ÖBB Rail Cargo Group has launched a new tool to access its newly established ‘digital world’. It is called SmartLINK and the system is already live. The tool provides access to available services and also offers a clear overview of all combinable elements required for rail freight transport.

“We have structured our extensive range of services clearly and made them easy to navigate. SmartLINK isn’t just a tool to display our services; it is a fundamental first step towards providing simple, engaging access to the railway system”, says ÖBB RCG’s Board Chairman Clemens Först.

SmartLINK and MIKE features

As an entry tool into the digital world of rail logistics, SmartLINK guides customers through four areas: customers choose from scheduled or individual TransFER connections. They access information about the equipment available as well as about the services and add-ons relevant to them. The customer journey then ends with contact to customer advisers, who work with customers to create specific offers.

In addition, the company now offers a digital assistant called MIKE. This will be rolled out gradually over the next few months. The tracking application within MIKE shows shipment locations. By means of the ordering function, MIKE supports the ordering of empty wagons and the capacity planning function enables key customers to directly ascertain wagon requirements via specific production capacity planning.

Simplicity

The Austria-based rail freight operator has been going through a digitalisation effort for a while, and wants to convey that rail freight can be simpler than many people think. This is exhibited by the design of the tool.

“The design is intended to convey the concept of greater simplicity in rail freight transport and to be recognisable. It supports and invests in customer views on efficiency, i.e. being able to understand content quickly”, says Daniela Lehenbauer, Head of Marketing and Communications.