How do you help shipbrokers to deal with the flood of emails they receive daily? How do you collate market information quickly and simply? And how do you integrate messaging systems with broking software to provide a seamless and efficient system.

Representatives of major leading shipbrkers from all over Europe met recently at AXSMarine’s office in London to discuss those issues and IT challenges.

Hugo Rousse, AXSMarine’s London Director, reports: “Shipbroking software providers are now competing with major players of the software market on messaging and post fixing. Several large brokers have already adopted Microsoft solutions for messaging, post-fixing, financial and management reporting. It opens the door for more flexibility, a stable and sustainable IT strategy in a market where competitive advantage is key.”

Collating market information, benefiting from integration between messaging and post-fixing, and proposing solutions which help brokers to read less emails are the biggest challenges, the participants agreed. The central theme of the day’s debates was how will the providers adapt to those challenges over time. AXSMarine were confident they will be able to meet modern broking demands and the delegates agreed that the use of Software as a Service is becoming an increasingly popular solution to meet clients’ needs.

Delegates and guests also enjoyed a French lunch and a traditional British post-event party to celebrate AXSMarine 10th anniversary.

Hugo Rousse, said: ‘This was the first time we have hosted this type of forum and we were extremely pleased with the level of interest. More than 40 delegates attended and we will host a similar event next year.”

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[download id=”243″]Challenges and opportunities facing the heads if Information Technology departments at leading global shipbroking companies will take centre stage at a unique day-long seminar being hosted by AXSMarine in London.

Participants will discuss the issues which face IT specialists working within the shipbroking sector and will analyse the various solutions available to them in a bid to collectively identify IT strategies which are most appropriate for shipbrokers.

Hugo Rousse, EMEA Sales Manager, said: “This forum is a unique opportunity for IT specialists to network with their peers and to exchange information and opinions about their specialist sector. AXSMarine is delighted to host this effective and important event and if it proves to be a successful day for all, we may consider holding a similar event in ASPAC and also expanding the format to sectors outside of shipbroking.”

The seminar will take place on Thursday September 30th at AXSMarine’s London office at
60, Cannon Street, EC4N 6NP and will begin with breakfast at 8.30am before delegates launch straight in to the discussion on the present day challenges facing their sector. Further topics for the day include how to use Microsoft solutions and internet-based services and a round table session.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary of business, AXSMarine is inviting delegates to join a celebratory lunch at the Royal Exchange. In addition the company will host a private cocktail party at the Coq d’Argent after the seminar closes.

Users of the market leading AXSTanker suite can now look forward to even further improvements in the service offered only to competitive tanker brokers when Version 3.0 of the internet-based software is launched today.

Not only will it have an upgraded interface and include a more user-friendly look and feel, but improvements to the functionality of the system will also serve to enhance database interrogation and data retrieval.

Brokers looking to search the database can do so now based on vessel draft and beam restrictions as opposed to just using Panamax or Suezmax vessel size search strings. There is a new attach file capability on the system as well as an AIS data, sourced from Vesseltracker, map and history access capability. Equally as important, Q88 files can now be uploaded via the AXS Support system (email to support@axsmarine.com) and can be exported in PDF, text or Word formats.

New filter tools have been installed at the new login page (widgets) that will enable users to retrieve data in any pre-defined way such as in tabular, graph or trend format. The plan is to refine this aspect to start offering user defined filter tools which will allow clients to use their own dashboard to search for specific information.

Users can also search Ice Class and IMO I and II fields and distance table data has been updated. Side bar technology also means enhanced page launching capability.

Stephen Fletcher, AXSMarine’s Commercial Director, says of the enhancement: “We are very pleased to launch version 3.0 as we have been trying to deliver most of the new features since the beginning of 2010. We initially planned to launch in 2-phases but as with any plan we had to adjust and decided to launch everything together. We are very confident that the new features are intuitive though we will provide training for our members who need it.”

AXSTanker is a set of up-to-date knowledge databases and high performance interactive tools designed for the specific needs of competitive tanker brokers. Several hundred individual shipbrokers use the AXSTanker suite to indicate the positions of some 8,000 ships, update tonnage, prepare position lists, or consult the tanker register, port database and distance tables and voyage calculators.

The exclusive membership of tanker brokerages votes to approve the admission of any new applicant. The recent and much-lauded additions to AXSTanker are AXSTanker and Gas Calculators which are tools allowing brokers and charterers to stop making all their calculations by hand or Excel. Instead, they can now use AXSTanker’s calculators to perform secure and simple T/C and freight calculations, automatically linking in information from the suite’s vessel, distance, port DA, draft, bunkers, and indices databases.

AXSTanker is a service provided by AXSMarine which is a leading provider of interactive, internet-based decision-making tools and databases for shipping industry professionals. AXSMarine’s online tools are secure, fast and easy to use, and the databases they source are always up to date. Because they are internet-based, they are available from any computer, anywhere; there is nothing to download or install.

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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release.
16 April 2010
Ref: 1021

A time saving and money making addition to database content offered by AXSMarine is due to go live this month and looks set to benefit charterers and brokers in ways that count.

AXS Dry Club subscribers are now able to view up-to-date chartering positions as part of their service for a small additional monthly subscription; companies who provide this information , need not be AXSDry subscribers, are able to benefit from additional marketing advantages by mailing their chartering positions free of charge to positions@axsmarine.com. The newservice has already undergone extensive market-place testing over the past six months and is proving beneficial to users and AXSDry Club contributors.

AXSDry is a complete set of online tools and databases designed for the dry bulk shipping industry. Hundreds of operators, brokers, charterers and financial institutions save time and effort by pooling their key vessel, cargo and calculation information in one place. Instead of manually searching for information, AXSDry subscribers have a complete view of the dry bulk shipping market, without having to sort through thousands of e-mails, or manage multiple programs.

Stephen Fletcher, AXSMarine’s Commercial Director, says the ‘AXSDry Club’ will save clients hours of manpower. “The great benefit for users of the AXSDry system is that they no longer have to manually input the information available through the Club – instead it is there for them at the click of a button.

“This service can benefit everyone” he explains, “We currently update some 800 individual ship positions each week, which we estimate represents roughly 25% of the spot market, and we are working diligently over the next month to improve the weekly quantity available.”

The benefits for brokers are obvious. Some brokers registered with AXSDry Club have already reported having made fixtures as a result of enquiries generated by the service and Stephen Fletcher points out: “One additional fixture could justify your annual expenditure on our service.”
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For further information please contact:
Elaborate Communications – www.elabor8.co.uk
Sean Moloney/Debra Munford +44 (0) 1296 682124
smoloney@elabor8.co.uk

/2 AXS DRY CLUB ADDITION SAVES TIME AND MAKES MONEY

Notes to Editors:

• AXS Marine’s interactive, internet-based software is designed with the vessel chartering sector in mind. It comprises multiple databases and tools specific to vessel and cargo chartering such as vessel and cargo fixtures, managing forward vessel and cargo positions, voyage estimations and comparisons, simultaneous multiple calculations, indices, a port library, port distance tables and many more. All the tools are fully interactive and backed up by extensive databases. They offer customers the possibility to selectively share their private information with anybody within the user community.
• AXSMarine’s online tools are secure, fast and easy to use, and the databases they source are always up to date. Because they are internet-based, they are available from any computer, anywhere; there is nothing to download or install.
• With AXSMarine, shipping industry professionals can transform their massive overload of raw data into useful, searchable information. As a result, they can work faster, manage more efficiently and make faster decisions. All of AXSMarine’s products enable users to securely and selectively manage, share, receive and publicise data with affiliates or partners. Users decide which information to share, and with whom, by simply clicking on easy-to-recognise symbols. AXSMarine employs state-of-the-art security to provide the highest integrity concerning the capture and maintenance of data.

 Leading global chartering software and database provider AXSMarine is to boost its presence in the European, Middle Eastern and Asian (EMEA) shipping markets by opening a new representative office in London on Monday, January 18^th. 

The new office, to be based at 60 Cannon Street in the heart of the City of London, will be headed up by Hugo Rousse who has relocated from AXSMarine’s Paris office. 

Hugo brings with him extensive knowledge of the EMEA chartering, broking and owning sectors and will lead a well resourced team that will support the needs of AXSMarine’s existing and potential client base in the regions. 

AXSMarine is the industry leader in easy-to-use interactive databases and online knowledge tools for charterers, owners and operators in the dry bulk, wet bulk, offshore, and liner shipping sectors. 

The London office will manage all of AXSMarine’s commercial activities for the EMEA markets. It will enable AXSMarine to better serve its large London and UK client base and provide it with the necessary focus to continue to grow its business in 2010 and beyond. Up to 50% of AXSMarine’s existing shipping clients are based in London and European centres so they will greatly benefit from the support the new London office will provide. 

Welcoming the opening of the Cannon Street office, Stephen Fletcher, AXSMarine Commercial Director, said: “Our London office will provide a vital role in providing sales and post sales support to our existing as well as potential client base. London is a very important shipping centre, for example the majority of the world’s broking houses are either headquartered here or have a presence here. Our London team will add that crucial hands-on element our clients need, whether it is on-site training, contract discussions or just keeping them abreast of latest developments or new products we may be launching.” 

Ends 

For further information please contact: 

Elaborate Communications – www.elabor8.co.uk
Sean Moloney/Debra Munford                                                    +44 (0) 1296 682124
smoloney@elabor8.co.uk