1. I've heard a lot about online container exchanges lately. What does the IAS Exchange do?
The IAS Exchange enables container owners, operators and transport
service providers to search for and transmit surplus or deficit containers
and container vessel slot capacity to cost effectively source and
reposition equipment. The IAS Exchange completes transactions directly
through a real-time offer/counteroffer process in an online marketplace.
Since the IAS Exchange is a secure, neutral, Web-based marketplace,
it is an appealing alternative to traditional approaches to improving
container utilization such as client-server matchmaking software,
alliances and in-house interchange contacts, which do not provide
a large enough pool of options.
2. How is the IAS Exchange different from other online container exchanges?
The IAS Exchange offers members live exchange opportunities as opposed to hypothetical "matches." Members post their needs and are committed to carry through with acceptable exchanges based on common trading rules. Approximately 80% of container fleet owners/operators are IAS Exchange members. Due to the rapid adoption of the IAS Exchange within the industry, all sides of the container market are represented, ensuring a wide range of exchange opportunities.
3. When will I hear if there's a match for my need? Do postings expire?
The Exchange notifies members via email and their Exchange homepage when matches are posted. Expiration dates on postings are completely user controlled. Users can set an expiration date on opportunities when they are posted; the expiration date can also be updated by the posting member at any time.
4. How do members confirm containers are returned to the correct location?
Members receive a return confirmation and return detail report notifying them of transaction progress and pending obligations. On current and completed activity screens, each transaction is reported in detail to provide users with step-by-step tracking. In this area members see return confirmations and return detail reports that show the return facility.
5. What happens in the event of a dispute with another member?
IAS assists any member that has a dispute with another by providing
all pertinent information to both transaction participants. If disputes
cannot be resolved between members, an arbitration process is recommended.
For more specific information consult the IAS Exchange Rule Book
or contact your IAS marketing
representative.
6. What does it cost to participate in the IAS Exchange?
Exchange fees are determined on a sliding scale based on volume starting at $18.75 per container transacted.
7. What is slotXchange?
The IAS Exchange's slotXchange module is the first online marketplace for vessel slot capacity. slotXchange enables IAS Exchange members and guests, such as container owners and operators, to search (or post their need) for empty vessel slot capacity, or to post containers that they wish to move empty.
8. How do I access slotXchange? Do I need to be a member to participate?
slotXchange can be accessed by IAS Exchange members through the IAS Exchange interface or by logging in as a guest at www.slotXchange.com. Guests do not need to be IAS Exchange members.
9. I'm currently an IAS Exchange member, and I've heard about IAS' new data hub. How do the Exchange and the IAS Hub work together to optimize asset management?
The Exchange will soon be integrated with the IAS Hub. When equipment is interchanged, it will be automatically registered on the IAS Hub. Both partners will be able to monitor the equipment's location in order to track its return to the original owner. Carriers will also be able to use the Hub's business rules engine to pre-define advantageous exchange scenarios. Excess equipment can then be automatically posted to the exchange.
10. How can the global equipment visibility offered by the IAS Hub augment the internal container tracking systems my company currently has in place?
The IAS Hub integrates data from the diverse systems employed by participants in the transport chain: ocean carriers, vendors and consignees. It creates a virtual closed network that allows carriers to automatically track equipment events even when equipment is outside the coverage range of the participant's internal systems.
11. How secure are IAS' systems?
IAS values the integrity and security of its members' data. All IAS servers are secure and protected by high levels of access control as well as physical security. All IAS operational and data functions and systems are backed up on-site and off-site.
12. How can I get more information about IAS' products and services?
The services section of this
Web site contains information about the IAS Exchange and our new
suite of IAS Hub-driven applications. Please contact
us for additional information.
13. What companies are currently IAS members and how can my company join?
The IAS Exchange membership includes over 130 of the world's global shipping lines, regional carriers, intermodal operators and container leasing companies, who collectively control over 80% of the world's container fleet.
