Business Software News

Once, the stars were all that mariners needed to navigate the seas. Today, maritime companies rely on hi-tech systems to operate and navigate equally hi-tech vessels. All of that comes with new and significant risks. On one side, automation has its benefits, especially as crews grew smaller and ships got bigger. On the flip side, however, marine technology, like most other technology, comes with its own risks. Today’s technologies often require Internet connectivity to function properly. A recent study by Boston-based security company Rapid7 found more than 100,000 devices – from traffic signal equipment to oil and gas monitors – were connected to the Internet using serial ports with inadequate security leaving them vulnerable to breaches or hacking.

My-Villages, owner of the DockMaster suite of marine business software, launched DockMaster 8.0 for beta testing, which it calls the most powerful version yet with new navigation, scheduling and dashboard features to help companies simplify operations and work more efficiently. Incorporating years of feedback from its loyal customers, DockMaster 8.0 unifies the user experience across all modules, improves overall navigation and provides superior flexibility and control over critical data. In addition, its architecture has been thoroughly upgraded to provide an enhanced user experience and seamless connectivity to off-site “cloud” data storage.

DockMaster, a suite of marine business software, will stage its latest user conference this week as its client roster continues to grow under new ownership. More than 100 DockMaster customers will gather in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the free DockMaster User Conference: OnBoard 2014, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 10-11. Experts and users will exchange information, hear more about DockMaster 8.0, the latest version due out in beta form this March, and get an update on the ongoing integration with The Boat Village, the industry’s leading mobile platform to simplify boat ownership and service coordination. “The industry response to our DockMaster product strategy has been phenomenal, and it is great to see so many new customers come on board,” said Kevin Hutchinson, founder and CEO of My-Villages.

Swedish business software applications company IFS say they have been selected by dredging vessel, mining & equipment firm IHC Merwede to support its key business processes. The contract licenses are worth approximately EUR 2 million. IFS Applications will be implemented as IHC Merwede’s single ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning)  supporting the company’s key strategic goals: collaboration, globalization, and growth. The implementation, which will be performed in phases and is expected to be complete in 2017…

To help transportation and logistics companies navigate a competitive and continually changing business environment, UNIT4 Business Software, the North American subsidiary of UNIT4, today shared its UNIT4 checklist on innovative practices for implementing finance accounting software to help transportation and shipping firms grow and increase their profitability. Based on decades of industry experience with leading enterprises, UNIT4 Business Software has identified the following six innovative practices for trucking and shipping firms to implement finance accounting software. Use a single-ledger approach to gain one version of the truth. To keep up with the fast pace of business, transportation and shipping firms need real-time visibility into a single set of accurate financial data.

Process control and artificial vision technology specialist Orbita Ingenieria launched a new optical character recognition (OCR) system to automate freight container identification and damage inspection during vessel loading and unloading at port terminals. The Orbita CraneOCR system provides real-time ISO code recognition for 20ft, 40ft, 45ft and twin-20ft containers as they are moved to and from multiple lanes under and behind ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes. The company says…

Veson Nautical announce IMOS7, an update to its maritime business software. US-based Veson Nautical, founded in 1979, is a provider of maritime commercial management and trading software solutions. The new version delivers client-driven features designed to meet today's top business priorities and prepare for tomorrow's working environment. Upgrading from previous versions is made easy with the enhanced platform installer. IMOS7 is available today and already in use in over forty major installations. IMOS is built around the way people work, say Veson, with core modules for chartering, operations, financials, and trading that capture data and share it with accounting and administrative systems for a single, integrated view.