FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are we investing in a type-Approved PMS?
Yes. KOLBERN MAINTENANCE is Type-Approved PMS. Type Approved PMS gives you a reliable tool which is certified by Class. It also allows you to upgrade to Computerized CMS scheme, which has its own advantages.
Why KOLBERN SOLUTIONS?
KOLBERN SOLUTIONS is the result of years of conceptualization and you can see it clearly the very first time you see it. The solution is based on graphical desktops, best and experienced consultation, quick implementation and best support round-the-clock.
Can KOLBERN SOLUTIONS’ products be customized?
KOLBERN SOLUTIONS is a standard product but we do consider customizations. This is based on individual evaluations and practicality.
Are the products easily deployable?
Yes. It is as good as clicking a link.
What is the installation procedure?
Once the agreement is signed between KOLBERN SOLUTIONS and the Customer, the implementation proceeds through the following steps:
- Initial consultation
- Data Population and get the office and at least one ship database ready
- Office server installation (Customer premises or Kolbern Hosting, as per the agreement)
- Office users training
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
- Correct as per UAT results and Go Live
- Vessel Database creation from office database
- Export Jobs to vessel and Import Job Reports in office database till the vessel is installed. This allows the PMS to start working from Day1.
- Vessel implementation and training.
Is Disaster Recovery possible? If yes, how?
The office database backup happens every day and is automatic. The customer stores a copy of this backup file and some critical folders in a safe location (in case, KOLBERN SOLUTIONS is hosting the server, customer need not worry about this).
What if the installation on vessel stops working- How is the Disaster recovery for vessel installation?
Vessel application is not a problem at all. At any given time, office database has the latest data and so, the vessel database can be regenerated at any time. Considering replication of data between office and vessel happens twice a day, there could be a chance that maximum of half a day’s data on the vessel could be lost.
How often does the replication of data between office and vessel happen?
We recommend twice a day but the customer can prefer to have it more frequent.
In what form does the replication of data happen?
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.
Is the replication process manual or automated?
We recommend automatic process but manual process is also possible, especially in case of any urgency e.g., sending an urgent requisition or in case of an incident.
How fast can the KOLBERN SOLUTIONS system be implemented and ready to use?
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 as high as 2 weeks after the material for data population is received by KOLBERN SOLUTIONS.
How does KOLBERN SOLUTIONS train their new customers?
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.Lab exercises are different for office users and vessel users.
KOLBERN SOLUTIONS also believes in Train-the-Trainer concept and has a certification program for the trainer.
What training tools does KOLBERN SOLUTIONS use?
Lab-exercises for each module, one-page pictorial instructions for each individual topic, short videos for each individual topic
What if the company needs support?
There is one administrator from 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.
What about support onboard?
Any vessel queries are to be directed to customer’s office. KOLBERN SOLUTIONS only corresponds with its one-point contact appointed by the customer.
How often does KOLBERN SOLUTIONS have software updates?
Small updates may be released quarterly. Major updates may be release yearly.
What happens if there is a software update from KOLBERN SOLUTIONS?
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 sent to the customer and only the test environment can be updated with this patch. If the update applies to the customer, he/ she has to test it in Test environment, especially the updates requested by the customer.
Only after the customer agrees with the updates, the production updates are sent to the customer to put to use in Production environment.
What if there are other updates?
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 addresses by releasing a new patch, which would undergo the same implementation process as described above.
