Synergy Software Systems is a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Partner and a global erp implementation specialist. Based in Dubai since 1991, Synergy operates across the Middle East to provide integrated solutions to key industries.

Synergy first introduced the Flex Ship and Flex Port solutions to the region at the Ship and Port Show in 2005.  Since then Microsoft Dynamics AX has gone through 2 major new releases and the functionality of flex Ship and Flex Port has also been greatly enhanced by Ultimate Software. As world container traffic recovers and the Dubai Maritime City starts full operations, and other renew ports from Jordan to Oman come on line we believe this will be an important solution to streamline operations for the maritime sector in the Middle East. Synergy a has a large AX practice, providing local support with our own, very well qualified U.A.E. based consultants.

Visit Synergy Software Systems blog.

We are proud that our solution combines the best Maritime Shipping Software has to offer with the best ERP system Microsoft has to offer: Microsoft Dynamics AX. Forrester Research has released a press statement to point out that AX is leader in the ERP game. Be sure to check it out!

According to Forrester, Microsoft Dynamics AX was one of the vendors that earned a Leader designation because of “strong support for end-to-end management processes and forward-looking product strategies.”

“We believe being named a Leader in the Forrester Wave is a reflection of the investment in our Microsoft Dynamics ERP industry road map, our support for two-tier ERP implementation scenarios and our Dynamic Business vision,” said Crispin Read, general manager, Microsoft Dynamics ERP. “By delivering on a market vision focused on simplifying the user experience, increasing productivity and delivering continuous innovation for customers, we are able to help them keep pace with the rapid rate of change in today’s complex business environment.”

Logica is a worldwide Microsoft partner for Dynamics AX and also value added reseller for the Ultimate Shipping Solution. Ultimate will, together with the partners, put efforts in making the FlexShip/Port solution the world wide leading integrated ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system for the shipping industry, based on a Microsoft platform.

Logica applies it’s expertise gained in intelligent transport systems across every channel to maritime transport. Their consultants have many years experience in the industry. Together with the knowledge gained from maritime bodies, logica provides innovative vessel and port management systems to customers worldwide for improving reliability and service, and an increase in efficiency and productivity.

Port Community Systems, Logistical Services, Remote Infrastructure Management

Port Community Systems – portal solutions that use the latest technologies to bring together data from many sources, no matter what systems they use. So you can be sure you and your clients have access to the information you need, when you need.

Logistical services for major port authorities – all-in-one systems that manage the various elements you need, like resource planning, time management, handling, warehousing and such. To be truly efficient it needs to integrate fully with other modes of transport. Which is where we use our experience with road, rail and air to develop solutions.

Remote infrastructure management – providing shipping lines with the IT infrastructure to track ships – wherever they are, at sea or in port – and process port handling data. So information is more accurate. Operations are more punctual. And for the greatest cost-efficiency, shipping can be monitored from one central location rather than several centres scattered worldwide.

The Ultimate Shipping Solution is an integrated, adaptable and scalable shipping management solution wherein primary processes for schedule maintenance, customer and vendor contract management, vessel planning, bookings and documentation, container control and intermodal transport are supported.

Outstanding costs and revenues are comprehensible at all time. Debtor and vendor (self billing) invoicing structures are used to process committed costs and revenues into actual. This way, operational data is, after each step of the process, used to real time update voyage calculations.

Although the Ultimate Shipping Solution can be used stand alone, it is meant to be used as a central database wherein both the vessel operator and her agencies are working. This way a line controls its processes, makes use of real time data (entered by agencies), issues documentation as line documents, etc. Also more hybrid configurations (connections to local agency applications) are supported.

Read all about in in our factsheet for Vessel Operators.

Feature Highlights

- Operations, sailing schedule setup, maintenance and calculation
- Customer contracts (special rates (SRR))
- Vendor contracts (intermodal transport, stevedore, depot, lease, commissions, etc.)
- Over 100 available calculation methods
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Bookings and documentation (bills of lading, manifests, etc.) and invoicing
- Container fleet management and container movement control (CMC)
- Intermodal door-door transport, transshipments and ships convenience
- Distribution & Supply Chain Management
- Service / voyage finance / forecasting

We are happy to anounce our new fact sheet for port agent functionality.
Port Call management in Microsoft Dynamics AX gives you the flexible structure where all information about an individual call is registered. Improve the efficiency of your operations by full integration to other functionality inside Dynamics AX. Services on the Port Call for example, can give you immediately insight into your disbursement costs and fees.

You can download the fact sheet (PDF) by clicking the link below:

• Port agent fact sheet

The European Union tightens it’s customs policies to strengthen border security on the outer perimiter. Though at the same time aims at decreasing the bureaucratic workload for trade with EU member states.
Two goals that do not go well together….without process re-engineering and ICT support.

The frontier control authorities are streamlining customs procedures enabling paperless and straight-through processes. Electronic exchange and system compatibility is their key for ensuring regional competitiveness, reducing compliance costs and improving security.
This roadmap drives the requirements for your shipping business systems. Can you deliver the required data? On time and in the right format? Preferably without extra cost.

At this point in time it’s important to realize that an ‘one-stop-shop’ customs system for trading and logistics in the EU is still years away. So, currently no single customs network for all EU member states.
You thus need an integrated and handy system yourself, that can broker the required information electronically in compliance with the different demands in the EU as long as these still exist.

All equal, all different

The EU countries on the outer perimiter have a primary job in the risk-assements. Their harbors are the first point of entry into the EU. They require complete and specified information ‘their way’ about all cargo entering the EU (to be offloaded and transit cargo) befor it’s loaded. No entrance without their prior approval, given at the point of origin 24h before loading the cargo.
Should be no issue; just make sure that the registrations in the front-end of your operations are on par. The system can handle the rest.

We help our customers with a paper-free environment at the source. A single (input) platform of operations that simplifies and streamlines customs processes and procedures. Our software solution is fully integrated and ready to communicate in any standard and format. We can proof that the EU’s dual strategy is achievable; saving time and money on business transactions, with full compliancy to all involved regulations (including customs).

Our help now also safeguards that you are future ready for other trade regions that follow the EU’s example with their own set of standards and procedures. Slightly different ofcourse in their local aim for security and simplification of trade.

Ultimate Software is proud to announce the new eCustoms capability. In the world of transport and logistics, eCustoms is getting more and more important to support the operational business processes.

Together with our partner KSD we have the opportunity to deliver you first-class functionality for different countries.

Please see our fact sheet for the latest information.

We have uploaded our new fact sheets regarding our new version of the maritime software solution FlexShip/FlexPort.

FlexShip and FlexPort are ERP solutions built to cater to the requirements and needs of today’s international shipping business, and international port business. FlexShip is used by companies involved in the shipping business, ssuch as shipping companies, ship owners, ship operators and managers, port terminals and stevedores, agents, ship brokers and liner agencies. FlexPort is used by companies involved in the port business, such as ports, landlord ports and port terminals.

General info about our system:

Process-oriented information:

• Bookings
• Container management
• Document handling
• Port agents
• Liner and port agents
• Liner services
• Stevedores
• Portcall
• Property management
• Resource handling
• Services and fees
• Transport dispositions
• Vessel operators
• Warehouse management

Shipping companies use containers also for other reasons then just for FCL shipments. A few examples explaining common other uses (convenience scenarios) for containers.

(1) We’ve seen containers meant to be repositioned, but stuffed with breakbulk in a way that they now carry break bulk cargo which otherwise should have been shipped under deck or on top of the upper container. This way the space of the empty box is used efficiently and in fact is generating money.

(2) Sometimes containers are simply used on deck to extend under deck capacity. Otherwise the maximum capacity of the vessel is limited by under deck space.

(3) In short sea we have seen the scenario where multiple cassettes are loaded on top of another one or on a roll container. This way space needed for the repositioning of these empty cassettes is minimized.

The standard definition of ships convenience is that cargo is stuffed in the load port terminal and being stripped in the discharge port terminal. In our software solution we offer ships convenience completely integrated with multimodal transports, in a way that anywhere in a route cargo can be stuffed or stripped.

We help your bussiness go even further

It is even possible to send a container to a shipper or consignee for non containerized booked cargo. In fact any part of break bulk, ro-ro or empty booking can be stuffed, in any combination, using only one or multiple containers of any size and type. Stuffing/stripping costs are automatically captured and documentation is amended accordingly. The cargo itself is tracked implicitely via the container moves.

Operators / agents now can:

• Accept bookings for non containerized cargo against according rates
• Keep track of all equipment used for ships convenience scenarios
• Capture correct costs for stuffed / stripped cargo, container moves and used transports
• Create / pull correct documentation (load lists, cargo / freight manifests / invoices) from one system
• Benefit from correct (financial) statistics for the vessel/voyage, cargo, rates, etc.

We deliver to our customers a business system that covers these real world scenarios in all aspects. Enabling ships convenience situations that will generate extra revenue and lower cost; solve operational issues and address commercial challenges at the same time.

Ultimate Software has moved to a new office building. This building is equipped with the latest technologies to support our customers and partners and supports Ultimate’s continuous expansion.

You are very welcome to visit us and experience our new premises.