New NPA software brings real-time integration

Terry Hutson
AS THIS issue went to press on Monday morning, the National Ports Authority was due to introduce its new SAP R/3 software package in Durban.
This after the pilot site at Richards Bay had performed beyond expectations.
The new integrated software system replaces several previous stand-alone systems such as Portis, used for invoicing, and Portfin for central requisitioning and other purposes - systems that could not be interlinked, whereas SAP R/3 allows access to everyone subject to authority level.
According to an NPA SAP spokesman, the industry as a whole requires faster information turnaround times and a more real time service delivery. He said that while the Durban start-up may well experience teething problems during the first week, comprehensive business continuity plans had been put in place to minimise any risk to clients.
"We're introducing these international best practices into the port system to support future needs, and as part of our internal focus to be world class and a world trend setter," he said.
The NPA is the first port authority in the southern hemisphere to implement such an all-embracing SAP
system. FTW was told that while some port authorities had one or
two modules, none had such a wide spectrum.
"SAP R/3 enables an integrated, real time, complete information value chain aimed at meeting the business needs of NPA and the maritime industry in general. With the phenomenal growth the ports are experiencing, the old legacy systems were unable to cope with the increased workload," said the spokesman.SA PORT Operations has set the minds of its clients at rest regarding liability for industrial relations-related storage charges.
This follows sporadic industrial action at the Durban container terminal (DCT) on three days in August.
"These three days," said an SA Association of Freight Forwarders letter to Sapo g.m. Tau Morwe, "should be declared "free" storage days as many containers could not be uplifted from the terminal as a direct consequence of the industrial action."
The association also suggested that the implementation of the new Corebis storage system should be postponed till the beginning of this month (September) "until a more stable working environment has been established".
The association's "not negotiable" stance on the issue was met with understanding from Sapo.
"After looking into your request pertaining to relief during industrial action, Sapo agrees that some relief should be provided as far as storage is concerned when industrial action impacts on the terminal's performance."
Sapo does not however see the relevance of industrial action to the implementation of the Corebis computer system," he said.
The industrial action resulted from the interpretation of the formula which determines the annual incentive bonus scheme payments. The incentive scheme was negotiated and implemented last year to ensure an increase in productivity at the container terminals while providing for participation in the profits generated by the company, he added.