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Summary Mediterranean Shipping Company + InterSystems

CUSTOMER Only InterSystems Data Platform

Mediterranean Shipping Could Process the High Data
Company
Volumes in Real Time
CHALLENGE
As the second-largest shipping company in the world, Mediterranean
Manage volumes of data,
process and validate it
Shipping Company (MSC) has a fleet that annually transports more
in real time, and make it than 12 million containers loaded and cleared in some 270 ports.
available. Handling transport and its associated process chain is complex. It is
affected by uncontrollable situations such as bad weather and strikes.
OUTCOME And it is accompanied by immense volumes of data and information:
certificates of origin, documents of title to goods, way bills, bills of
After a short (six-
lading, commercial and customs invoices, and packing lists, to name
month) implementation,
InterSystems data
but a few. The central IT system in Geneva has to electronically
platform empowers MSC process and validate more than 300,000 transactions each day. MSC
to provide its customers has set a goal of processing the enormous volume of information in
with precise information real-time, so that customers can see the current status of their freight
about their shipments. using the web-based Tracking and Tracing tool.

In the transportation sector, the containers and papers dictate the

route and planning because, given the long supply chain, outside
influences such as a strike, a storm, missing papers, or an error by
the tracking companies, can result in repeated changes. For this
reason, a clear workflow has to be provided that can track and record
the current course of the process, and when unplanned changes
occur, automatically authorize consistent and logical steps. “Ship
transport is just a small part of the entire transport and supply chain.
But it is extremely critical. Many customers who trust us with their
freight depend on precise and current delivery information for the
planning of their company activities,” says Rumen Lilov, eBusiness
 Development Manager at MSC. “This is why it is important to us that
they receive the time status for their delivery. And specifically, from
when it is accepted at the port until it is delivered at its destination.”

Existing Technologies Could Not Meet the Requirements

The relational database in use at MSC could not achieve the set goals.
It was unable to manage the volumes of data, process and validate it
in real time, and make it available without delay to the MSC agency
“INTERSYSTEMS network worldwide and customers via Tracking and Tracing. When
PROVIDES ALL THE searching for a possible solution, MSC came upon InterSystems
CAPABILITIES WE data platform technology and subjected the technology to strict due
NEED TO MEET OUR diligence.
“THIS UNIQUE
BUSINESS DEMANDS,
TECHNOLOGY IS THE
IN ONE SEAMLESS
BEST-KEPT SECRET IN
ENVIRONMENT.”
THE IT INDUSTRY.” Developed and Implemented Cost-Effectively
RumenAnthony
Lilov, eBusiness
Gillaizeau, in Six Months
Development Manager,
IT Manager, CFAOMSC
“InterSystems data platform, with its embedded, highly scalable,
reliable, and SQL-compatible database, contains all the integration
and reporting functions that we need, including EDI Engine. And
thanks to its flexibility and versatile modeling capabilities, it also
provided for fast development. After only six months we achieved
our goal,” explains Rumen Lilov. “This unique technology is the best-
kept secret in the IT industry.” MSC is now able to process the data
in real time, make it available through a clear workflow, and provide
its customers around the globe with precise information about their
freight and integrate that information in its EDI Engine. The shipment
can be tracked in real-time via the internet. Thanks to the email and
RSS alerts integrated into the Tracking and Tracing system, MSC
customers can remain actively informed about every movement of
their containers.
Successfully Integrated in Peripheral Systems
The solution is fully integrated into the company IT and peripheral
systems. And thanks to data processing in real-time, errors by the
MSC agencies at various locations that are transmitted via EDI are
detected quickly, localized, and corrected by appropriate measures.
Errors may include, for example, illogical actions, date or time periods,
incorrectly recorded destination ports or warehouses, and procedures
entered twice. These errors are transmitted automatically to MSC
agencies, who can react immediately on-site and correct the error. As
soon as the data is validated and processed centrally, it is forwarded
directly to the MSC backbone. The agencies access the data using the
Microsoft SQL Server Framework and can work in various applications
in a timely manner. “With the selected solution, we can bring together
the best of different providers,” says Rumen Lilov. “And the support INTERSYSTEMS
QUICKLY
from InterSystems was excellent. We had just a few issues where we
COMPREHENDED
needed support. And with each request, the contact person quickly
THE TASK AND
comprehended the task and presented target-oriented solutions.” PRESENTED
TARGET-ORIENTED
SOLUTIONS.
Dashboards Provide “Just-In-Time” Analytics
at the Point of Action
MSC uses InterSystems embedded business intelligence technology
to provide its agencies around the world with dashboards showing the
up-to-the-minute status of all its stock. Local offices no longer have to
request ad hoc reports from the Geneva office. They can meet country-
specific requirements using their own reports and templates.
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