018. For more information about Aireon, visit: www.aireon.com.
About Airways New Zealand
Airways is a world-leading commercial Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), and operates in New Zealand as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE).
We look after key aviation infrastructure around New Zealand and manage the more than 1 million traffic movements per year into and around New Zealand's 30 million square kilometres of airspace.
Airways provides air traffic control and engineering training, and has delivered air traffic management, Flight yield revenue management solutions, navigation services and consultancy in more than 65 countries.
For more information about Airways please visit www.airways.co.nz
| AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ||
China’s latest plan to reverse coastal damage is a rest-stop for migrating birds
For a country that has received so much flak for its rate of environmental decline, China really seems to be pulling up its socks—and setting a global precedent while they are at it. The most recent development in the country’s bid for an ecologically-minded future is the Liangang Eco Park, a rest-stop for migrating birds.
Fifty million birds make the journey from the Arctic Circle down to Australia and New Zealand each year. Most intertidal areas along the way in East and South East Asia where the birds might have stopped to feed over the course of their journeys have now been encroached upon by coastal urban development; meaning fewer birds are able to survive the seasonal ordeal, and a large number of species are slowly going extinct. The Liangang Eco Park is set to reverse the damage done.
Landscape architects McGregor Coxall have designed the sanctuary over 60 hectares—over a landfill site in the Liangang area of Tianjin city—and have made provisions for three different water habitats, suited for 50 species of birds. Working in close collaboration with ornithologists Avifauna Research, the architects have made calculated decisions to include relevant site soils, feed sources and vegetation. Water—sourced from rain harvesting and the recycling of water waste—will be moved through the park’s wetlands by renewable energy mechanisms. A 20-hectare forest will surround the wetlands to protect from urban intrusion.
The idea is nothing short of brilliant: besides offering much-needed respite to migratory bird species, it gives the city of Tianjin a new set of lungs, in addition to providing residents with an outdoor recreational space. Two, it brings in tourist revenue—the park is slated to received nothing short of a half-million visitors each year. For this, the architects have designed the Water Pavilion, a high-tech education and research centre, from which visitors can watch the birds through 14 cameras hidden around the sanctuary. Additionally, there will be three observation pods, wetland trails, a cycle circuit and a forest walk.
The park is slated to open in 2018. Here’s hoping we see similar eco parks come up closer home.
! A ArchitecturalDigest release | February 27, 2017 ||
Vesper Marine, an Auckland based manufacturer of innovative marine safety products, has released its revolutionary smartAIS technology. Combined with award-winning, proven Vesper Marine products, smartAIS provides used capabilities – including the world’s first black box AIS transponder with built-in safety alarms – to make boating safer and more enjoyable.
Unlike other manufacturers’ solutions that simply send and receive AIS data, Vesper Marine’s smartAIS goes much further. An active system with smart alarm logic, it proactively alerts boaters of potentially hazardous situations. Putting users in control, smartAIS combines navigation sensor data, and GPS and AIS information, with intelligent alarm management that prioritizes alerts for the most urgent response. While traditional AIS transponders require additional equipment to trigger alarms, Vesper Marine’s smartAIS units continuously calculate crossing situations and generate collision alarms for critical action, alerts the crew of anchor dragging, and activates alarms for immediate man overboard (MOB) retrieval.
The WatchMate XB-8000 smartAIS transponder is the world’s first black-box AIS transponder to incorporate built-in safety alarms to alert boaters of potential collision situations, dragging anchor or man overboard situations. used capabilities include collision prevention alarms; alarm profile management with Closest Point of Approach and Guard zone settings; and Anchor Watch capabilities with Move Anchor Position and Breadcrumbs of past positions of the vessel.
An extensible platform, smartAIS receives used innovative features updated automatically through a smartphone and the Vesper Marine WatchMate App. The smartAIS device includes WiFi connectivity for up to 5 mobile devices anywhere on board, allowing boaters using the WatchMate App to monitor vessel information, manage alarms and much more – right from their device. WatchMate Vision smartAIS has also been upgraded to include MOB labeling and an enhanced user experience on the App. “We are consistently pushing the envelope of the capabilities and uses of AIS technology and our smartAIS device intelligence is miles ahead of any other system,” says Jeff Robbins, CEO, Vesper Marine.
“In addition to used functionality that no other ‘black box’ AIS transponder offers, Vesper Marine keeps expanding the capabilities and benefits to our customers by adding used safety and ease-of-use features. With the launch of smartAIS technology, boaters will be safer and sleep better knowing that our transponders are always on and always watching, silently identifying risk situations and triggering alarms.” The smartAIS Anchor Watch is a unique feature of AIS transponders. It tracks vessel position in relation to the anchor and marks positions over time to determine if the anchor is dragging. The alarm sounds if the boat drags outside a circular zone configured around the set anchor position.
Additionally, on WatchMate Vision, users can set customized alarms for increased wind speed, wind direction change or minimum water depth. Even if a multifunction display or mobile device is powered off or the app is closed, the smartAIS Anchor Watch continues to monitor the situation and sounds the associated alarm when triggered.
The Vesper Marine smartAIS system is always watching for MOB situations. If a crewmember, who is equipped with an AIS MOB device from any manufacturer has fallen overboard, smartAIS will immediately sound its associated alarm and continuously update the individual’s location, bearing and range for easy retrieval. It can also be configured with MOB labelling which associates MOB devices to customizable names so that when an alarm is triggered, the system displays the name of the crewmember for quick and easy recognition. MOB labelling is available on WatchMate Vision.
The smartAIS proactively alerts boaters when there is a potential collision situation. Combining GPS data such as position, course and speed; along with, AIS data and smart alert logic it continually determines safety implications and alerts users using both the associated alarm and mobile devices. It computes the closest point of approach and time until the closest point of approach and has critical alarms to warn of vessels posing a collision risk with information about the approaching vessel.
Updating smartAIS transponders with used features and capabilities is effortless. Whenever there is a used firmware release and a mobile phone is connected to the internet, users will receive a notification on the WatchMate App of the update. Once the smartphone is linked to the transponder, the transponder is automatically updated. All existing WatchMate Vision and WatchMate XB-8000 users will receive the oldest functionality. Upgrades don’t require additional wiring, visits by a marine electronics technician or sending the equipment back to the distributor or manufacturer for upgrades. To make it easy to take advantage of the used smartAIS technology, the WatchMate XB-8000 will include an external alarm and switch for a comprehensive solution, that can be mounted anywhere on board. Alarm and switch kits will be available in March 2017 and will be shipped to all customers purchasing this transponder from today.
Future units will have them included in the transponder package. About Vesper Marine: Based in Auckland, privately held Vesper Marine is a global provider of marine safety products. Committed to rigorous R&D and innovation, the company designs and manufacturers affordable practical electronic solutions that enhance boating safety. www.vespermarine.com
| A BYMrelease | February 2, 2017 ||
Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy has witnessed an agreement in Tehran enabling the resumption of sheep and beef exports to Iran, and witnessed Zespri signalling its willingness to explore the development of the kiwifruit market.
“This is a crucial step for New Zealand meat companies as they look to re-enter the Iranian market," says Mr Guy.
The conclusion of a Meat Arrangement between the Iranian Veterinary Organisation (IVO) and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries provides the conditions for chilled and frozen sheep and beef exports to resume with Iran, the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The agreement was witnessed with Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati during their meeting in Tehran yesterday. The Ministers also discussed an action plan for agricultural cooperation in the year ahead.
Ministers Guy and Hojjati also witnessed the signing of a Statement of Intent between Zespri and Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture acknowledging the potential of the Iranian market as a large fruit consuming and growing country.
"Current import conditions mean that New Zealand is unable to export kiwifruit to Iran. However the letter of intent outlines undertakings to further explore commercial opportunities in Iran."
Iran has well established kiwifruit orchards and supply chains, and operates in a counter seasonal supply window to New Zealand.
"This visit is an important opportunity to strengthen our agricultural relationship, following the signing of an Agricultural Cooperation Arrangement last year.
“Iran has traditionally been an important market for New Zealand agricultural exporters, particularly dairy, and this visit has identified areas in which we can diversify these commercial ties and further technical cooperation."
| A Beehive release | February 27, 2017 ||
Will alert environmentalists, Greens, to renewable value , emissions reduction, organics
Napier advanced agri process technology specialist TEKAM is bringing to New Zealand Peter Franke a world leader in turning agricultural waste into electricity and in the process ridding farms of the effluent which increasingly threatens drinking water.
Mr Franke is the founder of Germany’s Bio Ost which is a leading developer of closed loop systems which collect effluent, notably the dairy version, and convert it into energy for refrigeration and other milking systems, and also for distribution into the national grid.
These closed loop effluent-to-power systems are commonplace in Germany where installers are offered generous subsidies to install them.
The other Baltic nation leading in closed loop effluent-to-power is Denmark.
The Danish government has set a short term target of up to 50% of livestock manure to be made into this green energy supply.
Power derived from biogas and fed into the national grid is exempt from taxation in Denmark.
Mr Franke will advise on the installation and commissioning of on-farm plants and will outline returns to users in terms of energy recovery and in obtaining fertiliser by-products.
He is expected also to talk to local government officials about the value of the plants in reducing runoff contamination threats and also how the plants reduce methane emissions.
Similarly he will outline the benefit in which weed seeds and pathogens are killed during the biomass digestion process, thus lessening the farm need for synthetic herbicides and pesticides.
Ken Evans of TEKAM said that in his New Zealand visit Mr Franke will focus exclusively on discussing the technology and the cost-benefits of the on-farm bio gas installations.
Mr Evans’ TEKAM organisation is working in conjunction with Napier Engineering & Contracting on introducing the effluent-to-energy technology to New Zealand.
He noted that he did not anticipate any discussion of introducing state incentives, subsidies for these plants such as exist in Europe.
Mr Franke instead he said would focus on the practical evidence of his company’s world wide effluent-to-energy installations.
The problem in New Zealand of effluent finding its way into ground water would though be a priority topic, he said.
According to Mr Evans, New Zealand had been an early developer of dairy waste into energy conversion systems. But these early plants along with their associated research and development had been abandoned when the millennialist energy crisis scare failed to materialise.
| From the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Monday 27 February 2017 ||
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242