New Sapo software glides in smoothly

Additional modules waiting in the wings Alan Peat ALTHOUGH NOTHING direct is expected for outside port customers from the installation of the SA Port Operations (Sapo) SAP R3 software package, there are hopes for indirect benefit, according to Alan Rolfe, chairman of the Association of Shipping Lines (ASL). "We'd like to think it would reflect in internal efficiency," he said, "and this should filter through in all our dealings with the port." And the switch-on of the new system, said Sapo's Durban-based IT operations manager, Mark Wooton, "was very smooth" With Durban coming last on stream at end-September after test-runs at other ports had proved successful, there were none of the serious hiccups that had accompanied other port programme installations. And, according to Wooton, thoughts have already turned to a phase two for the system, with additional modules waiting to be connected. "But we're still deciding on our budget," he told FTW. Although the new system is purely internal at the moment, another part of the near future could be interconnection with outside customers in areas such as orders and accounts, Wooton added. "The generic benefit for us," he said, "is the integration of all the modules. "It's much more user-friendly from a data-capture point-of-view." No longer are all the system functions separated. Now, if Sapo wants to cost a job for example, the workshop stock inventory module can talk to the human resources one and come up with a billing for the materials and labour costs combined. "The consolidation offered by SAP R3 also makes accessing across the national system through the central data base possible, giving management all sorts of new tools to use," Wooton added, Sapo also expects a saving in inventory costs to spring from the new system set-up Ð with less maintenance and support costs and resultant labour cost savings, according to Wooton.