Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement has chosen EDB ErgoGroup's MarineLink eCommerce service, provided in collaboration with WSS.

13 oktober 2011 (Oslo, October 13, 2011) Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, a global leader in Shipmanagement, has in collaboration with WSS chosen MarineLink eCommerce for its SDCs globally. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement manages a fleet of more than 650 vessels out of which over 300 vessels are under full management. Last year EDB ErgoGroup purchased Wilhelmsen Ships Service's eCommerce solution, MTS, and has integrated it into its advanced eCommerce platform and has already added new functionality for invoice processing and logistics integration. Due to this proven commitment to further improve the Marine shipping specialties within their eCommerce offering, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement has made the decision to take full advantage of the MarineLink eCommerce service provided by EDB ErgoGroup. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement is a highly integrated maritime services company and a market leader in quality, versatility and fleet size, and manages a fleet of more than 650 ships of which over 300 vessels are under full management. The Group Director - Supply Chain Management, Dr. Ruanthi De Silva commented: "Professional eCommerce delivery by MarineLink will clearly advance our procurement process resulting in improved efficiencies and reduced cycle times. Not only would it bring about time and cost efficiencies, it will also help us monitor and further improve our procurement strategy through reporting tools. We are confident that selecting an eCommerce leader and the MarineLink service will support our future electronic procurement needs at a quality we expect." In an era of extremely high demand for shipping skills, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement provides an unparalleled concentration of shore and ship-based maritime and engineering expertise. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains the highest degree of operational and safety integrity of the fleet through its Service and Crew Delivery Centers in over 25 countries around the globe. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement intends to utilize MarineLink to implement the following eCommerce functionality towards its suppliers: * Efficient and high quality electronic eCommerce processes for handling requisitions, quotes, orders and order confirmations * Receiving and processing of electronic invoices with attachments * Self Service eCommerce tools for statistics and control * eCommerce reporting tools on KPI's Siri Jacobsen, Vice President Strategic Marketing and Business Improvement at Wilhelmsen Ships Service, commented on the contract that "We at Wilhelmsen Ships Service are very happy that such a large customer as Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement has chosen MarineLink. We feel it proves us right when we sold our solution (MTS) to an eCommerce specialist such as EDB ErgoGroup. The MarineLink platform benefits from its large scale eCommerce operations and it is more functionally rich than any other eCommerce solution in the marine segment." Terje Mjøs, CEO of EDB ErgoGroup, added "Most businesses are international, and the shipping industry is one of those that are highly dependent on effective integrated value chains. By providing the MarineLink service, EDB ErgoGroup takes a worldwide responsibility to support our customers in their international business. This new contract with Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement shows that by supporting our current customers internationally, we prove to all their business partners that our solutions and services can compete with any other international player." "More than 3 000 vessels are now trading through MarineLink, and the eCommerce solution is managing more than 15 000 integrated businesses performing over 250 million eCommerce transactions annually, which allows both buyers and suppliers to efficiently process orders, requests for quotes and invoices through a single, electronic connection", says Jonny Lotten, Head of eCommerce Department in EDB ErgoGroup. Present in the picture are Dr. Ruanthi De Silva from Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (middle), along with Mr. John Inge Røtting from Wilhelmsen Ships Service (left) and Jonny Lotten from EDB ErgoGroup (right). For further information, please contact: Jonny Lotten, Head of eCommerce Department in EDB ErgoGroup. Tel: +47 918 80 941 Torgeir Kristiansen, Information Director Corporate Communications, EDB ErgoGroup. Tel: +47 901 27 909 About EDB ErgoGroup EDB ErgoGroup ASA is one of the leading Nordic IT companies, with approximately 10,000 employees and an annual turnover of USD 2 billion. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and operates from head quarters in Oslo with major activities in both the Norwegian and Swedish markets. In all, the company operates from 135 offices in 16 countries around the world. BSM_contract (JPG): http://hugin.info/194/R/1554559/479308.JPG This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: EDB ErgoGroup ASA via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1554559]