Oslo, Norway – BASS is pleased to announce that SMT Shipmanagement & Transport Limited, a growing ship management and transport company based in Cyprus, with operational offices in Poland, USA, Norway and Netherlands, has reached an agreement with BASS to provide advanced purchasing and safety software solutions to help increase both purchasing efficiency and safety reporting.

The agreement, which followed a lengthy competitive bidding process, was awarded to BASS in 2006, and includes BASSnet™ Procurement, an advanced procurement software tool, and SAFIR, a safety reporting solution. According to Haakon Dalan, BASS’s general manager, the implementation of the software solution is now successfully completed.

"This contract represents further evidence that the shipping industry is increasingly recognising the value of software to help reduce costs and improve safety," said Dalan, "and the fact that SMT chose BASS is a clear endorsement of the quality of our user-friendly and future proof solutions."

BASSNET™ FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Dalan explains that unlike many competitors, BASSnet™ Fleet Management Systems are built on Microsoft.NET® – a stable, flexible and future-proof platform which is simple, effective and easy to use. In addition to allowing for the continuous development of new functionalities, the Microsoft.NET® platform is very reliable; an important advantage for operations at sea, where conditions often play havoc with sophisticated IT systems.

Mr. Panayiotis Alexandrou, IT consultant of SMT, says that after an extensive evaluation period, the company determined that the BASS software tools were the right choice. "Because SMT has offices in multiple locations, we sought a software solution that was both flexible and did not require a lengthy or expensive training process," he stated. "After our review, BASS emerged as one of the strongest competitors; and now that the system has been implemented, we are confident we can reduce costs related to purchasing and improve on our safety reporting."

BASSnet™ 2.0 is installed on a central server in SMT’s office in Poland and on 26 vessels in the company’s fleet of dry-bulk self-unloaders. The solution links vessels in SMT’s fleet to the company’s operations in Poland, Cyprus and the Netherlands. BASS’s accounting web reporting tool has also been installed to provide online reporting of financial accounts.

Like all modules in the BASSnet™ suite, the two modules work together. Dalan notes that BASSnet™ Fleet Management Systems have been developed so that customers can choose to install the entire system or individual modules to manage specific tasks, such as crewing, maintenance, procurement and safety reporting. All modules are designed to work seamlessly together, providing users with comprehensive control over their fleet. "Once the solution is installed onboard, easy upgrades are available, allowing customers to add new functionalities or modules as their business develops," he noted.

BASSNET PROCUREMENT SHIP OPERATION SOFTWARE

BASSnet Procurement is an advanced electronic purchasing software for ship operations. The software, which has been designed to enable improved decision-making and facilitate budget forecasting, enables users to effectively manage their entire purchasing process, linking vessels, offices, suppliers and freight forwarders to ensure the timely execution of RFQs, purchase orders, delivery in port / onboard, invoicing, and budget follow-up.

The software helps users save time and reduce administrative errors through seamless automated ordering aligned with existing systems and processes, increase control of purchasing activity to minimise order management costs, and allow for the seamless connection between inventory management and accounting systems.

BASS SAFIR SHIP SAFETY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

BASS SAFIR is a ‘best practice’ software for safety and quality management. Ship operators can systematically analyse undesired events and risks to facilitate organisational learning and continuous improvement.

The system keeps track of accidents, near-accidents, non-conformities, inspections, customer remarks, and suggestions for improvement. If used properly, it can help to avoid accidents, protect lives, the marine environment and property at sea, and assist in TMSA and compliance with the ISM code.