Should You Have Single or Multiple Shipping Software Providers?

Before heading to the market for liner principal software, it is important, first of all, that you decide on the IT structure of your supply chain. Do you want to stick with a single vendor capable of providing integrated shipping software solutions or consolidate services from multiple ‘best of breed’ providers?

The good thing is that, while both options have their own pros and cons, you won’t go wrong if you choose one or the other. However, when you do choose, you must know the ‘whys’ of whichever option you take. To help you out, here are two main advantages of having a single shipping solutions software provider:

1. Convenience
If you could find everything you need in one store, would you want to go and look somewhere else? Of course, not! In the same sense, why bother dealing with multiple software vendors when you can get all you need from a single provider?

2. Accountability
When you have a single vendor for all your supply chain requirements, that company has full accountability over your entire IT system. This means that in case of system failure, you won’t have a hard time figuring out who’s to blame. Therefore support, fault isolation, and troubleshooting are quicker and more effective.

On the other hand, sourcing liner principal software from multiple providers has its own benefits:

1. Cost
Partnering with two or more shipping software companies is a way to create “competitive tension” between providers to get the best bargain.

2. Specialized services
When you divide your logistics requirements to two or more vendors, you can leverage best-of-breed providers for specific segments of your supply chain system.

While there is no guarantee as to which of these two options is better, you can rest assured that both are capable of delivering results in terms of cost and efficiency. You can always make the right choice by carefully evaluating your supply chain requirements and discussing your options with everyone involved.

Maximize Profit: Count Shipping Costs with Voyage Calculation Software

 

In any business or undertaking, there is a proverbial advice to always count the cost ahead of time. It is a timeless advice heeded even by ancient builders and kings before they undertake a large building project or go to war in that order. In the maritime supply chain business, it is vital for success and profitability that you count all possible costs including demurrage expenses against your projected revenue before leaving the port. This is the main reason why modern shipping companies are equipped with voyage calculation systems and other liner shipping software solutions.

Voyage calculation is a complex process where a lot of factors such as distance, load, weather, and sea condition are taken into account. Doing it manually requires a lot of effort and will expose your shipping operations to costly errors. Good thing, you don’t have to rely on spreadsheets and complex systems anymore with voyage calculation software.

Fully integrated shipping software ensures maximum efficiency when assessing the impact of different voyage options. It is not only faster and more accurate; it makes all other shipping tasks easier and more organized. Here are just some of the most outstanding benefits of voyage calculation software:

1.       Easy to install.
Like in any other liner agency software solutions, this software does not require advanced IT skills to install. In most cases, it is as simple as following on-screen instructions and you’ll be up and running in minutes.

2.       Generates comprehensive calculation.
It is easier to make decision when you have all the pertinent data available. Voyage calculation software takes into account integrated voyage distances, arrival time, loading/unloading costs, bunker /port costs, canal fees, draft, vessel speed, oil consumption, and bad weather allowance. It also supports calculation and analysis of revenues, running costs, and expenses.

3.       Supports simultaneous calculations.
To maximize profit, you can run several calculations simultaneously and identify options with best commercial value.

4.       Accurate calculations.
As with all other types of shipping company software, all input data are carefully validated so you can avoid potentially expensive miscalculations.

Enhance Liner Agency Business with a Shipping Software Solution

In the days before the internet, conducting business in the shipping industry meant tons of paperwork, sales and marketing difficulties, data management problems, and of course, a lot of disgruntled employees. Logistics is a realm of complex business operations burdened with complicated industry rules and regulations.

In today's era of technological advancements, shipping companies are able to perform several functions with ease. Liner agencies can now facilitate various cargo transport processes by using sophisticated shipping software solutions.

A state-of-the-art shipping software suite such as ALFA consists of a Sales and Marketing Module that provides the groundwork for business acquisitions with superior address management, detailed customer statistics and promotions history.

Furthermore, tariff information and quotations such as surcharges, rates and customer quotes are covered comprehensively no matter what mode of shipment is involved (FCL, LCL, RoRo, etc).

An advanced shipping software solution provides bookings generation capabilities from existing quotations to advanced booking state. Line Managers are able to access updated booking information from all offices at any given time. Commercial decisions regarding voyage profitability, shut-outs and allocation shifting can be made with Principals in real-time.

In addition, a shipping software solution enables efficient documentation. Import and export Bill of Lading (B/L) data processing is improved with plausibility tests and check routines to ensure that communication and reporting rules involving all parties are stringently followed. Manifests and other documentation that are stored in the database are created and printed quickly with just a few mouse clicks.

Shipping software solutions like the ALFA Suite also include other modules for:

• Invoicing

• IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods)

• Intermodal Haulage

• Voyage Account

• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)

Today, cargo shipping and transport pandemonium is a thing of the past. With innovative shipping software solutions, liner agencies can conduct business smoothly as well as save on operational costs.

IMPROVE CARGO MANAGEMENT WITH SHIPPING SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

Cargo management entails time critical and labor intensive tasks. Every day, liner shipping companies are faced with commercial pressures in order to meet operational and service goals. It is extremely important to understand how shipping companies can accelerate development of cargo transportation and logistics environment in order to provide excellent service to their clients.

Establishing a quality cargo management framework is the reason why most companies in today's shipping industry are realizing how crucial it is to use a shipping software to mitigate shipment-related problems that significantly affect the flow of business.

Shipping software solutions can greatly impact cargo handling in several positive ways:

• Manage data such as B/L formatting, vessels, ports, services, routes, etc with efficiency.

• Access data in real time at any point in the shipping process.

• Reliable tracking and control of container movement for liner agents around the globe.

• Consolidate global online data from all agents for the purpose of cost control, billing reversal and optimized cash flow.

• Dependable, fast and scalable file handling solutions.

• Enhanced scheduling, state-of-the-art voyage calculation and detailed reporting between customers and shipping personnel.

• Comprehensive analysis and online management of business data and events to recognize progressive business opportunities.

• Organized administration of freighter trips consisting of quotes, inquiries, booking options, cabin and voyage information, etc.

• Neatly integrated equipment management and communications tools to streamline repair and maintenance processes for equipment managers and operators.

• Efficient claims handling, payment processing and invoicing.

These are just some of the great benefits using a shipping software provides. Shipping companies are now able to simplify operations, increase productivity, and expedite transactions with the use of a reliable, highly-sophisticated, and fully integrated management and operational shipping software system.

The Advantages of Using Terminal Management Software

In the shipping industry, container terminals elicit immense optimization problems, which often originate in the operations management at several decision levels. The processes involved in cargo management and control pose several challenges for terminal operators especially in today's rising global trade and chaotic business environment. This is why container terminal operators all over the world have been searching for management solutions and taking unconventional measures to ensure faster and more efficient cargo processing.

Technological advances in today's shipping industry have been created to address the issues stemming from container terminal management. Solutions such as terminal management software allow operators to manage real-time inventories, utilize flexible work flow tools, and integrate other business-critical systems. Various IT software companies have come up with this software to aid terminal operators in handling containerized, RoRo and general cargo for multiple shipping companies.

Other advantages of using terminal management software include:

• dependable cargo identification at the gate

• complete and visible cargo positioning and locating in the yard

• mobile mainframe access for tally and driver

• accurate load-/ discharge lists for yard planning

• hand in hand co-operation of documentation and yard management

There are several software firms that offer this type of solution, however, the cost-effectiveness of these products and services is always a great concern. The good news is, there are shipping software companies that offer state-of-the-art terminal management systems at affordable costs but also deliver comprehensive management functionality and scalable applications designed to fit the size of the business.