The adoption of technology in foreign trade is no longer an option and consolidating itself as a strategic need for Brazilian companies operating with import and export. With currency variations, regulatory changes and rigid documentary requirements, digital tools have been shown to be allies in the search for efficiency, security and agility.
When we talk about foreign trade, the cost of error is high. An incorrect data on an invoice or a poorly filled tax classification can mean fines, retention of goods and breach of contract”, he says Thiago Oliveira's, CEO of Saygo, holding specialized in international operations. According to him, digitalization allows turning manual processes into automated flows, with greater control and predictability.
Among the solutions adopted by Brazilian companies is the use of integrated management platforms, such as Vision, a tool developed by Saygo Tech that centralizes logistics, financial and regulatory information in real time. The technology allows the monitoring of shipments, pending alerts, exchange control and analysis of operational indicators. “The idea is to take the weight of manual routines and free up time for more strategic decisions”, explains Oliveira.
Recent surveys by the World Bank and CNI indicate that the bureaucracy in Brazilian foreign trade consumes, on average, 13 working days per import operation, twice the global average. Automation has significantly reduced this time, in addition to increasing compliance with requirements of agencies such as the Federal Revenue, Siscomex and MAPA.
Three key points for companies looking to digitize their operations:
- Mapping critical processes: identify operational bottlenecks and points that generate rework, such as issuing documents or managing tax deadlines.
- Management of foreign exchange and financial risks: integrate cost analysis with automated exchange tools and scenario projection, avoiding surprises with the dollar or euro variation.
- Integration with suppliers and dispatchers: platforms that allow real-time communication with agents involved in the operation (such as carriers, trading and terminals IO reduce information gaps and delays.
Oliveira also highlights the importance of predictive analytics. “Instead of just reacting to a container delay, the company can predict logistics bottlenecks based on historical data, seasonal trends and even behavior of commercial partners”.This more strategic view of the operation tends to gain relevance in the coming years as the demand for traceability and sustainability in global chains increases.
For companies that still operate with fragmented processes, the recommendation is to start the transition with specific steps. “You do not have to digitize everything at once. Start with the control of shipments, then document management, and gradually integrate the areas. The important thing is to have a clear view of the operational gain that this can generate”, concludes Oliveira.
