Port Computer Services Limited (PCS) has found a niche for itself in providing Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and support systems for the local port community and the wider Caribbean maritime community.

PCS, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, was established in 1981 as the primary supplier of information technology services to the Jamaican shipping industry. PCS holds the distinction of being the pioneer in the computerization of the Port of Kingston, the Region's and, indeed, one of the Hemisphere's premier and most strategically located transhipment ports.

With 23 employees and two locations in Newport West, Kingston, PCS currently provides outsourcing and software services to approximately 30 entities in the shipping industry and is especially focused on application hosting, systems development and maintenance, hot site (backup) services, internet and network services. Its technical capacity includes AS400, Intel Servers and Windows based systems.

With burgeoning competition and constantly changing technology, the company has been visionary in implementing changes and adopting systems to ensure its survival and viability for the long haul. While PCS has the advantage of being in close proximity to customers, the management is convinced it will take much more than this to effectively serve customers and provide customer satisfaction.

“Our customers are very demanding and this keeps us on our toes. They expect us to look for trends in the Shipping and IT industries and recommend new technologies that can help to improve the efficiency of their operations. They also expect a quick resolution of any technical problems they may have,” observes Mr. Roger Lewis, General Manager of PCS.

He notes that in order to meet the expectations of customers “we have to get very close to them, understand their operations and suggest solutions that will meet their objectives”. This strategy has been crucial in the company's operation.

“For our major customers we have a zero down-time agreement, as any failure in the IT infrastructure can lead to millions of dollars in lost man hours,” says the General Manager, who indicated that being proactive in its infrastructure development helps the company to meet this high standard.

PCS has always aggressively pursued the acquisition and utilisation of the industry's leading technologies and over the years the company has played an integral role in the technical development of the shipping industry. It efforts have included:

• Sourcing, implementation and hosting of the Cosmos Terminal Operation Software suite for the Kingston Container Terminal
• Application hosting for thirty companies.
• Implementation of a 24X7X365 technical support infrastructure to support its customers operations
• Development and Maintenance of Software Applications for twenty companies
• Development of e-manifest software for customers to meet the requirements of the Customs Department.
• Implementation of a real-time (hot backup) facility that will allow customers to switch to a remote site in case of disaster
• Implementation of Industry-wide Internet Services
• Providing Network Installation and Administration Services
• AS400 Business Continuity Services

A board comprising Chairman Grantley Stephenson, Harry Maragh, Roger Hinds, Trevor Riley, and Beverley Williamson manages PCS. The head office is located on the SAJ Building - the contact details are given below:

Port Computer Services Limited (head office)
4 Fourth Avenue
Newport West
Kingston 15.
Telephone: (876) 923-125, 923-1230, 923-7022
Facsimile: (876) 923-4233
e-mail: pcs@portsofjamaica.com

Port Computer Services Limited
Kingport Building
Third Street
Kingston 15.
Telephone (876) 923-7023, 923-1206, 901-0327