The implementation of eCMR in Spain: a matter of trust, collaboration and change management

The presentation of the study “Degree of implementation of eCMR in Spain. Challenges and benefits of document digitization in freight transport” has revealed very relevant data on the digitization of document management in transport.

During the round table discussion “eCMR under scrutiny: real experiences of shippers and carriers”, the different aspects that make eCMR an essential solution in the process of digital transformation of transport were highlighted.

Although different demands were put on the table, such as standardization of regulations, interoperability between systems and leadership on the part of the shipper, the main conclusion was that, with trust, collaboration and good change management, the main barriers to eCMR are overcome.

Óscar López, CEO of FIELDEAS: “Although there is no regulation that makes eCMR mandatory, there is a regulation that makes it possible”.

What is needed for widespread eCMR implementation?

As we have already mentioned, during the round table discussion, a series of requests were made by the different players in the sector in order to make the decision to implement eCMR with conviction.

Interoperability

One of the main points discussed was the lack of interoperability of the systems. For the different agents, especially logistics operators and carriers, this point is of particular relevance.

As Juan Ramón Serrano, general manager of ROR Operador Logístico, and Mercedes Sánchez, head of operations at Grupo Logístico Santos, commented, the lack of standardization forces drivers to work and upload data to various applications, which is detrimental to the driver’s day-to-day work.

In this regard, Óscar López, CEO of FIELDEAS, pointed out that instead of waiting for standardization, a scenario that is “very difficult to achieve”, the important thing is to focus on change management, since eCMR has full legal guarantees and the technology is available to implement it.

Juan Ramón Serrano, general manager of ROR Operador Logístico: “We still like physical paper too much, especially for our customers”.

Collaboration

Another of the sector’s main demands is collaboration between the different agents in the sector.

During the round table, the speakers explained that while some customers are committed to digitalization, others are still committed to the use of paper and that, in fact, not using it is a penalty.

Therefore, in addition to urging the shipper to lead the implementation of eCMR, the entire industry is calling for collaboration in order to achieve the network effect that eCMR needs.

Change management

On the other hand, closely related to this concept of collaboration, the term “change management” came up repeatedly at the discussion table.

As Óscar López explained, despite the multiple benefits of eCMR, its implementation is a long process.

“It is important to align all stakeholders with the business to make the implementation of this solution successful,” he said, and urged to shift the focus from the effort involved in adopting this solution to measuring the return it has.

“It is the solution with the most obvious ROI and, moreover, it is essential to meet the Sustainable Development Goals,” he detailed.

Mercedes Sánchez, Operations Manager of Grupo Logístico Santos: “The implementation deadlines and what the eCMR will cover is what has us at a standstill”.

Data protection

Another major concern for the industry is data protection when using electronic documentation instead of paper.

In this sense, the CEO of FIELDEAS assured that the environment is completely controlled and able to protect the data that, on the other hand, was previously reflected in a paper that everyone could have access to or could easily be lost or broken.

In addition, both the study and the round table discussed the battery of regulations that support the eCMR and require the use of advanced electronic signatures for electronic documents to be valid.

eCMR success story

This round table discussion was attended by a company that decided two years ago to implement eCMR.

It is Lesaffre, manufacturer and shipper. For this company, the objective was clear: to digitize transport documentation.

As Ignacio Adiego, head of logistics at Lesaffre, explained, “the key is to make a strong commitment to it” although, he warned, “it is not easy”.

In line with the comments on change management, Adiego explained that the most difficult part of the implementation was to align all parties, through a training and awareness-raising exercise, where help is more important than demands.

He also listed the various benefits that eCMR is already bringing to the company (efficiency, cost savings, etc.), but highlighted one in particular: data generation.

The digitization of document management generates a lot of data, which is then used to improve customer satisfaction.

“The customer doesn’t just want you to confirm when you’re going to deliver the goods, they want you to offer them real-time information; they want you to offer them added value,” he explained.

Ignacio Adiego, Head of Logistics at Lesaffre: “eCMR must be seen as a major change; as a revolution”.

Public-private partnership for the digitization of the consignment note

Undoubtedly, one of the main demands of the sector is that the Administration gets involved and helps in the path of the digital transformation of the sector.

In this sense, the institutional closing of the event for the presentation of the study “Degree of Implementation of eCMR in Spain” was given by Roser Obrer, Director General of Road and Rail Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.

During his speech, he highlighted the importance of digitizing document management in transportation. “For a long time paper has held the data, but with the increase in players and operators, we all understand that digitization is the only way,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that this digital transformation is not simple and that, in fact, “complexity, uncertainty and change management have meant that the progress of eCMR has been moderate”, although he assured that “its implementation is essential”.

In this sense, Obrer advocated that “companies and administrations should go hand in hand”.

I Study on eCMR in Spain

FIELDEAS and the Spanish Logistics Center (CEL), in collaboration with associations such as ASTIC, International Road Transport Association; Transprime Spanish Shipper’s Council; ESC, European Shippers’ Council; and GSA, Global Shippers’ Alliance, have prepared this study with the aim of providing data on the situation of eCMR in Spain, understood as an umbrella concept for the digitization of transport documentation.

Some of the most relevant data from the study are:

• Only 6% of the companies surveyed have implemented eCMR.
• More than 80% of the companies that do not have this solution intend to implement it in the future, and more than 56% in the short term.
• 42.73% of companies without this solution recognize that the electronic transport document would solve problems that currently occur with the traditional eCMR.
• 60.91% of companies are waiting for eCMR to become mandatory before implementing it.
• Change management, associated costs, data security and management, regulatory uncertainty, lack of information, lack of integration between systems and lack of leadership and collaboration are the main stoppers of eCMR in Spain .
• In terms of drivers, the most important are compliance with sustainability objectives, regulatory changes and greater awareness in the industry.
• The study reveals that eCMR is cost-effective, as it requires a medium investment and has an ROI of two to four years.

Ramón García, CEO of CEL: “We live in the age of information and connection; it’s digitalize or die”.