We have heard much recently from all sectors of the freight industry how all logistics groups have been trying to cuts overheads and running costs whilst maintaining or improving service levels at a time when revenues are under threat. The container shipping companies in particular have been keen to pare down costs as static box numbers are shared amongst the increased tonnage of vessels available.
Now in a move to achieve both cost reductions and improve the level of customer satisfaction French group CMA CGM has taken its relationship with global computer services giant IBM to a new level. After five years of working together through a joint subsidiary the two companies have today announced a new five year term strategic partnership under which IBM will provide industry-specific expertise in new technologies such as cloud computing and analytics, and support CMA CGM's growth by delivering information technology services that will help the box carrier significantly reduce costs.
The IT teams from the two companies will be merged into a new subsidiary, CMA Systems, which will have an equally represented governance structure and report directly to Jacques R. Saade, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM. |
