ABS Nautical Systems has announced a new, direct-link e-procurement facility as an extension of the Purchasing & Inventory module of its integrated ABS-NS SafeNet fleet management system.The new e-procurement capability arose from client feedback at one of the regular Nautical Systems' user conferences and has been developed in partnership with existing SafeNet users to ensure its practicality. It is available for a one-time set-up fee and an annual fee to enable on-going support. No commissions on transactions are incurred by users.

"We have taken a different, more commercial approach to competing third party e-procurement programs that are on offer," said Nautical Systems President Jack Kitchura. "We have provided our clients with a means of directly communicating electronically with their already establishedsuppliers and vendors. Any purchase takes place solely between buyer and seller without any middleman commissions or transaction fees. We have taken the traditional purchasing relationship and automated it to provide a more efficient way of obtaining competing bids, more responsive service and a completely integrated purchasing process within the shipowner's fleetmanagement system."

A key component of the SafeNet e-procurement facility is that all users of the system provide the names and contacts of their vendors. Nautical Systems provides each of these vendors with the required communication applet at no charge, "Giving each e-procurement user access to an expanding pool of established suppliers vastly increases their choice, permitting multiple, timely and therefore more competitive, vendor quotes," said Kitchura.