While the voting procedure for the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards is open, Nathan Seldon, Global Head of VMS Sales, Q88 LLC talks about its SaaS based ‘Voyage Management System’ for which Q88 LLC has been nominated in the ‘Technology’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. Mr. Seldon notes that ‘the shipping industry is more data centric than ever before’ and therefore, he encourages ship operators to embrace new technology by understanding that it is here to stay with the aim to improve safety and overall efficiency.
SAFETY4SEA: Your organization has been shortlisted for the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards in the ‘Technology’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. What is the background behind this nomination/shortlisting?
Nathan Seldon: Our true SaaS based Voyage Management System (Q88VMS) has been immensely popular over the last couple of years. This stems from our commitment to provide a cloud based collaborative platform that pulls together high volumes of data to create a simple yet accurate view of voyage performance. The shipping industry is more data centric than ever before, and I think customers are beginning to recognize the importance of quality accurate data. Our customers consistently look to us to provide the platforms that enable high quality data output which they can then leverage. Q88.com and Milbros.com are also great examples of where we allow our customers to leverage data to improve safety of their people through our ‘vetting analytics’ module and our ‘From/ To cleaning’ guides.
S4S: What is the key feedback from your existing & prospective clients on the barriers and drivers towards a more technology friendly future?
N.S.: I think the main barriers are fear of change and cost reduction. The main drivers are without a doubt gaining competitive edge and greater efficiency. For us, the world’s leading shipping companies in 10 years’ time with be those who get ahead of the Technology curve now. Those who ignore the benefits of technology will get left behind and/ or absorbed.
S4S: Do you have any new projects on the pipeline and/or plans, related with your safety performance that you would like to share with the industry?
N.S.:We’re committed to widening our offering within our platforms that are more targeted towards safety such as Risk analysis and vetting analytics. You can expect some very exciting value add features from us over the next 12-24 months.
S4S: If you could change one thing about the shipping industry, what would it be and why?
N.S.: Embrace and engage with new technology. Understand that technology is here to stay and companies cannot continue to grow and thrive with the same legacy systems/ spreadsheets that served them well 10 – 20 years ago.
S4S: What is your key message for enhancing safety culture onboard?
N.S.: Continue to seek answers to how technology can improve your safety and overall efficiency. There are so many software vendors in the market today – more than ever before. You’ll be amazed at the benefits they can add to your business and your people.
You may cast your vote for Q88 at 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards dedicated webpage till 7th of September 2018!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
