An overview of the accounting system is shown.
Shown is a list the supported methods of acquiring AWB data into the accounting system. The supported methods are:
When the system was configured using the "Preferences" menu a choice was made from the above methods of acquiring AWB data.
A discussion of each method of acquiring the AWB data follows.
Direct is when the Airline Cargo Accounting System is able to directly access the Cargo Accounting system database.
If the Airline Cargo Reservation System utilizes a ANSI standard SQL database this configuration is possible.
This configuration is the best possible as the data is automatically available on a real-time basis to the accounting system. This eliminates data input errors.
The manual input method requires that each AWB be re-input into the accounting system. This is time consuming and results in data input errors. We recommend that this method only be utilized if no other method is available to acquire the data.
The user must transpose the information from the AWB by inputting all data into the Accounting System. Following is the panel that allows the user to manually input AWB data into the accounting system
Extended fields are available to input additional or extend information. The extended fields are: "Cargo Handling Information" and additional "Payment/Charge Information".
The panel, shown below, was invoked by selecting the "Total Cost" field and then pressing the "Enter Key". This produces the "Payment Details" panel as show below.
This method eliminates manual inputting the AWB data, but is not a real-time method. The timeliness of the data is dependent on manually copying the AWB data to a magnetic media and transferring it to the accounting system.
The image show below is ExperVision's TypeReaded performing an OCR operation on a AWB.
Scanners are supported that allow single AWB feeding or multiple AWBs placed into a paper magazine.
The Airline Revenue Accounting System supports an external interface that allows normal IATA Cargo Interchange Message Procedures if the Cargo Reservation System is capable of automatically sending these messages.
Since this method relies on computer to computer communication and eliminates manual inputting of the data it is as accurate as the Direct and Magnetic Media methods. Manual input errors are eliminated and the data does not need to be input by the accounting department.