Strategic Restructures to Allow Expansion
Strategic Software is restructuring in order to streamline its business services and allow expansion into the ship operating sector. Ownership of VesselOps, the integrated vessel operations and voyage management system developed in close cooperation with the Armada Group, is passing to Softmar Ltd., a dedicated company created by founder and chairman of Strategic software, David Marais. Softmar will work closely with Strategic Software and both companies will continue working from Strategic’s London headquarters. Marais will remain a major shareholder and member of the board of Strategic, the company he founded nearly 20 years ago. Strategic is also a major shareholder in Softmar.
Strategic Challenges LevelSeas for Top Spot In E-Brokering Arena
A new and formidable player emerged in shipping's e-broking sector this week to challenge the previously undisputed market leader LevelSeas, which is still more than a month away from launching a product. Software provider Strategic said on Tuesday it had acquired its closest competitor Dataworks. Although market sources put the price tag at a relatively low one million pounds ($1.4 million), they said that with 600 customers and numerous products already launched Strategic would provide a strong challenge to LevelSeas. "Levelseas started from scratch," said a source at Strategic. LevelSeas was founded by Shell Cargill and London shipbroker Clarksons in April 2000 to broker ships for cargoes over the Internet.
