Team work is what it’s all about

THE PRIDE in Chrissie Du Barry’s face is visible when she shows FTW around ShipShape Software’s new offices in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park. The company’s new premises are indicative of the growth and success it has seen since its inception in 1987. Du Barry’s late husband, Alain, founded the software company after he had worked as a clerk in the industry and taught himself computer programming. Following his death in 1999 Du Barry decided to steer the company forward, despite having no experience in the finer points of software development and business management. “It was tough and I needed a few years to find my feet,” says Du Barry. Soon enough though ShipShape Software made the significant transition to a windows-based system – and despite the tragic circumstances surrounding her introduction to the business, Du Barry is content with what it has achieved in the past nine years. “I work with a great bunch of guys, and our success as a company would not be possible without our dedicated team of programmers and technical staff,” she points out. This is essential for a company whose product is constantly evolving, to the point where additions and changes may be implemented on a weekly basis. “We need to keep abreast of new policies and procedures that Sars may introduce – which happens quite often – and amend our software accordingly,” explains Du Barry. The software is leased by clients, a process which allows them access to a constantly changing and adapting product. Software packages include exports, imports, invoicing, warehouse management, tariff books, groupage and forwarding modules and ShipShape Software Special Projects which specialises in information technology projects that are defined and customised to suit client requirements and specifications.