SMITCO to deploy Mainsail Terminal Management System

11 Nov 2009 - Terminal Handling

SMITCO has already been utilizing Tideworks’ container planning software, Spinnaker Planning Management System®, to graphically plan yard and vessel activities and increase operational efficiencies. With the addition of Mainsail, the joint venture operator will now have the ability to leverage the full capabilities of Tideworks’ TOS (terminal operating system) to manage inventory, control gate activity, exchange information with customers and stakeholders, and further boost productivity. The installation and implementation of systems in Santa Marta are slated to be complete before the end of the year.

Tideworks’ graphical planning system, Spinnaker, was implemented in a stand-alone fashion during an earlier phase, allowing SMITCO to immediately begin reaping the benefits of a modern terminal system with minimal investment. SMITCO has seen an increase in productivity from 12 to 24 containers per hour and credits this boost, in large part, to the introduction of Tideworks’ systems.

“Tideworks’ systems provide complete control and visibility into our operations,” stated Jaime Sasso, general manager of SMITCO. “We expect to see further increases in productivity and efficiency with the implementation of Mainsail. In the end, it is all about providing better and more reliable service to SMITCO’s customers, and Tideworks helps us do that.”

As part of the implementation, Tideworks, through a combination of resources at its Seattle headquarters and its Panama regional office, is providing various value-added services to ensure the project is a success. Including:

· Hardware purchase and installation: Leveraging its vendor relationships, Tideworks has been able to procure the required hardware at reduced costs to the terminal operator. Tideworks will assist SMITCO with the installation and setup of this hardware at the terminal.

· Third–party software purchase and installation: Because of the company’s existing vendor relationships, Tideworks will provide the procurement of necessary third-party software and install the software on the SMITCO servers.

· Communication links: Tideworks will ensure that adequate communication links exist to Seattle, Colombia and Panama to assist with implementation and training as well as to provide complete on-going support and maintenance of the TOS post implementation.

· Mainsail customization: Tideworks will provide customization of Mainsail to meet the unique operational requirements of SMITCO. Development is already well underway and is expected to be completed in Q4.

· Training: Tideworks will provide training of SMITCO “super users” at another Tideworks facility prior to the systems go-live, as well as training on site at SMITCO.

“We are excited to be working with SMITCO on this project,” said Michael Schwank, president of Tideworks Technology. “It is extremely satisfying to see how the introduction of a proven, dependable TOS can help our customers achieve new levels of productivity. This project in particular demonstrates Tideworks’ ability to provide full-service solutions, in a phased approach, to meet both the client’s financial and operational objectives.”

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