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Australian Report On Progress Towards the Paperless Trading GoalsIn APEC¡¦s Blueprint for Action on Electronic Commerce
along the supply chain. Banking on the Internet is a guide for consumers to make use of the latest developments in Internet banking.
Business uptake
General Community
The 1999 Australian Yellow Pages Small Business Index survey reported that, as at February 1999, 82 per cent of small businesses and 99 per cent of medium businesses were using computers. Usage by small businesses was expected to increase to 87 per cent in the following year. Forty eight per cent of small businesses and 82 per cent of medium businesses were connected to the Internet.
Twelve per cent of small businesses and 18 per cent of medium businesses were using e-commerce to sell their products and services. These proportions were expected to increase to 30 per cent and 38 per cent respectively in 2000. A further 36 per cent of small businesses and 41 per cent of medium businesses saw potential to use e-commerce in their business operations.
An example of Australian Government initiatives to promote uptake is the Australian Electronic Business Network discussed under Best Practices for SMEs.
Import/Export and Transport Sector
In those sectors of specific relevance to our paperless trading goals:
• Container terminals: The two major operators in the major Australian ports are capable of handling operational information electronically however they may not have implemented capabilities at all sites. This includes bayplans (close to 100% take up), load/discharge reports (close to 100% take up), import delivery orders (limited capability and low take up) and export receival advice (limited capability and low take up). Also, some container terminal trading partners (eg road and rail carriers) are still submitting paper documents and faxes.
• Shipping Companies: Approximately 75% of shipping companies are using electronic messages for business transactions. The major liner shipping operators are now offering facilities for exporters to make bookings electronically and to obtain electronic Bills of Lading and Waybills. These companies can also issue electronic Import Delivery Orders.
• Freight Forwarders: Approximately 50% of freight forwarders are currently using electronic messaging facilities.
• Customs Brokers: Almost 100% of customs brokers are currently using electronic messaging facilities. This reflects the fact that the Australian Customs Service can handle all cargo declarations and payments of duty electronically.
• Exporters: Approximately 80 % of exporters are currently using electronic messaging facilities.
• Road and Rail Carriers: At this stage only rough indicative figures are available, but they suggest that less than 50% of operators are using electronic messaging. However, over 80% of truck operators are using the electronic vehicle booking systems for booking time slots to deliver and collect containers from port terminals.
• Port Authorities: All ports use electronic mail. Many ports can accept electronic manifest information: Sydney (50%); Melbourne (30%); Fremantle (48% now and 70% in three months time). In addition, Brisbane and Gladstone are using e-forms for a variety of messages between port authorities and their clients, e.g. forwarding instructions, export receival advice, port manifests and requests for berths. Sydney Ports Corporation [next page]