Malaysian leading offshore support services company Icon Ship Management (formerly known as Tanjung Kapal Services) has given a strong endorsement to BASSnet™ software solutions, signing a deal to put core fleet management modules on its full range of vessels.
The Kuala Lumpur-based company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Icon Offshore Berhad, will install the BASSnet Maintenance, Procurement and HR Manager – firm maritime industry favourites – on all 34 vessels in its fleet.
The modules showcase the strengths of the integrated BASSnet software suite, which allow ship owners, managers and operators to streamline all the main areas of maritime operations to improve their bottom line. The BASSnet system uses a central database built on a future-proof technology platform to optimise processes, enhance productivity and rationalise operating costs.
For Icon Offshore, the fleet-wide adoption of BASSnet software solutions was the logical next step in view of its familiarity with BASSnet’s advantages.
Icon Offshore Berhad’s chief financial officer Zaleha Abdul Hamid, who also oversees the integration of IT solutions, explains: "Prior to the merger, Icon Ship Management Sdn Bhd was already using BASSnet solutions, while Icon Fleet Sdn Bhd utilised a planned maintenance system from another service provider. After evaluating the two systems, it was clear that BASSnet has a distinct edge, and we opted to adopt it across the fleet."
For BASS, the new contract and endorsement is proof that its goal of constantly improving processes makes perfect business sense for all business enterprises.
BASS’ vice president of sales – Asia Pacific Mark Ravi says: "We are delighted to have Icon Offshore on board using BASSnet Fleet Management Systems, in terms of management overview, transparency and process efficiency, have convinced Icon Offshore to adopt our holistic and innovative solutions."
BASSnet Fleet Management Systems, which are built on the latest Microsoft .NET platform, demonstrate the business value of streamlining and automating processes across the organisation and fleet. BASSnet Maintenance module enables users to plan and execute fleet maintenance and manage their global stock of spare parts efficiently by improving fleet overview and standardising job practices, material procurement and reporting of equipment condition. Among its popular features is that it proactively ‘pushes’ information, reminders and alerts regarding key maintenance issues.
BASSnet Procurement module is an advanced purchasing system designed for the maritime industry, catering to the complete procurement cycle from budgeting to electronic approval processing of expenses. A notable element is that users can access a broad range of critical business information for efficient decision-making.
As an integrated system, the software binds all operations of a maritime outfit together, regardless of geographical location, for uniform purchasing processes. BASSnet HR Manager module is a web-based solution that enables the seamless information sharing of vital crew data to all parties across the globe.
It is designed to make crew planning efficient, track staff growth and enable crew scheduling to ensure compliance with all mandatory and trading requirements at all times. A proven, cost-effective software tool, it cuts administration time and cost to enable users to have the right resource available at the right time.
Mark Ravi continues: "We are very pleased to have won the confidence of Icon Offshore as their stringent decision-making process shows that BASS meets the high standard for cost-effectiveness and productivity gains that companies must have to thrive in the turbulent maritime industry."
Icon Ship Management (formerly known as Tanjung Kapal Services) was previously owned by the publicly-traded Tanjung Offshore, and was subsequently bought over by the Malaysian government-linked private equity fund, Ekuiti Nasional (Ekuinas), in a consolidation exercise.
Icon Offshore is the holding company of Icon Ship Management and Icon Fleet (previously known as Omni Petromaritime). With a fleet of 34 ships, Icon Offshore is amongst the largest owners of offshore support vessels in Malaysia, generating an audited combined annual revenue of RM308m ($103m) in financial year 2012.
Icon Offshore joins a number of the world’s largest and most respected shipping companies that have switched to BASS software solutions. They include Neptune Orient Lines, based in Singapore, South Africa-based liner Grindrod Shipping, French luxury cruise liner Compagnie du Ponant, IMC Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, NYK and K-Line, to name a few.