About Airports Bureau Systems
In November 1991, airlines, handling companies and large agents with approved customs bonded cargo sheds who did not have their own electronic cargo systems at UK Airports used a bureau service provided by British Telecommunications (BT) known as ACP 90. At that time UK Customs decided to develop a large new automated service covering a wide range of customs activities which dictated the need for replacement of ACP 90. It was therefore necessary to provide a replacement service for the cargo handling bureau system provided by BT as part of ACP90.
Airport Bureau Systems Limited (ABS) was established as an agent for twenty companies (airlines, handling companies, agents with bonded premises) to enter into a Software Development Agreement with BT to design, write and implement the ABS.2000 software programme and for ABS Limited to subsequently provide a maintenance and support service.
The Software program based on a distributed network service was completed and installed into live operation in December 1993. Its user base has since extended to other companies engaged in cargo shed operations in the UK and Overseas and the system has been developed significantly since then and the new product is so different to the original that it was renamed ABS2020 in 2004
ABS Limited has fifteen of the original participants as shareholders and a team of ABS staff maintain and support the ABS.2020 system.
Today ABS Limited is the prime provider of air cargo handling software to the UK Handling and Transit Shed operators. Its product, ABS2020 is installed on 4 continents and supported by a professional team of software engineers. The company has evolved from its original intended role as a “collective agent” enabling the development of the ABS system, into a small software house with a successful niche product. The company has three roles: -
- To represent transit sheds as a trade body in the UK
- To provide support, develop and market ABS2020
- To provide and manage an ABS.2020 bureau service
ABS Limited is managed by a Board of Directors drawn from its key shareholders / users together with an independent Industry representative. ABS Limited is a non-profit making organisation that acts on behalf of its shareholders and founder members with annual revenues of approx. £1million.
The Board of Directors.
The Company is managed by a Board that is selected from existing shareholders or founder members. It has a particular structure in that it is split into three industry segments; Transit sheds, airlines & airports, and freight agents. Three Directors are allowed from each of those sectors plus we have one independent Director and the Managing Director of the business.
Current Directors:
- Rob Williams (Aviance UK) - Chairman
- Howard Griffin - Managing Director
- Martin Goodwin - Independent Director
- Guy Thompson (Penauille Servisair) - TSO Director
- David Lynch (Plane Handling) - TSO Director
- Andy Kiernan (Luton Airport) - Airport/Airline Director
- Steven Ruby (Air Canada) - Airport/Airline Director
- Julian Sanchez (Flightcare Spain) - Airport/Airline Director
- Steve Parker (DHL Logistics) - Agent Director
- Steve Koller (Menzies Aviation) - Agent Director
- Mark Francis (Schenkers Logistics) - Agent Director
- David Quinn - Company secretary