New freight customs app to streamline UK shipments post-Brexit
-- internship project --
New freight customs app to streamline UK shipments post-Brexit
Background
Syselek, based in Warwickshire, develops tailored digital technologies which support the freight and logistics sector. The UK’s international freight is forecast to double over the next twenty-five years, but following the UK's exit from the EU, customs controls on goods passing through UK ports has changed. Additional processes and potential additional journeys introduce negative economic, environmental, and social impacts. As a result, HM Government has a long-term ambition to fully digitalise the UK customs border.
Challenge
SysElek received funding from Department for Transport to investigate a mobile digital solution that could enhance and streamline customs management processes, and would be beneficial to freight sector businesses, customs authorities, end customers, and the public. The aim was to bring together customs declaration information with freight movement tracking, enabling customs clearance without the need for additional processes and potential journeys.
The Freight-Secure app was designed for use by both freight operators and customs authorities, alongside existing tracking hardware and digital customs seals. This allows freight operators to monitor shipments, and see the customs clearance status in real-time, while also allowing customs authorities to review customs declarations alongside tracked shipment movement information. However, in an evolving customs environment subject to political change, SysElek needed rapid app development to reach market quickly.
Solution
SysElek approached WMG knowing their expertise and experience could support them quickly and efficiently. After initial talks, Lee-Rose Jordan, Project Manager at WMG, decided that the WMG SME Internship Programme would be the best support option.
Bianca Agapito, MSc Engineering student at the University of Warwick, was successfully chosen for the internship and began working on further development of the Freight-Secure app.
With Lee-Rose’s support, Bianca built upon existing design and functionality of the mobile app and cloud-based database, including an enhanced link with HMRC’s new customs declarations systems. She was able to quickly learn how to use the Android Studio software and improve Freight-Secure’s graphical user interface design and functionality.
Impact
- Bianca was able to develop and test a user-friendly, fully functional mobile app graphical user interface within 8-weeks.
- The Freight-Secure app now offers the potential to significantly improve freight customs management through UK ports, with enhanced freight traceability and security, and the opportunity to save up to at least two hours per shipment.
- By avoiding additional processes and potential journeys, the improved freight customs management approach also avoids the negative economic, environmental, and social impacts, bringing benefits to sector stakeholders and the public alike.
Bianca Agapito, WMG intern, said: “I really enjoyed this experience and learned a lot with the support of both WMG and SysElek. It was tremendously satisfying to see the results of the project materialise in the Freight-Secure app.”
Arabia Garrido, Electronics Engineer at SysElek, commented: “WMG provided great support in identifying the right candidates, and interaction during the project. The program officer and university supervisor were always very helpful. We are looking forward to working with WMG again.”
Lee-Rose Jordan, Project Engineer at WMG added: “Bianca delivered an app in just eight weeks, as well as learning a new software application and working on other projects such as Warwick Moto. This project, once fully implemented, will hopefully revolutionise the freight customs journey.”