MTMC, MATSON TEST INTEGRATED BOOKING SYSTEM

MTMC, MATSON TEST INTEGRATED BOOKING SYSTEM    The Military Traffic Management Command and Matson Navigation Co., a U.S.-flag carrier, have successfully tested a system designed to speed overseas defense cargo movements by automating the ocean carriers' respond to cargo offers.
   In a test initiated in February by MTMC's Defense Support Command and Matson, the Integrated Booking System reduced cargo booking turnaround times from as much as a day or more to a median carrier response time of one hour and 30 minutes, the MTMC said.
   Overall time to book automated requests, from receipt in the IBS to delivery of a booking number to the customer, dropped from 39 hours to five hours and 45 minutes.
   The MTMC said planned software changes will reduce processing times on IBS by relieving bottlenecks in the automation pipeline and permit simultaneous processing of multiple cargo booking requests to and from ocean carriers used by the military.
   APL has also committed to a pilot test of the IBS system.