Tide spoke to Gabi Scott to gain some insight into Project Sonic as Trade Ocean steps forward into the future.  

WHAT INSPIRED THE NAME? 

The name Project Sonic was inspired from Sonic the Hedgehog, who moves at supersonic speeds and has a “get it done” attitude! 

IS IT REPLACING THE CURRENT SYSTEM & PROCESS? 

Yes, the implementation of NetSuite will replace current financial and operational systems.   

IN A NUTSHELL, WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS OF PROJECT SONIC? 

–  We have outgrown our current systems – we want to grow and improve.   

–  Reduced manual processes, meaning less errors and reworks 

–  Improved real-time visibility of information, complex financial reporting and consolidation processes. 

THE PROJECT THUS FAR? 

The project has already been underway for a number of number of months. The initial phases involved investigating the business need and determining a best-fit for Trade Ocean. Once NetSuite was selected, a thorough analysis phase was conducted. We are now in the final stages of this phase, after which a more detailed development and implementation plan will be produced. 

WHO IS DRIVING THE PROJECT?  

David Jooste, Bogdan Kotchoubei and Simon Sun are the project sponsors. They will steer Project Sonic and oversee project direction. Candice Ingham is the Project Manager – she will be coordinating, troubleshooting and generally keep us all moving forward. 

WHERE WILL THE MOST IMPACT BE FELT? 

NetSuite is an ERP which runs across all functional business areas so pretty much every area of the business will be impacted. The way we work will change in Ships Agency, Clearing & Forwarding and Finance. 

WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS? 

In simple terms, a key objective of these changes will be to ensure we have the correct information to hand at the right time to enable us to correctly and efficiently manage our projects and our finances. This means people will have to enter information into the system timeously and accurately, in order for this information to flow through to the next stage of the process. However good the system is, the success of the project depends on all of us embracing the change and delivering the substantial benefits of Project Sonic.  

IS THERE A TRAINING PROGRAMME? 

Very definitely! Workshops and training will be provided to everyone who will need to use the system, and even those who may not use it but who just need to understand how the business is changing.

Thanks Gabi – way to go!