EPC (Express Port Community) system

Significant benefits experienced by customers after the implementation of our EPC system.

With the previous PortNet system, EDI processing speed was 1.6 sec/container, Conversely with EPC system, EDI processing speed of 0.16 sec/container; an increase in speed of about 10 times! Customers are able to receive their feedback reports much faster, resulting in higher operating efficiency. The performance of online services is also much higher than PN system.

1. EPC Background Introduction

EPC is a Web-based B2B port transportation eCommerce network. It provides the end users in shipping lines, shipping agents, transportation companies and container terminal etc. with accurate and shortest possible service routes, berth application, inward/outward manifest, electronic bay plan (EBP), electronic entry of export loading list (ELL), and entry/transfer/processing of yard reservation information for inward/outward container etc. The user-friendly system also provides the end users with detailed and accurate tracking statuses for vessels, containers and hauliers, enhancing the efficiency of document administration and the quality of port logistics service.

In 2005, redesign work on the data-processing flow was carried out, to support business requirements such as multiple-terminal, multiple-port, multiple-seaport and inter-terminal operations.

EPC meets the requirement for information interaction between many existing terminals and a new terminal.

2. EPC Operational Features

Supports multiple-seaport, multiple-port, multiple-terminal operations

Supports many user types; EPC administration, customs, inspection & quarantine, port authority, terminal user, shipping agent, shipping line, container holder, haulier, depot station, railway carrier, cargo agent users

Supports inter-port transfer operation

3. Superior features of EPC system

* Expandability; currently supports interfacing capability to 3 Container Terminal ERP systems; CITOS, COSMOS and TOP+
* Meets the EPC requirements for a new terminal operation and their customers, making the logical interface for their terminal services more flexible
* Supports new services; inter- terminal and intra-port transfer services
* High degree of stability, accuracy and intelligence; supports automatic data filing
* Effective user administration; provides monitoring and tracking information, event logs. Can also send real-time monitoring data via emails and short messages
* Fully utilize strengths of the Web; reduced operating and maintenance costs, making the product highly competitive
* Data integrity and high data transfer efficiency; customer satisfaction assured through efficient terminal operation.
* Single point of entry, centralized and secured user administration
* Single logon feature; users need to logon only once to access multiple functions
* User-friendly interfaces provide detailed status and tracking information for vessel, container and prime mover; increases the efficiency of documentation process and in turn enhances quality of port logistics services.

4. EPC Technology Application

The EPC system uses JAVA as the development language and has the following characteristics; it can run on diverse hardware platforms, has relatively strong security, object-oriented programming, efficient data enquiry, support for dynamic Web page and Web services etc. The system uses object-oriented design concepts to accomplish object-oriented programs and abstract business logic layers, making it highly adaptable to requirement changes. If there is a change in any business logic, an upgrade can be easily performed by modifying the relevant logical component within the system.

>> Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE)

>> Operating Systems

>> Relational Databases

>> 3^rd Party Products (LDAP, IBM MQ Series, Siteminder, Weblogic Server)

5. EPC Modular Integration

EPC is a Web-based B2B logistics electronic platform with no access limitation; accessible from any place with Internet connection. This user-friendly and system has won favorable comments from many users. As the port logistics business enters the information era and the Northeast Shipping Center develops, the strengths of EPC system will ensure its widespread usage.