Australia’s border protection service, Border force, has deployed a new automated system to replace the previous manual process supporting air cargo inspections.
Until recently, the process supporting air cargo inspections was entirely manual, but Border Force has now deployed a digitised and streamlined solution, using Microsoft Surface devices, which leverage the department’s current investment in the devices.
Microsoft Technology partner, SMS Management and Technology (SMSMT), assisted in the design of the system with input from Microsoft Consulting Services and Border force officers, to build a fully fledged app, eBorderForce, which runs on the Surface Pros.
“This process was incredibly time consuming for our officers,” says Randall Brugeaud, chief information officer, Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
{loadposition peter}“Our mission is to protect Australia’s border and manage the movement of people and goods across it, so we are continually looking for opportunities to reduce the administrative burdens for our staff."
The Australian Border Force is responsible for checking any air cargo items that are identified as high-risk, with officers visiting mail depots daily to check these items.
And prior to the implementation of the new platform, officers needed to manually manage up to 40 printed forms which required meticulous notes to detail the outcomes of their inspections.
With the manual system, after conducting their checks, officers returned to their office and logged the inspection data again into multiple systems.
“We have one of the most secure agencies in Australia; this is critical given the central role we play in protecting Australia’s borders,” says Anthony Corbitt, assistant secretary for operational capability at the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
“But we’re always looking at how we can improve our systems.”
Corbitt says Border Force leveraged the Microsoft Surface platform to enable officers in the field.
“The devices are light and portable, and they enabled us to connect a range of peripheral devices which supported our officers in completing their tasks in the field."