Customer is a multi-country and multi-terminal port operator in African continent, they were looking to centralize and streamline their billing and operations across all terminals. They were facing challenges such as planning, execution, and performance reporting which were results of inefficiencies in their operations, as well as a lack of visibility and control over their business.

Manual processes, such as manual billing, led to delays and inaccuracies, which resulted in wasted resources, low productivity, and lost revenue. Additionally, manual processes were also prone to errors and inconsistencies, which led to poor performance and customer service.

Without real-time control and visibility, the port operator struggled to identify and address problems as they arise, leading to increased downtime, lower productivity, and increased costs. This also made it difficult to plan and execute operations effectively, leading to further inefficiencies and poor performance.

The lack of real-time control over operations also made it difficult for the port operator to monitor and improve safety conditions, which led to unsafe working environments and increased risk of accidents. Additionally, it also led to poor customer service, as the port operator were not able to respond quickly and effectively to customer needs.

Business Challenges

1. Managing different types of cargo: Different ports may specialize in handling different types of cargo, such as containers, bulk goods, or roll-on/roll-off cargo. This can make it challenging to ensure that the right equipment and personnel are in place at each port.
2. Lack of visibility into the status of vessel and cargo: This made it difficult for the operator to plan and coordinate operations across its terminals.
3. Lack of efficiency in cargo handling: The operator was using manual processes to track and manage cargo, which was time-consuming and prone to errors.
4. Maintaining efficient communication and information sharing: With multiple terminals to manage, it was difficult to ensure that all relevant parties are informed and on the same page.
5. Managing and optimizing the terminal capacity and space and handling the overcapacity issues.
6. Managing the complexity and diversity of the billing process, including the different types of cargo, services, and customers.
7. Navigate complex contract management issues such as balancing the interests of multiple stakeholders, keeping up with changing regulations, and managing risks and liabilities.
8. Lack of standardization: Without standardization of processes and procedures, it was difficult to ensure consistency and efficiency across different terminals.
9. High operational costs: With the above problems, operational costs became high, and it was difficult to optimize performance and reduce costs.

Solution

To address these challenges, the port operator implemented LogStar Multi-Purpose Terminal Operating System (MPTOS) to centralize their operations and improve efficiency. LogStar provided them with a single platform to manage all their terminals, which allowed them to track and manage operations in real-time.  This implementation included various modules such as General Cargo TOS, Customer/Community Portal, Enabill (Billing & Revenue Management Solution), Rail module, Integration with their conveyer and equipment control system.

The implementation of LogStar Multi-Purpose TOS led to significant improvements in the operations of the port operator. Some of the key benefits include:

• Improved coordination and communication across terminals: LogStar Customer/Community Portal enabled real-time sharing of information and improved coordination between terminals, which led to faster cargo handling and reduced delays.
• Increased operational efficiency: The system’s automated processes and tools helped to streamline operations and reduce manual errors, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
• Better visibility and control: The system provided the port operator with real-time visibility into the status of cargo and vessels, which enabled them to make better-informed decisions and respond quickly to any issues that arose.
• Cost savings: Centralizing the management of port operations can also result in cost savings. By having all the information in one place and better coordination, it can help to reduce the number of errors and delays, which can result in reduced costs.
• Better decision-making: With all the relevant information easily accessible, it can help to improve the decision-making process by providing more comprehensive and accurate data to decision-makers.

Major USP can be attributed to LogStar’s ability to provide customers with a single solution to manage various facilities and seamlessly the flow of cargo flows between them. In addition, LogStar is fully integrated with other ERP, hence providing customers with end-to-end performance and revenue management for our customers.

Conclusion:

The implementation of LogStar MPTOS helped the port operator to improve coordination, efficiency, and visibility across its terminals, enabling it to handle cargo more efficiently and reduce delays. This in turn helped the operator to provide better services and increase customer satisfaction.