ABS Nautical Systems in Rio de Janerio 
ABS 495 words

Software company ABS Nautical Systems reports that it is doing well in South America, with South America's largest shipowner, Transpetro Fronape, currently upgrading to the next version of the software. 

According to ABS, Fronape considers the software to be an important management tool, to help both onboard processes and decision making at a business level. 

It uses the software on nearly 60 vessels, covering virtually all SafeNet modules including Maintenance and Repair, Purchasing and Inventory Control, Financial Reporting, Crew Management, Crew Payroll, ISM/STCW Compliance, Document Management and Commercial Modules.

Fronape started using the system in January 2001, spending 6 months gathering data for the ship database and building an interface between the ABS NS software and Fronape's financial system, SAP, to create a fully integrated operation and financial control system for the whole fleet.
	
The database development was the most time consuming part of the project because of the number of different vessels (20 classes). For each vessel a hierarchy system, an equipment list, a spare parts list and a consumables list, as well a maintenance plan, were created by a chief engineer with experience on that particular class of ship. 

The on board implementation began June 2001 with a trio of vessels. This trial implementation on three vessels then "tested" the systems and allowed the opportunity to make any necessary corrections. Fronape and Nautical Systems then employed an "Implementation Team" of five former chief engineers to assist with the on-board training and to work closely with crew members. 

In a six-month period, the crews of 48 ships were trained and the software implemented on each vessel, with an implementation schedule of eight ships per month.

During the entire project Fronape had on-site consulting from ABS Nautical Systems with two consultants in Fronape´s main office and visits as needed during the critical SAP interface development. 

Fronape comments that the greatest difficulty was crew training because of the turnover in staff. So extra effort was needed to make sure all appropriate shipboard personnel were well trained in the use of the software. 

The ISM/STCW Compliance Module was customised to fit Fronape's needs. The South American shipping company also wanted customized solutions for its financial reports, seaman certificates at load facilities and embark/disembark reports. 


SUBHEAD Version 4.42

ABS-NS is currently working towards a release of version 4.42 of the software, scheduled for May 2003. Changes include fine tuning a corrective action report document (CAR), writing a  
a revised U.S. immigration INS-418 form and adding a crewing form subscription service. 

The new I-418 form follows recent changes to the form made by the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service. Users can export and print the form using Microsoft Access. 

ABS NS is planning to initiate a subscription service which will complement this tool by providing access to the most recent versions of the most commonly used forms required by the U.S. government and the IMO, such as shipping articles and crew lists.