Traditional marine software applications assume that there is a clear distinction between a process and all of the supporting or concurrent events -- that the Technical Maintenance, Operational coordination, Quality Management and Commercial requirements are all separate. So software companies offer different applications for each of these specialisations, without considering the fact that these are interrelated functions that must communicate and coordinate with one another.
This is a bit like speaking separately to each one of the members in your team without ever meeting with the entire group.
A Personal Assistant
We believe that a modern information system must act as a personal assistant, helping each user to manage all the information relevant to his or her role, while simultaneously sharing data and interfacing with other users.
Ideally, software should "understand" you, your work and your goals so well that it acts as your agent, connecting you with all the electronic facilities that you need to accomplish your goals.
Role and Task Oriented Design
Keeping this in mind, all of our software is role and task based in design; depending on the user's role and the task he is about to perform, the user is presented with all the relevant information he may need to perform that task.
Entries in the company's ISM manual, forms and checklists, relevant information sent or filed in the past for either the office or the ship, any other software you may use -- all of the relevant information elements are immediately available to the user at the moment that he needs them.
©2001 Ulysses Systems