The primary objective is to develop a new breed of ICT systems, verify the organisational adaptations required to make the most of these systems, and apply them in practice to secure optimal strategic, tactical and operational decision-making and control.

This involves:

• Develop an ICT infrastructure reference model for efficient data access and communication in transport chains. Current models do not facilitate applications for decision support properly. Ensure integrate-ability for DSS analysis modules, modules for acquisition of data from operations, and modules for data exchange with collaborators and data from the shipping market
• Develop DSS tools for integration with the proposed ICT infrastructure. This includes operational, tactical and strategic planning tools to analyse trade patterns, capacity and pricing of services
• Define organisational challenges and solutions for maritime logistics operators that want to take advantage of this new breed of ICT management and decision support systems to ensure that new insight and knowledge contribute to competitive advantage and real value added for the operator and the customer.
  

Further, re-use of data and information, and transmission of experiences are some of the main challenges for approaching commercial problems in a structured way. In many industries most actors base their activities on old routines and personal knowledge and experiences from their employees. Unfortunately this brings vulnerability. Thus, in facilitating a commercial lead for Norwegian ship owners and the shipping industry, the following challenges are identified:

• Gain knowledge about the industry and branches which one operates within
• Understand the industries development and future needs
• Perform competitor- and market- surveillance. Understand the drivers of competition
• Diversification of products and services, and have the capability to react to changes in commercial conditions
• Make correct analytical decisions for short-term positioning of the fleet, and long-terms contracts
• Enable effective information exchange throughout the transport chain, and re-use of data for commercial analysis and in decision support systems
• Integration of systems; between internal (ERP, CRM, etc); between actors in the transport chain (email, telephone, fax, etc.); and of decision support systems
• Analysis of knowledge transfer processes, and securing quality in commercial services. I.e. How to make basic knowledge readily available in the organisation, and how to ensure it is utilised?