The Dubai Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCF) has dramatically simplified and speeded up the import of goods through Dubai's ports with the implementation of IBM's WebSphere MQ technology to link vital computer systems.

"Shipping and clearing agencies are now able to ship goods faster, with less administrative overheads, allowing Dubai to extend its lead as the region's leading trading hub, and confirming it's role as the regional leader in effective, real-world e-government services," a PCF statement said. Prior to the new systems integration, agents had to connect to both departments and submit a separate manifest to meet the requirements of each authority, and any modifications made to the manifest had to be sent to both departments individually. This process was clearly inconvenient and ineffective, increasing the time required for the pre-inspection process and clearance of goods, it explained.

"The major advantage for us was that we did not have to replace the three existing systems with a completely new system: we could simply use IBM's middleware technology to easily and seamlessly link the three core processes. This allowed the solution to be put in place at a minimum cost, with no impact on the service we need to provide," said Juma Alghaith, application development manager, information technology system department, Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

The IBM solution was chosen over two competing solutions after extensive benchmarking by Dubai Ports Authority. The selection of IBM was on the basis of its strong technical capabilities, as well as IBM's ability to provide ongoing support, according to Juma Alghaith.

"It was clear to us that IBM offered us the most robust, scalable and secure solution, and most importantly that it could be deployed with a minimum of disruption to the operation of our business. The bottom line is that we are now delivering a much-enhanced service to our customers by substantially reducing the time required to process transactions, as well as reducing errors due to human intervention. Our operational costs have also been reduced, and we are now very well placed to integrate with other operational systems within each organisation."

A key element in IBM's favour was that it could provide skills transfer to the IT staff that was working on the project. "This aspect of the project was a particular success," continued Juma Alghaith.

According to Bashar Kilani, manager of business transformation & integration software, Middle East and Africa, IBM Corporation. "WebSphere MQ is perfectly suited to a project of this type. Integration of core business processes across different platforms is a task that this middleware technology performs particularly well. WebSphere MQ is an extremely flexible, robust and scalable solution." Following the implementation of the new system, agents now send the manifest to one point, namely the Ports Authority (PA), which sends the validated manifest to Customs electronically. Customs then replies with the delivery order, release notes (customs bill), and hold messages electronically to Ports Authority.

The Ports Authority provides cargo clearance and removal messages electronically to Customs, and uses the received release notes in documentation processing and cargo removals. Cargo clearance and removal messages from the Ports Authority allow Customs to know the exact status of the cargo at Port Rashid as well as at Jebel Ali . This in turn enables them to make timely decisions on inspection, modification and cancellation of release notes when required.

The PCF provides the gateway for all goods shipment by air, land and sea to Dubai. More than 38,000 organisations communicate with the authorities, and more than 2,000 users make use of their IT systems internally. The Dubai Ports and Customs departments each receive more than 800,000 Bills of Lading (BOL) from shipping agents each year.