Technology provider Navis is set to eye more strategic growth and accelerate in port and terminals industry shift to Software as a Service (SaaS)-based technology solutions following its acquisition by Accel-KRR.
In a recent interview, PTI spoke to Navis CEO, Benoit de la Tour to learn more about what the future holds for the company and its customers around the globe.
“As a leading technology investor and investor in supply chain businesses, Accel-KKR has extensive experience with cloud and subscription-based models, understands what is required to accelerate growth, and can be a strategic partner for Navis’ business transformation within the cloud and beyond,” de la Tour said.
“With the acquisition complete, Navis and Accel-KKR are jointly focused on expanding Navis’ existing software portfolio, particularly in the areas of operational system optimisation, visibility and control, cloud technology and sustainability.”
De la Tour also confirmed that part of Accel-KKR’s aim will be to support strategic mergers and acquisition activity and provide the financial backing needed for Navis to pursue technology investments that – together with Navis’ existing software portfolio – bring even greater efficiency, control and predictability to ocean and landside logistics.
However, de la Tour noted that while Navis has near term aspirations, it will continue to operate business as usual.
Growth and investment
With the acquisition complete there de la Tour said the company is expected to grow in a number of ways.
“From a solutions-perspective, as mentioned, we will focus on innovating our existing technology solutions, as well as the addition of new value-add solutions and services to our portfolio over time,” he said.
“By introducing more powerful business intelligence and analytics capabilities, predictive visibility to see ahead of planned operations, new mobile applications improving vessel operations, reefer monitoring, and improved data services, we fully expect to continue growing our user footprint well beyond container terminals to support other critical entities involved in the movement of cargo through the supply chain globally.”
Navis has already been working on cloud-based technology and in late 2020 launched the N4 Terminal Operating System (TOS) as a cloud-based solution. Since then, more than 50 customers now used Navis applications via the Navis cloud.
Under the new ownership de la Tour said, “there will certainly be an acceleration of the move to cloud technology”. This includes with existing solutions like N4 SaaS and Octopi, as well as new innovations that are being developed over time.
The company will continue to introduce new capabilities alongside moving more of its solutions to the cloud.
