1.2. Competition Law Guidelines for IATA Industry Meetings Agenda item A2, presented by Marie-Christine Brochu (IATA)

Transcription

1 6 th Simplified Invoicing and Settlement (SIS) General Meeting, 26 September 2017 MEETING MINUTES 1. Administration Items 1.1. Opening of Meeting Agenda item A1, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) Brenda Fullmer (AA) the chair of the SIS Steering Group welcomed participants to the 6th annual SIS General Meeting (GM) and introduced the IATA staff present. She also provided a brief overview of the agenda items to be discussed during the day Competition Law Guidelines for IATA Industry Meetings Agenda item A2, presented by Marie-Christine Brochu (IATA) Marie Christine Brochu (Assistant General Counsel, IATA) briefly reminded participants of the IATA competition law and antitrust guidelines Delegate Introductions Agenda item A3, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) The audience of the 6 th SIS General Meeting consisted of 311 attendees representing 128 companies (as per the morning call at the start of the meeting) Approval of the Minutes from the 5th SIS General Meeting Agenda item A4, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) The 5 th SIS General Meeting (2016) minutes were approved by the assembly after being endorsed by EY and seconded by DL. The minutes are available on the SIS Website. 1

2 2. SIS GM Updates and Reporting items: 2.1. Welcome Presentation Agenda item SR1, presented by Juan Antonio Rodriguez (IATA) Juan Antonio Rodriguez (Director, FDS Operations, IATA) welcomed the attendees to Dublin and to the 6th SIS General Meeting. He continued to give a high-level overview of the reorganization ongoing at IATA and the benefits the new structure will bring to the industry Report from the SIS Steering Group Agenda item SR2, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) Brenda Fullmer (AA) reminded participants the structure of the SIS Steering Group, introduced the current members and presented an overview of their activities since the last SIS General Meeting Industry Economic Performance Update Agenda item SR3, presented by Andrew Matters (IATA) Andrew Matters (Head of Industry Analysis, IATA) provided an update on the industry profitability in the airline business SIS GM5 Action Items Update Agenda item SR4, presented by Adina Minculescu (IATA) During the 5 th SIS GM, 9 agenda items and 1 AOB item were submitted for discussion (7 passed, 1 failed and 2 were withdrawn). All the 7 items which passed were converted into change requests for SIS and were developed and implemented with Release 1.10 in May Adina also provided the link to the list of open CMPs on the SIS website SIS General Update Agenda item SR5, presented by Adina Minculescu (IATA) Adina Minculescu (Head, e-invoicing Services, IATA), started by providing a brief operational update on the SIS solution and continued with a summary of the SOC2/SSAE audit results and distribution of the audit report. She also presented the financial results for operational years 2016 and 2017, the SIS SLA performance report and the results of the SIS user satisfaction survey. 2

3 Regarding the SIS costs for operational year 2017, Adina mentioned that as per the current estimations the result will be a deficit of approximately 600,000 USD which will be recharged to all ISPA signatories in Jul New Gen ISS Updates Agenda item SR6, presented by Kristian Kaspo (IATA) Kristian Kaspo (Manager, Industry Adoption, IATA) provided an overview of the NewGen ISS project and the benefits it entails, for both the Airline and Travel Agent communities. He briefly explained the four integrated program elements and how they will each contribute to deliver a more relevant, secure and customer-centric BSP for both Agents and Airlines New Industry Accounting Rules IFRS 15 Revenue Recognition Standards Agenda item SR7, presented by Thomas Egan (IATA) Thomas Egan (Accounting Technical Expert, IATA) provided guidance on behalf of the Industry Accounting Working Group on handling revenues from contracts with customers, as required under IFRS 15. A delegate from Alaskan Airlines wanted to know whether the lack of future travel in case of a cancellation is the distinguishing element between a cancellation fee and a change fee. Thomas confirmed that indeed, the cancellation fee involves a refund while the change fee is essentially a fee that a passenger is paying to benefit from a flexible fare. Alaskan Airlines asked how the two fees can be differentiated when collected on the same type of document, using the same type of codes in accounting systems. Thomas answered that the Working Group is focused more on the financial reporting of such revenues rather than the operational aspects Supplier to Airlines e-invoicing Updates Supplier Engagement Agenda item SR8, presented by Michael Uebber (LH) Michael Uebber (Senior Director External Accounting, Lufthansa) shared some insights, key learnings and challenges from the experience of the airlines in the LH Group while engaging their suppliers. He closed his presentation with a call for action towards the airlines in attendance to join the co-signed letter and to start engaging their home or hub airport Dublin Airport journey towards SIS Agenda item SR9, presented by Kieran Kirby (DAA Plc) Kieran Kirby (Accounts Receivable Manager, Dublin Airport Authority) shared key insights from the journey DAA followed for implementing SIS and how it improved their processes. He closed 3

4 with a call for action to the airlines and airports present to switch to SIS and help grow the community Data Quality - Miscellaneous Agenda item SR10, presented by Rene Koark (Airpas) and Peter De Ceulaer (EK) Rene Koark (Product Manager, Airpas Aviation) provided some insights on the importance of data quality from the perspective of an IT supplier. Peter De Ceulaer (Finance Manager, EK & Vice Chair of the SIS SG) continued with the key learnings from the airline perspective, sharing the Emirates experience Do you know? SIS Educational Sessions Agenda item SR11, presented by SIS Ops Team (IATA) A series of short videos prepared by the SIS Ops Team presenting new or existing SIS features aimed at improving business processes. The videos are available on our website (scroll down to Videos ) SIS as Automation Enabler Agenda item SR12, presented by Karolina Siwik (LH) Karolina Siwik (Executive Process Manager, Lufthansa Global Business Service) shared a brief overview of the invoice control process within the Lufthansa Global Business Service and the benefits brought by the process automation SIS Customer Satisfaction Survey Key Learnings Agenda item SR13, presented by Iuliana Filiuta (IATA) not presented This presentation highlights the results of the SIS Customer Satisfaction Survey, key learnings and action items arising from the feedback received SIS Solution Update Agenda item SR14, presented by Thierry Cerpolet (IATA) Thierry Cerpolet (Senior Manager Business Solutions and Systems Development, IATA) provided an overview of the browsers supported by the SIS application and raised awareness on the high percentage of users still working with outdated/not supported browsers. He continued to provide details about the system performance in terms of file processing on the new infrastructure and a brief update on the Release Management Process. He also addressed the internet problems we faced earlier this year in terms of connectivity. 4

5 Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) wanted to know whether the SIS Team is reaching out to those members whose files take longer time to process and advise them of a workaround. Thierry advised that the best solution is to send several files rather than a single one SAI Supplier to Airline e-invoicing Project Update Agenda item SR15, presented by Bernard Paul (IATA) Bernard Paul (Head of Projects, IATA) provided an update on the progress of the SAI Initiative: what has been achieved to date, next steps and expectations from the airline and airport community IATA Financial Gateway Agenda item SR16, presented by Amine Boulaghmen (IATA) Amine Boulaghmen (Head, IATA Settlement Services product Portfolio) introduced the IATA Financial Gateway, a global payment solution for airlines and travel suppliers aimed at reducing the complexity of connecting different payment systems and simplifying the process through a single global connection. 5

6 3. SIS Agenda Items 3.1. IS correspondence with multiple attachments Agenda item S1, raised by EK Currently SIS does not allow the submission of several attachments for correspondences at a time, making the process very time consuming. EK proposes that system should allow users to browse and select multiple attachments and save the same in IS Web against a correspondence at one time. Unanimous Vote This item passed and was logged as change request (CMP 718) IS-WEB Correspondence search criteria Agenda item S2, raised by AB Presently in the Correspondence Search Criteria screen, the default search criteria displayed is restricted to a specific scenario that does not allow for a comprehensive search and once users change the search criteria, the selected parameters are not maintained on the screen (i.e. after a correspondence is displayed and the Billing History and Correspondence screen is accessed from the Audit Trail). AB proposes to change the default search criteria to include all correspondences regardless of the initiator and the status and if a custom search is made, the parameters should be maintained when the Billing History and Correspondence screen is accessed from the Audit Trail. After discussing with the SIS Team it was clarified that the search criteria is maintained if the back button of the browser is used instead of accessing the screen again. With this clarification, AB will only submit to a vote the first problem, of the default search criteria. Unanimous Vote This item passed and was logged as change request (CMP 733) Include previous correspondence text when replying to a correspondence Agenda item S3, raised by UL When replying to an existing correspondence in IS-WEB, the previous exchanges are not shown in the reply window forcing the users to work with separate tabs/windows in order to refer to the information received in the previous stages. 6

7 UL proposes that when replying to an existing correspondence, the previous exchanges should be maintained in the reply window similar to the functionality. AF wanted to know the approximate cost of this enhancement. Kirk Pereira (IATA) advised that there are 2 options for handling this change request: 1. Maintain the current functionality, similar to an exchange: considering that there is no restriction on the number of iterations a correspondence can have, exchanges can span over several months. Fetching all exchanges from the audit trail for every reply is likely to affect the system performance. To address the system performance problem the cost of the change request will be high, above 50 days. 2. Insert a Display Audit Trail button in the correspondence reply screen which will open the audit trail of the correspondence: this approach is much simpler and more cost efficient (about half of the cost of the first option). BA pointed out that since the current SIS Steering Group is focusing on reducing cost, as a member of the group BA would recommend the low cost option (Option 2). KQ asked for clarifications on items S3 and S5, whether they are similar. Kirk Pereira (IATA) replied that while they are both related to correspondence, the two change requests are not the same. KQ also wanted to know which of the 2 items is cheaper to implement. Kirk advised that S5 is cheaper, as it only required the addition of a reply button in the Audit Trail of a correspondence. GF asked whether the implementation of this change request would have an impact on the performance. Kirk Pereira (IATA) answered that this depends on the option selected; there could be an impact on performance but the solution chosen would be designed to minimize it. BA pointed out that as a Correspondence user, they consider S5 as the better option. S3 would complicate the Correspondence screen, making it too long. Kirk Pereira (IATA) answered that indeed, the first option of S3 would clog the screen but option 2 won t change anything as the audit trail is not automatically shown (only if the new Audit Trail button is clicked). AA asked whether UL would be comfortable withdrawing S3 if S5 is selected? UL answered to a certain extent, S5 covers their needs and there is no need to proceed with S3 if S5 is selected for implementation. This item was withdrawn as S5 passed Alignment of size field between IS-IDEC and IS-XML file formats Agenda item S4, raised by SIS Ops Currently there are some minor differences in terms of field specifications between the IS-IDEC and the IS-XML standards, causing inconsistencies in values when the input data is received in one format and the output file is generated in the other. The ISC/UATP/OC percentage field in 7

8 the IS-IDEC standard is expected to have 3 decimal places while the corresponding field in the IS-XML standard ( AddOnChargePercentage ) is expected to have only 2 decimal places. When generating IS-XML Output files for transactions received in IS-IDEC format, the system will round the value of the percentage to the nearest decimal but will not recalculate the final amount (i.e. ISC Amount) with the new percentage (with two decimal places); in some instances the difference between the two values is outside of the applicable tolerance causing rejections to fail validation. SIS Ops proposes the field size for the AddOnChargePercentage field for PAX and CGO transactions should be increased in the IS-XML standard to three decimal places. 1 opposing This item passed and was logged as change request (CMP 734) Include a reply button in the correspondence audit trail Agenda item S5, raised by SIS Ops Currently there is no Reply option when viewing the Audit Trail of a correspondence and users have to go back to the Billing History and Correspondence screen to reply. SIS Ops proposes to include a Reply button in the Audit Trail of a correspondence to allow users with the necessary permissions to reply directly from that screen directly without having to go back to the Billing History and Correspondence screen. Unanimous vote This item passed and was logged as change request (CMP 735) SIS Pricing revisions Agenda item S6, presented by SIS SG This agenda item is an information paper presented by Peter De Ceulaer (EK & Vice Chair of the SIS SG) on behalf of the SIS Steering Group. The paper provides details on the increase in unit prices for some transaction types, to ensure alignment between the pricing level and the system resources consumed. This agenda item is already approved by the SIS Steering Group and the new pricing is effective January 1 st SIS Validation Cargo Prime Billing Agenda item SS7, raised by CZ Currently SIS does not validate that the billed weight field is provided for Original AWBs having weight charges, making it more difficult for the billed airline to audit the transaction. 8

9 CZ proposes that a new validation should be introduced to stop any Cargo Original Billings having weight charges from being submitted if the billed weight is not provided. EK asked whether this will be a soft implementation (i.e. warning) for a period of time or the invoices will fail validation immediately. Kirk Pereira (IATA) answered that having a soft implementation would increase the cost of the change as the code has to be duplicated. He suggested postponing the implementation until the industry is ready. DL asked whether the error thrown by the system will be a Correctable Error. Kirk Pereira (IATA) advised that the cost would be higher for a Correctable error. PW raised the question whether the source systems should be corrected as to not generate billing files without the correct information. AC clarified that the field is currently not mandatory as per the record structure therefore it is not hardcoded in many revenue accounting systems. AC supports the implementation of a Correctable error, as it would allow airlines to correct the error online without having to regenerate the entire file. AS indicated that the delegates present in the room do not have the technical expertise to assess what is the impact of this change on their systems therefore AS does not feel comfortable voting on the paper at the moment. 34 in favour, 3 opposed This item passed and was logged as change request (CMP 736). Note: As agreed during the SIS GM, the SIS Ops team sent a communication to the Cargo contacts to gauge the industry readiness to provide the required data in their billing files. 9

10 4. Close of Meeting 4.1. Date and place of next General Meeting Agenda item A5, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) The next WFS will be held during the week of September 2018 in Madrid, Spain Any Other Business Agenda item A6, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) No any other business Vendor Prize Draws Agenda item A Close of Meeting Agenda item A8, presented by Brenda Fullmer (AA & Chair of the SIS SG) Brenda Fullmer (Chair of the SIS SG) thanked the SIS Operations team for their work and the participants for their engagement and participation in the discussions throughout the day. 10