The Challenge (and Benefits) of Choosing the Best Shipping Line Software

In the past decade, new solutions for shipping companies have been introduced, ushering a new era highlighted by higher profitability and better quality of core operations. Shipping software companies have been churning newer technologies that could achieve such ends as lesser costs in container transport operations. This comes as present market conditions are prompting operators in the liner shipping sector to consider integrated management systems, whether developed in-house or bought from a solutions provider.

Today, it is easier to find a solutions provider that can supply shipping management software in the face of increasing software demands. Options for shipping line software are available out in the open, and it is imperative for operators to take crucial steps in automating complex shipping functions. In fact, the absence of shipping management solutions can potentially cripple logistical operations and management, resulting in but not limited to delayed arrivals and lost containers. It will ultimately lead to a huge waste of investments that will place the company in a difficult position to compensate for its losses.  Luckily, these problems can be easily mitigated if efficient software solutions are in place.

But considering the volume of shipping software in the market, operators face the recurring difficulty of choosing the best shipping solutions. The problem is that there is simply no telling a shipping line software package is effective until it is purchased. No doubt, it requires a great deal of deliberation, since quality is more important than having a system package in place. Quality shipping operations present better benefits against uncontrollable circumstances affecting the supply chain: vessel failure, weather disturbances and congestion.

Anyway, finding the best shipping line software should not be a pain in the neck for operators.

What is important is to find a software solution complete with these core components.

Bunker calculation. High costs of bunker fuel have forced many shipping line operators to execute vital actions to maintain profitability. Replacing structural components like engines and propellers with fuel efficient ones can be considered, although it would entail expenses in installing the modifications alone. Bunker management software enables operators to adjust and calculate expected fuel consumption based on voyage time, rendering structural redesigns unnecessary.

Voyage scheduling. Voyage time is a big factor. Customers want their shipments to arrive on the dot to ensure a steady transportation of goods. Simultaneously, operators need to determine optimum vessel speeds and economize bunker consumption and cargo space. Cargo management software is needed for such tasks so make sure that a software option enables easier decision making.

Repair and maintenance streamlining. Managing repair invoices are a hassle. Too much paperwork is involved and losing track of repair orders is almost always unavoidable. Vessel management software acts to avoid these complications by allowing operators to determine repair estimates and keeps track of maintenance processes underway.

Software system complete with these facilities will give operators ample opportunities for a higher rate of revenue, lesser maintenance costs, accurate vessel tracking and container invoicing, and on-time deliveries. 

Are You Making Wise Investment with Shipping Software?

When shipping and logistics managers invest thousands of dollars in integrated shipping software solutions to streamline their supply chain, they do it in a presumption that in due course returns from such investment will make back upfront costs of software, hardware, installation, and necessary training for all departments involved. Indeed in favorable business conditions, marine software solutions have been tested and proven to simplify complex supply chain processes, enable revenue growth, improve customer service, and slash costs of operation.

But just like all business decisions, there are risks involved in software implementation as well as in choosing between bespoke and packaged options. Ideally, functional shipping solutions software, whether bespoke or packaged, should be able to deliver its supposed business value within its expected lifespan – before it becomes obsolete. However, there is no guarantee that this is going to happen. This is because there are many factors that are simply beyond your control such as the following:

1. IT and software products age very quickly.

2. Customer preferences change.

3. Business models evolve due to fast changing market landscapes.

With these factors at play, you cannot expect that processes involved in your supply chain management will be predictable and remain the same in, say, 10 years. At some time, you will need to modify or upgrade your system to make it work with current IT platforms. And, with the current pace of IT evolution, change can happen in a shorter period of time than you might expect.

So how can you ensure that your initial investment on shipping line software pay out within your expected payout period?

Minimize upfront investment and reduce time-to-value by choosing packaged shipping software solutions. Aside from the fact that packaged software is much cheaper than its bespoke counterpart, it is also easier to implement and requires significantly less technical training even for new users. Additionally, you don’t need to hire in-house programmers to maintain and upgrade your system. This results in lower operational cost and longer software lifespan, giving you more time to make back your initial investment.

IMO: Pushing For Environment Friendly Maritime Shipping

The IMO (International Maritime Organization) continues to champion the cause of environmentalist organizations and aims for an environment-friendly maritime shipping industry. To this end, the IMO has implemented policies that require shipping companies to upgrade their fleets and install advanced software solutions to minimize harmful emissions.

The IMO has further demanded ship repair yards to likewise make efforts to reduce harmful emissions while providing low cost quality repairs for shipping lines. One family owned shipyard, the Damen Shipyards Group founded in the Netherlands, expressed excitement for the challenge presented by the IMO. Jos Goris, Damen Shiprepair Götaverken’s Managing Director, has even pointed out that lowering repair costs is in fact in line with Damen Shiprepair Götaverken’s philosophies.

Another demand posed by the IMO is for the reduction of SOx (sulphur oxide) emissions by liner ships. With regard to SOx and other harmful ship emissions, the IMO has noted that reducing pollution produced by ships can be achieved by adequately addressing all contributory factors that include human, technical and operational issues. Shipping lines would benefit greatly from various marine software solutions developed by marine software companies that will accurately measure a ship's adherence to internationally recognized emission standards.

Shipping Line Software suites are currently available that help crew members to ensure adherence to various IMO regulated policies and standards. On the operational aspect, container management software can help monitor container contents so that hazardous materials such as oil are properly stowed since improperly stowed cargo is one of the contributing factors of major oil spills.

Let Shipping Software Handle Your Shipping Operations

A shipping line software plays an integral part of a liner shipping company's welfare. It is highly recommended for these companies to select the right software solution that will enable them to sustain their business as well as maintain a healthy growth for their finances. Contrary to what many might believe, not all shipping software solutions provide the same result of reducing overall costs for the company or streamlining their operations.

Acquiring the right kind of shipping software enables most of the company's procedures to appear more manageable. With the right software solution, companies are able to reduce costs by lowering down the time it takes for processes to be completed and lowering down most labor costs that go along with it.

Like most computer programs and applications, not every software is exactly alike. Like those anti-virus programs that offer different means of busting computer viruses, there are many shipping software solutions that offer different standards of helping shipping companies with their operations. Shipping company owners and their decision makers need to choose the right software solution for their benefit. With a bit of research, the right type of software solution can be chosen.

With the acquisition of such, shipping companies are able to streamline processes magnificently thus lowering down costs and enabling them to boost their overall sales output significantly.

Advantages Of Using A Shipping Line Software

Liner shipping has seen great changes in the latter part of the 20th century. These changes stemmed from the industry's commitment to deliver and maintain high-standard service levels. In order to provide superior liner services, shipping companies and agencies constantly require innovative solutions to ensure reliability of operations and minimize expenses. Of course, these cannot be achieved by using antiquated methodologies and practices. The only way to simplify processes and at the same time maximize profitability is to use modern software technology.

The technological enhancement in IT not only provides solutions to liner shipping companies but also to other related agencies and authorities involved in the shipping process. Some of these authorities and agencies include Customs, Port, Terminal Operators, etc.

In the liner shipping sector, finding the right software technology entails long evaluation process and in-depth product analysis to ensure that operational requirements are met. This is why software companies have developed commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions that would make decision making and acquisition easier than before. The key is choosing the most beneficial and cost-effective shipping software from a wide range of options.

There are key factors to consider when choosing the right shipping software. The software must be able to:

-Improve staff productivity

-Allow for tighter rein over profits and contribution margins

-Cut down expenses

-Enhance customer service level by supporting industry best practices

Shipping software solution such as LIMA meets the above criteria and uses the latest E-commerce applications to ensure that the movement of goods in global trade is fast and accurate, and operations are highly optimized. Hassle-free processes are guaranteed by the use of shipping line software and enough of value is added the end-users and the clients.