(The interview conducted and written by Leonor Castanho)
ASR Cargo, a Finnish company established in 2014, has steadily grown into a key player in the air cargo industry operating at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL).
2018 marked a turning point when the company moved to the Helsinki airport airside terminal and landed Lufthansa (LH) as a client, opening the door to other leading airlines that soon came on board. With such rapid growth, efficiency and reliability became more critical than ever. Through it all, Qstep has been their game-changing software partner, automating and optimizing processes to keep operations smooth and scalable.
“One of the biggest advantages of Qstep is that it fully integrates customs and terminal cargo handling,” says Samuli Naskali, the CEO and shareholder of ASR Cargo. “When an import flight arrives, the information flows automatically into the system, so you can focus entirely on the physical handling. In most systems, customs is managed separately, which often results in double work.”
He adds: “Without automated customs communication, terminals have to manually check, scan, and store each document. If you had, for example, one hundred shipments in a day, you would need to spend around three minutes per customs document, which adds up to five hours of unnecessary manual work daily. Qstep handles it automatically, saving time and money while ensuring faster, error-free service for our customers.”
“The same applies to T1 documents. Creating these documents is incredibly easy and smooth,” he adds. “Tasks that usually require a lot of manual work in other terminals are almost fully automated with Qstep. Even competitors who use different operating systems rely on Qstep’s customs features, which shows how well the customs processes work.”
Samuli emphasizes that it’s not just about software but also being able to adapt to frequent changes in customs regulations:
“Customs systems change frequently, requiring constant communication and interpretation of new rules. Thanks to Qstep’s expertise and proactive support, our team, together with Finnish Customs, has been able to stay ahead and handle these challenges swiftly and successfully.”
During a recent visit to a smaller cargo terminal abroad, Qstep’s efficiency became even more evident.
“A while ago, we visited a fellow cargo handler in another country. The terminal there is only about half our size, yet they had seventeen people working in the office in a single day, while we manage with just three,” notes Samuli. “People are often surprised by how few staff we need in the office during the day. That’s the power of working smarter with automation.”
“I would say Qstep pays for itself. It saves staff time because processes run faster and more efficiently. It’s far better than handling tasks manually. Without the software, these operations would take longer and require more resources.”
He continues: “Of course, we’re always striving for perfection, so there’s still work to do. Many of our operations are already automated, with processes running in the background and data moving seamlessly from point A to point B. Terminals will always require some manual work, but I hope the system can provide even more support for these tasks in the future.”
Daily activities, such as generating T1 documents and managing imports, are particularly streamlined: “The import process runs very smoothly,” Samuli notes “while exports could still benefit from some improvements.”
Qstep also powers paperless operations. When shipments arrive, all information is recorded directly in the system via handheld devices, also known as PDA(s), streamlining workflows and providing customers with real-time data.
“Without Qstep, all unloadings would have to be recorded on paper, meaning the data would not be entered into the system in real-time. For every flight, we would need to write down all the information manually and then go to the office to re-enter everything into the system. Thanks to Qstep’s PDA, this entire manual process has been eliminated,” explains Samuli.
He adds: “There’s also a digital DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) checking tool, which is quite uncommon in the industry and highly valuable for us. A while ago, one airline we work with invested millions of euros and several years developing its own handheld system with digital checks, but in the end, Qstep’s solution was much better. The airline ultimately allowed us to use Qstep system because it was far superior. ”
At the same time, ASR Cargo sees opportunities for the PDA to evolve and provide even more value and functionalities for users:
“The PDA is already transforming operations, but it could become an even more powerful tool if updated and improved,” says Samuli. “Adding features such as temperature checks for pharmaceutical shipments, detailed performance insights, and better workflow tracking could provide significant additional value. Built-in guidance to walk employees through processes and features would also strengthen the system by enabling easier navigation and improving our team’s efficiency.”
Thanks to Qstep, much of the paperwork required in cargo terminals is automated, effectively eliminating the repetitive, time-consuming office tasks that often slow operations down.
“The best part of the system is that you hardly need to interact with it — you can focus on the physical work while all the office tasks are handled automatically,” says Samuli.
On top of that, ASR Cargo values that with Qstep, they can equip their employees with the right tools to excel in their daily work
“Investing in making their work easier shows that we truly care — and that loyalty keeps them with us, saving years of training and a great deal of unnecessary costs,” Samuli notes.
“Qstep is extremely user-friendly — one of the easiest systems to use,” points out Samuli. “It requires far fewer clicks to get things done. In other systems, accessing certain menus can take over twenty clicks, which is inefficient. With Qstep, everything can be managed in just a few clicks.”
ASR Cargo believes there is still room for enhancements, particularly around guiding features for new users, and hopes that future updates will include interactive prompts, in-system tips, and workflows that simplify onboarding and help staff navigate rare or complex cases even more smoothly.
“The system works great, but it could do more in terms of in-system guidance, info prompts, or hover-over tips, which we could even add ourselves, would help reduce mistakes and frustration. Most users manage fine, but built-in guidance would make learning the system easier and more intuitive,” Samuli adds.
For Samuli, the people behind the system are just as crucial as the software itself.
“The people we work with at Qstep are true partners, always ready to collaborate. We can count on them to put their heads together with us and come up with the best solutions to any challenges.”
According to Samuli, Qstep’s team support, flexibility, and deep industry knowledge have been the key advantages.
“A major benefit is that they truly understand the world of air cargo and how the industry operates. Their insight into the complexities, regulations, and day-to-day realities of our business is exceptional. The knowledge and guidance we gain from them consistently help us make better decisions, streamline operations, and anticipate challenges. This insight makes a significant difference, going far beyond the functionality of the software itself,” concludes Samuli.
ASR Cargo is confident that its partnership with Qstep will continue to support growth, efficiency, and innovation. And with plans to expand internationally, ensuring that software can also seamlessly support the complexity of eCommerce operations is a top priority.
“We’re looking at expanding abroad in the near future, and if that materializes, we’ll need a system that really supports our operations as eCommerce becomes a bigger part of the business. I could go with someone else, but the Qstep team knows IT and eCommerce inside out, so they understand how everything fits together. Having solid, well-integrated software that can handle all the processes in the terminal is a major part of making this expansion work,” Samuli explains.
He adds: “At the same time, upgrades such as more advanced PDAs, export process digitization, and improved communication around updates could make this partnership even stronger, and ASR Cargo hopes these improvements might be introduced to the system in the future.”
“We have a partner that helps us work smarter, serve our customers better, and give our employees the tools they need to succeed,” concludes Samuli.
