CNS

CNS has gone down the route of total change, rather than trying to keep its new system similar in look and feel to the old one.

“We took the view that we wanted to bring in a system that looks and feels very different and very much follows today’s processes,” says Andy Kinnell, the company’s director of IT Services. “We wanted something internet-based with browser technology, a system you can use on any PC anywhere. We decided on something that is intuitive – anybody who does online banking doesn’t have to be trained, and it is similar to that concept.”

The old CNS system had become outdated and because it was written in COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), any updates were time-consuming and cumbersome. CNS Compass is based on a logistics management package from Sterling Commerce, with CNS’ own development team building on this base, says Mr Kinnell.

“One of the key things is that CNS Compass will give us the opportunity to create more functionality – important in terms of the initiatives that Customs are taking on tightening up import security, for example.

“In addition, while the old system was via a fixed line into the customer’s office, now it can be accessed on any PC anywhere, subject to security access, of course.”

CNS Compass is being rolled out in stages. The process has started at the inland clearance depots served by CNS and will then move on to the ports of Immingham and Hull, where there is no issue interfacing with the terminal operating system (TOS).

Next will come DP World Southampton and Tilbury Container Services. CNS has 150 “inventory locations”, including other terminals, wharves and warehouses, 500 customers and 2,500 users.

CNS Compass may also give the firm the opportunity to expand outside the UK. In the future, we will look to external markets outside the UK with this system – certainly within Europe there are several opportunities,” says Mr Kinnell.