FIDI CO N F E RE N C E A DIGITAL FUTURE Heavyweights in the moving and technology industries took to the stage during FIDIs business panel session to debate the challenges and opportunities posed by technology. James Richards reports E We should consider developing platforms that all users in the industry can use, in conjunction with FIDI MARIA TARABANOVA The panel, from left: Gerard Geijtenbeek, Patrick Schwerdtfeger, Maria Tarabanova, Alvaro Stein and Wiebe van Bockel bru Demirel, FIDIs new President, opened the business panel discussion at the FIDI Conference by asking keynote speaker Patrick Schwerdtfeger why technology is now so important. Technology offers competitive advantage for companies who adopt it, at the expense of those who dont, he answered. Gerard Geijtenbeek, of Roldo Rent, agreed that technology was essential in the moving industry to collect and transmit data, and to deliver services faster and more securely for customers. Schwerdtfeger added that the problem in the moving industry has stayed the same. Simply put, the customer wants to know: Wheres my stuff? The difference now is that customers know full well that this technology exists and will expect to be able to use it. Demirel then asked panellists whether the industry was doing enough to invest in technology. Although its not all doom and gloom, said Wiebe van Bockel, of Voerman International Den Haag, I dont see broad engagement with technology. People seem paralysed by the extent of the options, and dont invest. FIDI might be able to help educate companies about this. Maria Tarabanova, of the Mile Unity Foundation and former head of the international department at FIDI Affiliate IWM Moscow, made the point that trends suggest a movement from products to platforms. Uber doesnt own its cars or have goods to store. But companies like this have massive turnovers. We should consider developing platforms that all users in the industry can use, in conjunction with FIDI. Funnily enough, all the industries I come into contact with believe theyre behind the curve, said Schwerdtfeger. Ive observed that, in reality, progress can be made simply by using the functionality of existing software platforms more fully. Demirel then asked about the opportunities that blockchain offers the moving industry. Blockchain is a network technology, and were a network industry, said Alvaro Stein, of Decapack. If we get it up and running, it would allow us to trade with each other directly, without the need for third parties, or RMCs. In my view, the main focus should be on improving our interconnectivity. We could build one main platform. Schwerdtfeger explained that blockchain hadnt yet moved into the mainstream because users need to include competitors in the same blockchain. However, the removals industry is almost tailor-made for using this kind of technology. Demirel speculated that blockchain could be tied in with the FAIM Audit process. Stein suggested that if all the companies in the industry were connected properly, Service Level Agreements could translate into smart contracts on the blockchain, and there would be no need for auditing. According to Stein, we need to have an open mind and ask our IT people whether we can connect with one another. Van Bockel added that this issue required strong leadership to drive the industry forward. Jesse van Sas, Secretary General of FIDI, opened the question and answer session by proposing that the reason the industry has been resistant to new technology is because moving companies know the importance of the human touch. Geijtenbeek replied that, in theory, with more technology, you should have more time for your customer, because youre spending less time filling in forms. In a closing question, the panellists were asked what level of resources FIDI would need to try to build a blockchain. Tarabanova explained that you would need a team of developers, but it wouldnt be very expensive. Schwerdtfeger concluded by suggesting it would cost a fraction of a big data initiative. Its best approached as a joint endeavour, he said. THE PANEL Patrick Schwerdtfeger, Trend Mastery, Inc Gerard Geijtenbeek, Roldo Rent Maria Tarabanova, Mile Unity Foundation Wiebe van Bockel, Voerman International Den Haag Alvaro Stein, Decapack Host: Ebru Demirel, ASYA International Movers, FIDI President W W W. F I D I. O R G FF291JunJul19 pp55 Business panel.indd 55 55 10/05/2019 17:09