6

BUILDING STRENGTHUPON STRENGTH SEVEN CONTRACTS IN 2ND HALF OF 2009

The Competence and Training module on BASSnet’s upcoming HR Manager product monitors crew training requirements to ensure they have the adequate skills to maintainefficiency and safety at the workplace.

Competenceby business

needs

(Re-) de�necompetence

needs

Monitor,review and

assess results

Plan andimplement

training

Carry outtraining needs

analysis

Mapcompetence

gaps

Assesscurrent

competencies

MANAGING COMPETENCE

Nothing says success like customerapproval, so we’re delighted to hear that MST is pleased with BASSnet.

PROOF IS IN THE FEEDBACK

news @ BASSnet1.2010

BASSnet Procurement is playing a vital role in the ship spares logistics contract between Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) and Schenker.

IT INTEGRATION FOR WSM

January 20102

Helping you prosper in 2010 Many shipping markets are struggling at present, and BASS understands the challenges companies face and empathise with them. While firms stress “top line” revenue generation during boom markets, difficult times call for an improved focus on operational cost effectiveness. Many prominent maritime companies contact us for this very purpose.

The events of the past two years have made shipping companies even more focused on operational efficiencies and the fine tuning of processes and workflow to reduce costs, so every investment is analysed to make certain that it supports the strategy. But this plays to our strengths. We have invested substantial sums of money and time into our BASSnet integrated maritime software suite so that it helps customers further increase profitability, optimise operational efficiency and providebetter control mechanisms. Fine examples of this last point can be found on pages 2 and 3 herein.

Our customer relationships are built on technology, functionality and a lasting partnership. Through the employment of the Microsoft.NET platform, BASSnet sys-tems are made to stand the test of time. We continue to release new software modules at a steady pace based on the latest technol-ogy, and utilise customer feedback gathered when demonstrating software at maritime events and client forums to rapidly enhance BASSnet functionality. A number of channels will be utilised to get closer to customers in 2010, including customer forums and the Asia Pacific Maritime, Sea Japan, Posidonia and SMM exhibitions.

Our new office in Kuala Lumpur has also contributed to better fulfilling customer needs by providing the extra space needed to expand our software development, project implemen-tation and database services teams. And with our sound financial situation, you can rest assured that we will be there for you in the future as a long-term software and IT partner.

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and successful new year – and may both your business and our joint partner-ship prosper in 2010 and beyond.

Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM), one of the world’s largest providers of third-party ship smanagement services, recently signed a five-year ship spares logistics contract with logistics provider Schenker in Norway. One of the major contract features is the direct IT integration between the two companies via the BASSnet Procurement system. “The integration is working well so far, with no issues to report,” says BASS Service and Sup-port General Manager Wong Nyuk Lan after a recent follow-up conversation with WSM Senior Purchaser Vikas Dhawade.

According to Dhawade, the two-way IT integration via BASSnet Procurement is em-ployed to send delivery details when Schenker forwards goods directly to the vessel, and also in certain cases where they need to air freight goods between different continents.

“For example, if some goods are to be procured from Japan, then they can be sent to Schenker Osaka. Afterwards Schenker can send the goods by air freight to the United States to reach the WSM-managed vessel. This is both cheaper than getting the supplier to send it directly or using a courier,” Nyuk Lan says, adding that Schenker status reporting informa-tion also makes its way back to WSM through BASSnet Procurement. It’s a win-win situation for both sides: WSM ships are kept updated,

while Schenker has access to the latest vessel schedule updates.

WSM has utilised the BASSnet Procurement module for a number of years in order to provide superintendants, fleet managers and ships real-time purchasing services through an electronic workflow, including transaction alerts. Now the module’s tight integration with Schenker’s system will supply Schenker over time with many of the BASS advantages that WSM has and will continue to benefit from.

“With the newly developed system integra-tion, with all relevant shipping information pro-vided across the loop, we have completed the procurement process. This is a significant step forward, which will rationalise and improve the process for the benefit of all parties,” says WSM Head of Procurement Knut Persson.

The contract between Wilhelmsen Ship Management and Schenker consists of the global warehousing, handling, and transportation of ship spares to the 200 vessels under WSM management.

BASS plays vital role inWSM/Schenker shipspares integration logistics contract

CUSTOMER CASE

WILHELMSEN SHIP MANAGEMENT• Fully owned by Wilhelmsen Maritime Services, which is part of the Wilh. Wilhelmsen Group

• Employs some 400 office staff and 8,000 seafarers

• Manages approximately 200 commercial vessels, including Ro-Ros, container ships, bulk carriers, car carriers, seismic ships, LNG, LPG, product tankers, offshore supply ships, passenger vessels and specialised vessels

• Recruits and trains seafarers in 24 countries, including Norway, Sweden, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, Poland and countries in Eastern Europe, Asia and Central and South America

BASSnet™ Modules• Maintenance

• Procurement• Operations

• Document management• Safety management (SAFIR)

• Risk management• Self assessment (TMSA)

• Crew/HR management• Report Generator

• Accounting• Payroll

Per Steinar UpsakerManaging Director and CEO, BASS

January 2010

After installing BASSnet Fleet Management System software on CMA CGM vessels in 2008 and early 2009 to help the world’s third-largest container shipping group realise substantial cost savings and stream-line fleet management, BASS is back at it. The recent upgrades to BASSnet 2.5 on over 80 CMA CGM vessels include integrated connection to the Wilhelmsen Ship Serv-ice (WSS) e-commerce purchasing portal through BASSnet Procurement.

E-procurement systems are becoming more common in the maritime and offshore indus-try, with oil majors already investing in such systems and employing them as a tool to supply maintenance parts to oil rigs. BASS’ interface between its BASSnet Procurement module – which is designed to manage spare parts supplies onboard vessels and keep track of sup-pliers – and WSS is still in active development in order to increase its already solid accuracy and transaction speed.

The speed with which BASS carried out the upgrade on the CMA CGM fleet exceeded all expectations. Indeed, BASS and CMA CGM were aiming for 70% of the upgrades to take place over the course of a week, with an ad-ditional 20% of the upgrades taking place via remote support during the following two weeks and the final 10% through an IT intervention at the next port call.

Instead, 80% of the fleet was upgraded within one week, with only four of the 83 upgraded vessels needing a physical intervention due to hardware problems. The entire project was finished in less than one month. A great part of

the thanks for this go to the cooperation and preparation beforehand by BASS Services and Support General Manager Wong Nyuk Lan and CMA CGM Vessel Fleet Process Manager Jean Louis Cambert, along with the tireless work of the entire dedicated support team.

“We were looking to carry out the upgrades with minimal manual intervention and minimal crew involvement. Through our preparation be-hind the scenes and ceaseless testing, we were able to activate replication and go live at a rapid pace,” says Nyuk Lan.

The e-procurement benefits that CMA CGM will experience using BASSnet Procurement are great, and include:

• Greater transparency and visibility in the maritime transport value chain

• The capture of detailed and accurate information for faster decision-making

• Reduction of supplier response time

• Spare part movement tracking

• Reduction of administrative and delivery costs

• Automated Request for Quotation (RFQ) and purchase order processes

3

CMA CGM upgrades fleet of 83 vessels & expands e-commerce solutions

SIMPLIFYING MATTERS SUBSTANTIALLYIn a traditional supply management process, the process flow for Requests for Quotations (RFQ) andpurchase orders is long and complex. As shown here, integration of the WSS e-commerce portal inside the BASSnet Procurement module simplifies matters:

RFQ e-procurement process:

Purchase order (PO) e-procurement process:

CUSTOMER UPGRADE

BASSnetTM is a modular software that enables you to build one, integrated solution covering all main areas of

maritime operations. When modules are served by one central database you can enter data once and reuse it in one

process after the other.

CMA CGM receives supplier quotation instantlyand views in BNP

Suppliers responds to RFQ by entering quotationdetails based on product availability and prices

BNP links to WSS portal, which conveys CMA CGM’sRFQ to multiple suppliers

CMA CGM request for quotation using BASSnetProcurement (BNP)

PO shows status as “Con�rmed”

Changes made by supplier captured and madevisible to buyers in PO comment �eld

PO sent back to CMA CGM for con�rmation

Supplier linked to WSS sees a preview of the PO, including maker’s # and units of measurement/discount amount

CMA CGM sends PO to WSS portal once all items arecon�rmed

January 2010 43

Not only will BASSnet™ HR Manager product cover all crewing/HR planning and management needs, but the web-based solu-tion will open up product access significantly, helping shipowners and ship operators build a proactive community between seafarers, manning agents, training centres and medi-cal centres. An important aspect of the solu-tion is the Competence and Training module.

Built with the notion that any equipment is only as good as the personnel operating it, the module monitors the training requirements of all crew members to ensure that they have adequate skills to maintain efficiency and safety at the workplace.

DETERMINING GAPS IN COMPETENCE Determining competency gaps is crucial in any good HR software and is the key to ensuring that the crew receives the correct and neces-sary training they require. “The Competence Module will allow for the setup of a user-definable Competency Matrix, which will assist in the planning of position competence, as well as crew career and knowledge development needs,” says BASS Product Management head Haakon Dalan.

An example of such a matrix would be where competence can be defined in three areas – Knowledge, Skills and Attitude. The matrix then measures these attributes against rank and/or role and vessel type to determine how a crew member fares in a particular aspect.

Once the competence needs are defined for a role, crew competency gaps can be mapped

and taken into account when an evaluation is performed. Based on the gaps detected, training needs can be identified and appropriate training can be planned.

TRACKING TRAINING NEEDS AND PROGRESS Planning and deciding on training centres can be a tiresome and time-consuming task if the right tools are not available. With this in mind, the Training Module is designed to man-age training centres, monitor training/course requirements, evaluate crew and determine their training needs, and finally to plan courses and training based on the crew evaluation con-ducted. “The module will help crew managers monitor crew competence and develop and nur-ture crew career plans, in addition to tracking training costs and budgets in order to prevent cost overruns,” says Dalan.

A list of training centres can be easily entered into the system, along with all courses, fees, course durations and course schedules. This will allow the user to make an informed deci-sion regarding which training centre to use for a particular crew. As part of an upcoming development plan, the BASSnet™ HR Manager module will also include integration with online and computer-based training systems.

Another interesting feature of the upcoming web-based BASSnet HR Manager module is that training centres will be provided with system access. The centres can then log in and update their records in the system with new courses/training offered, course cost informa-tion, training schedules and even course trainer

names. Shore-based and vessel users can then rest assured that they always have the latest training centre information at their fingertips.

Most importantly, the system will also allow us-ers to define a Training Requirements Matrix based on the list of courses and training defined by their company in relation to vessel type and rank. Once this matrix is defined, it will be taken into account when planning crew changes in the Planner module. When a crew member is assigned a particular role, the system will automatically note that he will need to attend the courses/training required for this rank. And the “employee self-service” capability offered by the HR Management system will allow sea-farers to log in and view their proposed training courses.

“In short, the module significantly cuts adminis-tration time and costs, promotes knowledge and skills development and increases crew loyalty,” Dalan concludes.

Managing competence & training needs

www.say.biz

PRODUCT UPDATE: BASSnet™ HR MANAGER

Competenceby business

needs

(Re-) de�necompetence

needs

Monitor,review and

assess results

Plan andimplement

training

Carry outtraining needs

analysis

Mapcompetence

gaps

Assesscurrent

competencies

January 20105

COVER STORY

Over the course of the second half of 2009, BASS has signed new deals with a full seven shipowners and ship managers, including contracts stemming from new markets such as Brunei and South Korea. The deals are proof positive that BASS’ efforts to expand its channel growth strategy are achieving results.

SEEING THE SLOWDOWN AS ANOPPORTUNITYLike many industries, the shipping sector has certainly had better times in past years than they’ve experienced in 2009. But sometimes positives can come out of a negative situation.

“Downturns and slowdowns provide an op-portunity for shipowners and ship managers to take a closer look at operations – both what they’re doing right, and what they would change or improve to become even more effec-tive. And when shipowners and ship managers consider means to help them carry out this process, then fleet management systems come to the forefront,” says BASS General Manager Sales Jaume Mortensen.

Interest is high both amongst first-time buyers which view fleet management software as a tool for optimising operations, and companies that were early adopters of the software, but are looking to revamp. Sometimes their cur-rent systems lack sufficient functionality – or they’ve grown weary of combining a number of disparate systems together. With BASSnet, however, they have access to a fully integrated software solution built on future-proof technology.

“Our systems meet daily shipping needs, as shown by our continued sales growth in Europe and Asia,” says Mortensen. “Not only

do BASSnet solutions improve work proc-esses, but they also provide better control mechanisms and give management the tools to minimise risk.”

TAPPING FURTHER INTO THE ENERGY MARKETThe main drivers of BASS’ multi-faceted growth strategy for new markets include sales team expansion – supported by the appoint-ment of Mark Ravi as new head of sales for the Asia Pacific market – building new channels, active participation in live demos, and cus-tomer interaction. Backed by a strong shipping industry customer base and global energy demand increases projected at 2.3% annually, Mortensen says that BASS aims to tap further into the mid-stream oil and gas sector – includ-ing deepwater subsea and floating production.

BUILDING STRENGTH UPON STRENGTHIN 2010After ending 2009 on a high, BASS looks poised to experience an even more prosperous 2010. One of the company’s chief focus areas over the last 12 months has been the gradual

development and incorporation of the new, web-based HR management system – BASSnet™ HR Manager – into the suite.

Developed from the previous Crew Manage-ment system and based on .NET framework, HR Manager’s crew management and payroll solutions were showcased at BASS’ stand at Nor-Shipping in June 2009. “We received a great response for the solutions showcased in Oslo, and we’re now in the midst of fine tuning new features before the full commercial launch scheduled for early 2010,” says BASS R&D Manager Martin Bjornebye.

With the upgrade of BASSnet version 2.6 slated for launch at the end of 2009, BASS is also working around the clock to carry out enhancements of all BASSnet modules in order to incorporate a more user-friendly interface and functionality. “We’re proactive in meeting – and even anticipating – client needs. The end result for customers is increased operational effectiveness. For us, the end result is increased customer satisfaction – and a steady increase of new contracts,” says Product Management General Manager Haakon Dalan.

Gaining global market share in a challenging climate

“BASS’ new deals and contract extensions for over 250 ship

installations across two continents builds on the

company’s global leader position in the ship

management software industry”

September 2009 – Green Maritime (South Korea) • First customer in South Korea• Installation of BASSnet database population to commence in December 2009

July 2009 – Stolt Tankers (The Netherlands) • Fully integrated BASSnet suite on 76 vessels and office• Fleet rollout scheduled for early 2010

October 2009 – Nordic Hamburg (Germany) • BASSnet HR Manager, Maintenance, Procurement, Document Management, SAFIR and Report Generator modules

August 2009 – Nimic Ship Management (Taiwan) • BASSnet Accounting, Maintenance, Procurement and Document Management modules • Project scheduled to launch in 2010

A SECOND HALF TO REMEMBER NEW BASS CUSTOMERS – SECOND HALF OF 2009

September 2009 – Belait Shipping (Brunei) • First customer in Brunei• Pilot vessel expected to go live in February 2010

December 2009 – OMC Ship Management (Dubai)• Fully integrated BASSnet suite on special-purpose construction pipe-laying vessel

June 2009 – Keppel Nantong Shipyard (China) • BASSnet Maintenance

January 2010 6

BASS’ European Customer Forum in Barcelona October 5–6 was attended by some of shipping’s global giants, and offered participants a mix of product workshops, live demonstrations, speeches and social networking activities.

GIVE AND TAKEDevelopers, project managers and delegates from esteemed maritime players such as CMA CGM, Wilhelmsen Ship Management and Stolt Tankers had a chance to come together at the forum to discuss BASSnet develop-ment and share experiences, including best practices.

It is the collaborative communication that keeps participants coming back and BASS finds this invaluable for its product develop-ment and customer relations. The four interac-tive sessions spread out over the two-day event not only provided attendees insight on new BASSnet product features but also BASS itself with a great deal of useful feedback regarding its product updates and launches.

EXTENDING INTO THE EVENING…Outside of the workshops themselves, small discussion groups involving customers, developers and BASS management continued over lunch and a tapas dinner out at the Costa Gallega restaurant.

“Participants wished they had even more time to discuss BASSnet products and workflow processes – which is a good sign indeed.

Workshops, demonstrations & social networking in Spain

BARCELONA CUSTOMER FORUM 2009

Nothing says success like customer approval. So we were delighted to hear that German dry and liquid bulk shipowner MST is pleased with BASSnet.

“We had been looking for useful fleet manage-ment software for quite some time, but had difficulty finding an integrated solution that covered all shipping activities,” says MST Nautical Superintendent Alexandr Miklas. “BASS is the only company to offer such a modular system, which enables sequential im-plementation and cost distribution over time. We have two modules in use at present, and we’re very satisfied with them.”

“MST not only looked for a system vendor that has proven delivery capabilities, but also one that can create true return on investment. We’re glad that our BASSnet suite of products is living up to – and exceeding – their expectations,” says BASS General Manager Sales Jaume Mortensen.

The proof is in the feedback

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Europe/Americas: BASS AS Lysaker Torg 8, P.O. Box 68, 1324 Lysaker, Norway • Tel: +47 67 10 55 20 • Fax: +47 67 10 55 16Asia/Pacific: BASS Sdn Bhd 19th Floor Menara Atlan • 161B Jalan Ampang • 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Tel: +603 2173 6488 • Fax: +603 2173 6499 • Support tel: +603 2173 6422HQ: BASS Software Ltd. Atalanti House, 6th Floor • 203 Christodoulou Chatzipavlou • 3035 Limassol,Cypruscontact@bassnet.no • www.bassnet.no

What we heard most from attendees as we left is that they’re greatly looking forward to the next customer forum. The feeling is mutual,” says BASS General Manager Sales Jaume Mortensen.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Asia Pacific Maritime 2010Date: March 24-26, 2010Venue: Singapore ExpoVisit BASS at Stand 3G24

Sea Japan 2010Date: April 21-23, 2010Venue: Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition CentreVisit BASS at Stand K20

PosidoniaDate: June 7-11, 2010Venue: Hellenikon Exhibition Centre, AthensVisit BASS at Stand 719

SMM HamburgDate: September 7-10, 2010Venue: International Trade Fair, Hamburg

BASS Customer Forum 2010Date and venue to be confirmed

Please visit www.bassnet.no for the latest details.

- BASS offices- BASS events or trade shows where BASS will appear

KEY FEATURES OF THE FORUM• New features in BASSnet™ 2.6 version - Material and resource forecasting - Supplier performance - Reviews and improvements

•Web-basedHRManagementandpayrollmodule

• ReviewofthenewBASSnetFinancialsmodule

• KPIDashboardforvariousBASSnetmodules

•Dry-docking

•Vettinginspections

• Experiencesharing: CMA-CGM upgrades to 2.5 version