Ulysses - all operational data in one place, not e-mail + ERP

It is normal for people in maritime operations roles, on ship and shore, to manage their work today by e-mail and structured specialist software tools such as ERP. They receive e-mails when things have changed, and have to monitor their inboxes continuously. They also retrieve and enter data into structured software, such as ERP and maintenance management.

Work could be much more effective if people also had an online place where they could find their e-mails properly sorted, alongside their usual e-mail client. They could find out everything new relating to activities they are responsible for, and what new risks may be emerging, or problems they need to fix.

People responsible for certain company operations, such as procurement or vetting, or responsible for certain vessels, can login and see what is happening in their areas of responsibility on one screen, without needing to check e-mail or search structured software like ERP.

This is what maritime software company Ulysses Systems has built with its new product "Finder". The software is built around models of over 10,000 processes which commonly take place in maritime operations, such as to prepare for vetting inspections, fix defects, and do maintenance tasks. The model connects different common activities with common risks which may be involved. For example, if a certain delivery is delayed, it may lead to problems with vetting, statutory compliance, or commercial operations.

The system provides people managing a process, such as a last minute delivery, with a consolidated view of the situation, to help them assess risks.

Any e-mail coming into the company systems containing a status update can be indexed against specific nodes in the model, such as a delivery of lubricating oil to a certain vessel. When someone responsible for lubricating oils logs in, all the information is readily available.

The system is easy to navigate using voice commands as well as by text, because the model closely matches real operations, and so the computer has a good idea what someone might want to know about.

For example, the vessel may need an urgent replacement of the pressure control valve on a main engine fuel pump ahead of the next vetting inspection. When someone involved logs on and asks about the pressure control valve with a voice command, the information is immediately available. This is similar to how two people might bring up an issue with a valve and both immediately know which valve is being referred to.

The system does not replace the mailbox, ERP system and other structured software systems, but makes it much easier to navigate data from these systems, by extracting information and connecting it with the nodes in the model. For example, someone could order a replacement valve without having to navigate all the many different valve options in an ERP system.

The software is supported by AI tools, to match the emails to the 10,000 processes and assist in the textual and voice interface.