Get best practices on implementing a new system from various shipping companies using SERTICA today combined with our own experience implementing Ship Management Systems worldwide for more than 30 years.
This article presents 7 tips when implementing a new system. The implementation process is not described from A to B but with focus on topics that are often forgotten or not prioritized sufficiently.
7 tips to a Successful Implementation
- IDENTIFY important stakeholders
- ALLOCATE resources and competences
- A SPECIFICATION matching your needs
- COORDINATE the IT installation
- PRIORITIZE training
- PREPARE your data
- SEEK external inspiration
Tip 1: Identify important stakeholders
When you implement a Ship Management System it affects the entire organization, and it is therefore important to identify internal stakeholders early in the process. If you listen to your stakeholders and their requirements, they also take ownership of both the project and the system moving forward.

“We had several stakeholders involved both on an organizational and user level. We manage the ships, Stena RoRo owns the ships and Stena IT takes care of the IT infrastructure, so we included key people from all 3 organizations. I also recommend including both officers and superintendents early in the process to make sure that they understand the purpose and agree with the processes of SERTICA.”
Stena Marine Management, Fleet Manager
“Involving key stakeholders early allows you to discuss and update internal processes before building your data. This ensures correct use of the system and thereby optimal operations from day one.”
Peter Sundell, Procurement Manager at Cadeler
“We included 20 relevant people in the selection process to create ownership and commitment. For a system to be implemented successfully, it must be accepted, and the users need to understand the value that the system brings.”
EURONAV, Group IT Manager
“At our first kick-off meeting we invited people from 5 different locations to Norway. It is important that the project participants take ownership of the implementation and the system.”
Arne Arnesen, Project Manager at Gearbulk
Stakeholder requirements:
- IT Manager: Hardware, server and cloud solutions
- CEO: KPI’s in inbox and data in real-time
- CFO: Integration to financial system
- Superintendent: A simple system
- Procurement Manager: Automation of manual processes
- Safety Manager: Easy inspections and documentation
Tip 2: Allocate resources and competencies
A successful implementation of a Ship Management System depends entirely on having the right resources and competences present in the project internally and externally.