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How to develop fleet management software for boats with professionals ?

Imagining and developing fleet management software for boats is far from an easy task. Each vessel is unique, and the wide variety of use cases complicates the consideration of different maritime and inland waterway stakeholders. We will explore how some CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software has been developed with the help of industry professionals to meet the needs of as many companies as possible.

Bateaux de fret dans un port

"Our needs are specific, we struggle to find software that matches our business."

The maritime and inland waterway sector is unique due to the diversity of stakeholders and types of boats. Activities are highly differentiated, and vessels must meet a range of requirements. To comply with these requirements, it is essential to organize effectively and, in the nautical sector, adhere to current regulations. The optimal way for both small and large companies to ensure they meet the imposed safety standards is to implement appropriate tools. One of the major tools in the maritime and inland waterway sector is, of course, CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software.


Les Vedettes de Paris devant la tour Eiffel

No regulations specify which tool to use for fleet maintenance tracking, even though global maritime authorities like the IMO (International Maritime Organization) or the RIF (Registre International Français) strongly recommend integrating management software to ensure vessel compliance. These software solutions perform numerous functions, whether you are navigating on the high seas or inland waters. But how do you find the most optimized software to meet your needs?


One of the major concerns among professionals is that existing software may either be overly specific and complex or, conversely, not sufficiently refined to address all the needs across various professions. Developing software that accommodates a wide range of use cases for diverse stakeholders is challenging. Therefore, it is crucial to immerse oneself in the field reality alongside these professionals.


Different uses according to the sector.

When discussing tools used to facilitate fleet management with professionals, two main observations emerge: either nothing is implemented, or what is in place is outdated and/or unsuitable. Needs vary greatly from one sector to another within the maritime industry. passenger transport companies, for example, have highly operational needs, requiring vessels ready for daily navigation. In yachting, there's a greater emphasis on organizational needs such as crew management, potential boat maintenance, and managing service providers. Meanwhile, transporting hydrocarbons involves extensive checks and maintenance of vessels to mitigate risks of accidents and leaks while ensuring the safety of the crew.


Navire de la Marine Nationale Française

Thus, it's evident that not all software solutions are suitable for every sector. Most large enterprises tend to develop custom software tailored specifically to their operations internally. For instance, the French Navy has developed their own software called SIGLe (Système d’Information pour la Gestion de la Logistique), which is exclusively used internally and addresses the specific challenges they encounter.


Despite the complexity involved in creating CMMS software, some companies opt to develop a custom solution "in-house". However, even with deep industry knowledge, developing such software can be quite challenging. Conversely, it's nearly impossible for a software development company to create a suitable tool without collaborating closely with professionals in the maritime industry.

Working with professionals from the industry

Some software has been directly designed by former professionals from the maritime industry, such as the software Plan M8, for example. Its founder, Chris Clarke, was a yacht engineer for over 12 years. Leveraging his qualifications and maritime experience, he and his team developed a CMMS tool specifically for the yachting sector. However, the system has its limitations; while well-suited for yachts, it may be less suitable for commercial vessels or marine construction projects.


The BoatOn Book: an example of co-development with influential stakeholders in the maritime and inland waterway sectors.

Created by BoatOn and initiated by Bertrand Gerbaud, the BoatOn Book is the result of close collaboration with professionals to meet their needs as effectively as possible. The initial observation was the lack of a simple and intuitive management software that could cater to both boaters and companies. It was in collaboration with Philippe Vignaux, the technical director of Wistream, a company specialized in technical management of vessels and yachts, that the software came to fruition.

Philippe faced the challenge in his work of juggling between different software solutions, none of which truly met his operational needs.


"I met BoatOn after several disappointments. Either the software didn't meet our expectations, or in terms of pricing, they were too expensive."


Collaborating with BoatOn, Philippe contributed his expertise to the development of the BoatOn Book. The goal was to ensure the software met his specific use cases while being adaptable to a wide range of needs. He aimed to simplify his requests for interventions (maintenance, repairs, modifications...) based on the boat's maintenance plan with service providers. This process was time-consuming, and despite using various software, none were truly suitable. The BoatOn Book saved him time by easily integrating his maintenance plan and being user-friendly without requiring extensive training.




"Where I saved time was being able to record and archive completed work. Across all three aspects of technical interventions: consultation, execution, validation, and archiving, I saved a significant amount of time."



The company focuses on meeting the expectations of professionals who need tools that simplify their lives. That's why BoatOn always listens to sailors, captains, mechanics, and boaters who have different requirements and evolve, contributing to the advancement of the BoatOn Book.


"One of the advantages is the team's ability to evolve and listen to our needs. Captains, chief engineers, managers like us often have specific needs or requests, and I appreciate that BoatOn listens to us to improve the software."


The latest feature of the BoatOn Book was born from the needs of a river company that wanted to digitize its logbook. As a reminder, the logbook is mandatory for commercially used vessels. Typically in paper format, it is cumbersome and time-consuming to fill out. This river company needed to simplify and automate the tracking of its voyages. After several months of development, the automatic logbook with AIS integration was released. Directly linked to your boat's maintenance logbook and AIS, it records all your voyages directly from your smartphone. Simply enter navigation information (boat captain and crew members, engine hours, and reserve levels), and you're ready to sail ! Your route, navigation data, and weather conditions are automatically logged in the BoatOn Book. You can even schedule maintenance and repairs in case of incidents during navigation. This new logbook meets regulatory requirements, prevents the loss or entry of inaccurate data, all while ensuring you focus on what matters most: sailing.



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