OTAL To Invest $5 million in New IT System

The Bolloré Maritime Division (BMD) is investing USD 5 million in a new software management system called iQ-Ship. As a group company OT Africa Line (OTAL) will benefit from this system, which is designed to enhance the quality of service provided to its customers worldwide. Qiva Inc, a leading producer of supply chain logistics and global transportation management systems, has developed the system. iQ-Ship will enable OTAL to simplify and automate several internal processes. This will reduce the time and costs required to execute OTAL?s commercial, logistics and financial functions and allow staff more time meeting customers' needs. OTAL's marketing manager, Rachel Bennett, said: "We were impressed by the product's depth as well as Qiva's history and proven expertise in providing state-of-the-art systems. OTAL is dedicated to providing excellent customer service; this new system will enable us to become even more proactive in our dealings with our customers. By integrating all the facets of our business and operational processes, iQship will enable us to improve our customer service, productivity and financial performance. The new automated system will eliminate double keying errors and will be able to provide accurate and immediate visibility of information between agents and the line." During 2002, OTAL plans to deploy the application in several phases beginning with line activities. This is scheduled to be complete by spring/early summer and will then be extended to cover the European agency network, the target completion date being the end of 2002. iQ-ship will then be implemented throughout OTAL's Asian and African networks during 2003. When fully deployed, approximately 1,200 BMD employees and agency users will be able to access the application.