FAQ — Maritime Software Solutions

Question 1

Are we investing in a type-approved PMS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. KOLBERN MAINTENANCE is a Type-Approved PMS. Type Approved PMS gives you a reliable tool which is certified by Class. It also allows you to upgrade to the Computerized CMS scheme, which has its own advantages.

Question 2

Why KOLBERN SOLUTIONS?

Accepted Answer

KOLBERN SOLUTIONS is a web + mobile solution and is the result of years of conceptualization — you can see it clearly the very first time you see it.

Question 3

Can KOLBERN SOLUTIONS' products be customized?

Accepted Answer

KOLBERN SOLUTIONS is a standard product but we do consider customizations. This is based on individual evaluations and practicality.

Question 4

Are the products easily deployable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In fact, no deployment is needed on user computers.

Question 5

What is the installation procedure?

Accepted Answer

Once the agreement is signed between KOLBERN SOLUTIONS and the Customer, the implementation proceeds through the following steps:
1. Initial consultation
2. Data Population — get the office and at least one ship database ready
3. Office server installation (Customer premises or Kolbern Hosting, as per the agreement)
4. Office users training
5. User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
6. Correct as per UAT results and Go Live
7. Export Jobs to vessel and Import Job Reports in office database until the vessel is installed — this allows the PMS to start working from Day 1
8. Vessel implementation and training

Question 6

How fast can the KOLBERN SOLUTIONS system be implemented and ready to use?

Accepted Answer

The office database implementation depends only on the time it takes to build one vessel database. In case the Procurement module is not bought by the client, it could be as low as a week after the equipment list is received by KOLBERN SOLUTIONS. In case of spare parts data population, it could be as high as 2 weeks after the material for data population is received.

Question 7

How often does the replication of data between office and vessel happen (in case the vessel does not have the recommended internet speed)?

Accepted Answer

We recommend twice a day but the customer can prefer to have it more frequent.

Question 8

In what form does the replication of data happen?

Accepted Answer

Replication of data happens via Excel, password-locked files in a zip format. The zip format can be renamed as per customer requirement if security rules require this. The files are generated and sent automatically using a separate mail address for replication.

Question 9

Is the replication process manual or automated?

Accepted Answer

We recommend an automatic process, but a manual process is also possible — especially in case of any urgency, e.g., sending an urgent requisition or in case of an incident.

Question 10

How does KOLBERN SOLUTIONS train their new customers?

Accepted Answer

The application has a real-time training guide built-in. KOLBERN SOLUTIONS is a staunch believer of training. There is initial classroom training for users with proper lab-exercises to follow for each individual module. KOLBERN SOLUTIONS also believes in the Train-the-Trainer concept and has a certification program for the trainer.

Question 11

What training tools does KOLBERN SOLUTIONS use?

Accepted Answer

Lab-exercises for each module, one-page pictorial instructions for each individual topic, and short videos for each individual topic.

Question 12

What if the company needs support?

Accepted Answer

There is one administrator from the customer side who is a one-point contact for KOLBERN SOLUTIONS. He/she can raise the support issue with KOLBERN SOLUTIONS. Email is the medium KOLBERN SOLUTIONS follows for support. KOLBERN SOLUTIONS will supply the support email address along with the KOLBERN SOLUTIONS support engineer name.

Question 13

What about support onboard?

Accepted Answer

Any vessel queries are to be directed to the customer's office. KOLBERN SOLUTIONS only corresponds with its one-point contact appointed by the customer.

Question 14

How often does KOLBERN SOLUTIONS have software updates?

Accepted Answer

Small updates may be released quarterly. Major updates may be released yearly.

Question 15

What happens if there is a software update from KOLBERN SOLUTIONS?

Accepted Answer

The customer is notified of the update and the details of what is new in the update in the form of the update release document and video. This is updated in the test environment and if the update applies to the customer, he/she has to test it in the Test environment — especially the updates requested by the customer. Only after the customer agrees with the updates, the production environment is updated.

Question 16

What if there are other updates (Windows, MS Office, etc.)?

Accepted Answer

Every new update to Windows or MS Office is tested to work with the KOLBERN SOLUTIONS suite. Any updates to internal tools used by KOLBERN SOLUTIONS are also tested thoroughly. Discrepancies, if any, will be addressed by releasing a new patch, which would undergo the same implementation process as described above.

Got Questions? We Have Answers.

General

Still Have Questions?

Talk to Sales

Call Us

Email Us

Ready to see Kolbern for yourself?