Port Otago Multi-Terminal Container Mgmt System

Port Otago Rolls Out Multi-Terminal Container Management System

Jade Master Terminal Provides Holistic View of Operations Across
Three Separate Sites

Christchurch, New Zealand, 24 May 2007. Jade Logistics today announced that Port Otago Limited, a key port in the South Island region of New Zealand, is rolling out what is believed to be one of the first multi-terminal container operating systems in the world using the Jade Master Terminal (JMT) container management software solution.

The port, which has been using JMT to manage operations at its main container terminal for over 10 years, will extend the current system to encompass its South Freight inland container depot facility, located 11km away.

The JMT multi-terminal solution allows terminal operators to create any number of completely separate cargo terminals that run on the same database. This gives a holistic view of the port’s activities across all terminals. By using one solution and one database which is accessed over the internet via the JADE Smart Thin Client technology, total cost of ownership is kept to a minimum and IT costs relating to system maintenance and upgrades are reduced. At Port Otago, the IT function is outsourced to a third party contractor.

“It made absolute sense for Port Otago to extend the system to include its South Freight inland depot,” says Geoff Plunket, CEO of Port Otago Limited. “The JMT solution is really flexible, allowing us to quickly adapt our operations to better serve customer requirements.”

By using JMT, Port Otago can now offer access to its system via the Internet so that customers can track the progress of their containers. The Port is also able to achieve productivity improvements from reducing duplication of input and manual errors and streamlining and automating certain procedures. Port Otago further benefits from integrating the solution with other software including its invoicing system.

As ports deal with increased volumes of cargo, it is becoming more common for them to open inland receiving and delivery terminals. Port Otago’s South Freight operation handles a steadily increasing volume of empty containers and provides a full range of services including warehousing, container packing and unpacking and transport services from its own fleet of trucks.

Port Otago aims to have the JMT solution up and running at its South Freight terminal within the next two months.

Port Otago joins another Jade Master Terminal multi-terminal system customer, Toll Owens Ltd based in Tauranga New Zealand. Toll Owens operates its entire log marshalling operation on JMT, spanning 11 terminals and servicing the majority of log exports throughout the country since 2003.

“We’ve worked with Port Otago for many years and have helped them to develop a solution that differentiates them from competitors,” says Dave Quennell, Programme Manager, Jade Logistics. “It was important for the Port’s management to be able to have an overview of the whole business, rather than looking at individual terminals and depots on separate systems and trying to consolidate this information. By implementing a multi-terminal solution, they can instantly achieve this, as well as realising other benefits in terms of significantly improved efficiencies with minimal extra IT costs.”

ENDS

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