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: A Caveat on Implementing Shipping Software Solutions As marine shipping requirement change, shipping companies are always on the lookout for best possible maritime logistics solutions. When marine software solutions were introduced to the maritime supply chain industry, shipping became a lot different for ship owners, operators, and logistics service providers. Since then, most processes involved in liner shipping have been automated, leaving only a few areas of business untouched, particularly those which required manual operation. Yet, it is no surprise that nowadays many logistics programs are powered entirely by integrated shipping software. As it appears, full automation of the shipping process seems to be the ultimate goal of every shipping company. Additionally, there have been significant efforts by these companies to create something resembling an end-to-end or all-in-one solutions capable of managing all aspects of shipping process which includes: · Data Encoding · Documentation / Inventory · Load Management · Voyage Calculation
Hosting, Software & Web Development, EDI Services & BPO Services 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. 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: You are stuck with the company in all your shipping transactions involving their software. So, here’s your takeaway: Never build your logistics system upon free platform.
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. Other software modules can be purchased off-the-shelf and integrated into existing IT platforms to automate certain areas of the logistics process, increase productivity, and reduce expenses. 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.
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. Moller-Maersk, the world’s biggest container shipping company, warned of a slowing global trade in shipping. 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.
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. But considering the volume of shipping software in the market, operators face the recurring difficulty of choosing the best shipping solutions. 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.
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. These include installation of more efficient engines and propulsion systems, improvement of hull design to enhance hydrodynamic efficiency, and increasing vessel capacity. In implementing these measures, fuel consumption in all aspects of the shipping process must be considered.
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. 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. Aside from operational maintenance, considerable attention should also be cast on managing finances. But another problem entails a financial brunt on principals and customers alike.
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. These conditions in mind, container shipping companies are now demanding for effective shipping management software to work around these issues and increase profit margins. 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. Voyage calculation systems can also be considered with the package for better supply chain efficiency as port congestion remain a logistical nightmare. As market prices of fuel continue to rise, it is important to maximize fuel intakes.