I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Free Shipping Software Solutions: Bargain or False Economy? As the old saying goes, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” We always hear that. Yet, as we go about our daily lives, it is so easy to get carried away with free offers. We take store credit cards for freebies and discounts. We wait hours in endless lines for free concert tickets. We even drive a few extra miles to the next gas station to claim our loyalty reward. Yes, we all love free stuff. Ask yourself this question: Why do some shipping companies spend thousands of dollars for liner agency software solutions when they can get one for free? The answer is simple: In the maritime supply chain business, using “free” software does not necessarily mean less expenditure and more savings. For example, leading forwarders such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL offer marine software solutions for vessel and port operators at no cost. Here’s what happens when you settle on free software instead of going for more reliable liner principal software: So, here’s your takeaway:
Liner Shipping Software Solutions - Softship.com I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: 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. 1. 2. 3. 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. So how can you ensure that your initial investment on shipping line software pay out within your expected payout period?
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Cloud Shipping: Is It Really Better than Shipping Software? Cloud shipping is gaining much attention today, not only among merchants and logistics services providers, but even among shipping software companies, who are obviously not happy about cloud-based service providers eating into their market. As the price of cloud-based services continue to drop fast, hosted shipping solutions become more and more attractive to vessel operators, merchants, and third-party logistics providers who are seeking to reduce costs on licensing, installation and maintenance of enterprise shipping software. However, while cloud shipping promises a cost-effective alternative to packaged software (mainly due to its lower upfront cost) shipping companies must be wary about making the switch to an ‘all cloud’ platform based on that logic alone. After all, in any business, long-term profitability should easily outweigh huge savings on initial investment. So, the question lingers: Which is better – cloud-based (hosted) or on-premise (packaged) solution?
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Which Shipping Software Solution Is Right for You? It is well-documented: shipping software significantly improves the process of moving goods between ports and terminals. It automates admin-heavy tasks such as invoicing, demurrage, and detention billing, and speeds up work by eliminating the need for multi-entry of the same information on export forms. In container shipping, software applications like container management software increases profit by maximizing the use of container space. But, how do you know which software solution is right for you? With so many shipping software companies offering a variety of solutions, either in the form of a product or service, finding the one that best fits your unique business requirements should not be a problem. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Make an outline of your software requirements. Finding the right enterprise shipping software starts with knowing what you need.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Top 4 Signs It’s About Time You Switched to a Different Shipping Software Company When considering options to streamline your supply chain operations, first thing you must do is check out whether your existing IT structure is doing its job. Ask yourself: Is your current software system worth keeping? Or, is time to look into other options in the market? In the maritime supply chain business, choosing the right shipping solutions software directly affects efficiency across the entire logistics network. In theory, marine software solutions simplify complex supply chain procedures, reduce operating costs, and increase revenue. Here are four signs it is time to call it “quits” with your current provider and take a look at alternate shipping software companies. Financial warning signs - Positive cash flow and increased profit normally go with an efficient supply chain management.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Profitability vs. Expansion: Shipping Software is Key for Survival in Container Shipping Maritime shipping companies forecast rough sailing ahead due to a slump in global demand for container shipping and continuously increasing fuel prices. Add to that the growing supply of new ships driving competition for cargo and freight rates to a critical level. With this, shipping companies are steering farther toward cost-cutting and maximizing profit, setting aside other considerations such as expansion in the meantime. As has been pointed out by experts repeatedly, implementing functional shipping solutions software plays a critical role in achieving this goal. Last year, A.P. Whether it is good or bad news for the world’s leading container carrier, these results reflect the dire reality that shipping companies are struggling to stay in profit as a result of increasing costs of operation. Maritime software solutions are proven to streamline container shipping operations and enable operators to minimize common errors that can potentially incur significant damage and costs.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: How Liner Agency Software Helps in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emission About 5% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from merchant vessels. As the volume of maritime trade continues to grow rapidly each year, this figure is expected to rise in the following years. It is not surprising therefore that the shipping industry is under a lot of pressure from governments and environmental groups to take steps to reduce carbon dioxide emission from their ports and vessels. One way the shipping industry responds to these pressures is by adopting the concept of green or clean shipping which involves improving energy efficiency through use of marine software solutions and other shipping technologies. Efficiency in shipping can be achieved in many ways. So, what is the role of shipping company software in carbon dioxide emission reduction? As it appears, the above-mentioned measures are mainly technical and operational in nature – not directly related to shipping software.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: 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. But considering the volume of shipping software in the market, operators face the recurring difficulty of choosing the best shipping solutions. Bunker calculation.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Integrated Shipping Software: Tips for Reducing Fuel Consumption Fuel consumption accounts for between 50 t0 60 percent of the cost of running a container vessel. By simple computation, a mere 1 percent drop in fuel consumption could result in an annual savings of up to $300,000 for a large container ship. Do the math for over 70,000 vessels that make up the current global maritime supply chain industry and you will see why vessel operators are placing fuel efficiency alongside automation and shipping software integration on top of their cost-cutting agenda. There are two ways vessel operators reduce fuel consumption. One is through use of technical or design based measures. In implementing these measures, fuel consumption in all aspects of the shipping process must be considered. Vessel operators can then use these data to control vessel speed and implement other necessary measures to regulate fuel consumption while taking into account safe operating limits.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: Logistics Tracking Software as A Means To A Profitable End Managing the operations of a container shipping company (small or large) entails a lot of responsibilities. As an operator, not only should you make sure that goods arrive on schedule but you may also need to oversee other facets of the operation. Liner shipping management is a tough job, especially when you need to consider such aspects as vessel and repair management. Software systems are now available in the IT market, giving industry players a whole range of options that will benefit their businesses and clients by keeping track of cargo from departure to docking. Carriers have tapped a whole range of software packages that can efficiently facilitate and streamline important processes ranging from real-time vessel tracking to bunker management. On the other hand, shipping agents also have to contend with a set of issues as well, the least of which is keeping tabs on the storage of their principals’ stocks through a system that enables real-time reporting done through automation.
I.T. Solutions for Shipping Business: The Financial Perks of Purchasing Shipping Software Solutions As global trade routes profess high growth rates for the coming year, shipping managers are looking forward to opportunities to increase their revenue. In spite of this positive news, players in the maritime logistics sector are still prioritizing streamlined carrier operations. This comes as port congestion continues to be a pressing problem. As if it would not get any worse, bunker fuel prices are still experiencing an upward trend. These conditions in mind, container shipping companies are now demanding for effective shipping management software to work around these issues and increase profit margins. Such systems can organize complex data in a more effective way than when handled manually. Shipping software solutions are particularly suited for the intricate task of overseeing logistics operations that are usually a pain in the neck for many shipping managers. These solutions are available in the form of integrated packages.