TECHNOLOGY Port Management Information Systems
A “smart” solution for ports of all sizes
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ortLink, one of the leading providers of Port Management Information Systems, stated that rapid advancements in smart-port technology and the availability of large amounts of data are providing new and exciting opportunities to make a positive impact on port operations. When the overall state of technology today is considered, we seem to be inundated by the term “smart.” We have smart phones, smart watches, smart cars, smart homes, smart cities and of course, we have smart ports. A “smart” port has been defined as a port that leverages innovation and automation technology to digitize operations and enhance the overall efficiency. Seems simple enough, but can ports of all sizes leverage smart-port technology and digitize operations? According to Kris English, Chief Innovation Officer at PortLink, the answer is “Yes, but each port will have their own version of “smart” and the digitization process will be different based on a port’s unique driving factors. These driving factors may include competition from surrounding ports, pressure from stakeholders, the desire to become more competitive or even the ambition of expanding their business without adding new infrastructure. Our Port Management Information System has been used to digitize a wide range of port operations for large and small ports alike.” While PortLink’s solutions are currently in use by some of the world’s biggest and busiest ports, English said that “we really enjoy what we do here at PortLink and are just as proud to deliver a smart-port solution that assists a port who has a handful of ships each month as we are were to deliver our solution for a port that handles hundreds of movements every day.” 22 — PACIFIC PORTS — April 2021
A “smart” port has been defined as a port that leverages innovation and automation technology to digitize operations and enhance the overall efficiency. PortLink’s Port Management Information System (PMIS) sits under the company’s “SMART Port Solution Portfolio” alongside their Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS), Port Community System (PCS), Pilot/Tug Dispatch System and Marine Operations System. The PMIS is a modular solution that supports the administrative and financial processing for all aspects of port calls and provides the digitization platform for a wide range of marine and shorebased operations. The Association of Pacific Ports spoke with PortLink, one of our Associate Members, to discuss how their PMIS fits into the concept of “smart-port technology” and how APP Port Members can leverage such a system for their own digitization strategies. APP: Can you start by introducing yourself and PortLink? KE: Sure, my name is Kris English, Chief Innovation Officer at PortLink. Among other things, I am responsible for maintaining an innovative approach to all aspects of our company’s operations from the work environment to our solutions. PortLink, based in Vancouver, Canada, and is a marine-centric, experienced solution provider who has been developing, delivering, and supporting customized solutions for the marine industry since 2007. We provide mission-proven, scalable solutions which are both innovative and user-friendly. At the core of PortLink is a team of skilled and experienced software engineers and project staff who have successfully
delivered solutions of all levels of scope, size, and complexity. With over 3,000 active users and a global presence, PortLink is large enough and has the experience to deliver projects of all sizes and complexity yet, is small enough to care about our customers specific requirements. One more quick point which is an important one to us at PortLink, we are not the type of company that will come in and tell you “this is our product, this is how it works, and you will need to adapt your workflows/processes to our system.” Instead, we do the complete opposite. We come to you (or meet virtually now with COVID travel restrictions) and spend the first few days understanding all aspects of your operations. We ask a lot of questions and in the end, we have a very clear understanding of your operations, where you are at, where you want to be, and we create the roadmap to bridge this gap. Our team then customizes our solution to meet your requirements, workflows, and processes until you are ultimately happy with the end result. Working in partnership with our customers has really helped PortLink and our customers achieve the best possible success. APP: Can you explain PMIS, how it fits into the “smart-port technology” concept and its adability for ports of all sizes? KE: PMIS stands for Port Management Information System and is a comprehensive, modular solution designed to facilitate the planning and management of port operations. The PMIS is a smart-port solution that is used as the
