Container terminal operator Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) successfully extended the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) link service to clients Uniglory Marine Corporation (UGMC) and Wan Hai Lines Ltd. (Wan Hai). The EDI extension will connect HIT's billing system with the payment processing system of UGMC's local agent Evergreen Star Hong Kong Limited (EGH), and Wan Hai's head office in Taipei, and will enable both parties to enjoy a substantial improvement in accuracy, productivity and efficiency of the whole invoice processing cycle.

HIT Managing Director Mr Eric Ip said, "I am pleased to see that our customers welcome the EDI Invoicing-Payment service. Customer service is what we are focusing on right now. Through initiatives like this we hope to assist shipping lines to meet the new challenges presented to the shipping industry, a major one of which is to be more efficient and effective in operations."

The EDI link for invoicing was introduced in August when the service was successfully established with Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Limited, via its local agent EGH. UGMC and Wan Hai are the second batch of customers to benefit from the technology. Through the EDI Link, invoices and detailed transaction records will be sent directly to EGH and Wan Hai's computer system via a direct interface. Manual data entries and verifications will be substantially automated, hence improving accuracy and efficiency of payment processing workflow.

"We at HIT always keep abreast of the latest technological developments in order to provide value-added services to the world's carriers. We treasure long-term relationship with our customers and we are prepared to walk an extra mile," Mr Ip added.

Following the launch of Hong Kong's first Barge Identity Card System and the recent Mobile Terminal Message Service, the introduction of the EDI Link is just another example of the commitments and leadership of HIT in applying advanced information technology to improve its core business of terminal operations.