Marine Management Software

- survey the equipment - serial numbers, models, etc.

- collect info from the manuals available, find those that are not available form the OEMs or the internet.

- collect past history data on the equipment - from engine room logs and from interviewing mechanics who have a lot of experience with the equipment about past problems, solutions and best practices,

- THINK about the business process - how is currently the information organized (most often there already are engine room logs, checklists and monthly reports), how to streamline the data handling that the mechanics are producing - in other words who is recording what and where, who receives the info, who inputs it into a system, who reviews it, how to ensure consistency and precision of the info, etc. How to get info OUT of the system...

- Pick a software, pay for it, test it, play with it, customize it if necessary. Alternatively, write the requirements for it and have the software built (Danger: expensive and risky!). Also, remember, it doesn't have to be software - paper systems, if well thought out, may be very robust, reliable and good, not so expensive, not dependent on any technology/operating system, vendor, etc. Paper has been around for a while...

- Test run it on a smaller scale, let the mechanics and all the personnel who will be involved in the PMS system to touch it and tell you what they think. Tweak the system based on the guys' input.

- Input the data collected in the first 3 items above into the system.

- Write user manuals, procedures, TRAIN everyone very well on how to use it, explain the benefits of the system, make sure everyone is onboard with it.

- Start using it, review results and tweak the system as necessary.