An ERP approach for container terminal

operating systems

The major characteristics of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) are an

enterprise-wide system that covers all the business functions and information
resources, integrated database, built-in best industry practice, packaged software
and open architecture. ERP enables reduction of system development time,
flexibility, standardization of workflow and effective business planning capability.
ERP is mainly for the manufacturing industry. However, the principles of ERP
can also be applied to container terminal operating systems. This paper presents
an ERP system approach for a container terminal. It has clustered the workflow
of a container terminal and analysed the business process to generate the best
workflows. The integrated database is designed to eliminate redundancy and keep
integration. The core of ERP for container terminal is the planning facility such
as berth planning and yard planning. The planning capability is very tightly
coupled with data flow from client entities such as shipping companies. The
ERP can handle the existing problems of container terminal operation that are
mainly caused by lack ofi ntegration of a whole information resource in a
container terminal, ad-hoc and poor planning capability, disconnected and
incorrect data from client companies. The ERP approach can not only resolve
the problems of container terminals but also promote adoption ofi nformation
systems for container terminals in the world that have not yet implemented
terminal operating systems.

1. Introduction
Recently, vessels are becoming more large-scale and high-speed because of the
increasing quantity of cargo transported, shipper’s requirements for lower transpor-
tation fee and shipping companies’ effort toward retrenchment of transport cost
per shipping unit. Furthermore, shipping companies become more interested in
maximizing vessel turnover by minimizing the length of staying time at ports for
economical reasons.
These situation forces rival terminal companies to develop into the latest tech-
nology ofl oading and unloading, as well as the renovation of their terminal facilities
in order to reduce the length of staying time of vessels at their terminals. The efficient
operation of terminals is another very important factor that is very necessary for
improving the competitive status and productivity in the fierce competitive environ-
ment between container terminals. However, the investment in software systems for
the efficient operation of a terminal and its standardization has been relatively
neglected compared with the large investment in the expansion of terminal facilities
and infra-structure.
Usually, each terminal developed their own terminal operating systems by order-
ing them from a software development company. Therefore, each terminal’s opera-
tion system is different from each other. Gamman container terminal, in the Port of
Busan, is the typical example of the situation. There are four different terminal
operating systems, because four different shipping companies operate the terminal [1].
This paper’s purpose is to explore the way to develop ERP systems for container
terminals in order to reduce the development time by standardization and increase
the software quality. The ERP system is a general purpose and integrated operating
system to fully utilize and cover all the information resources and business operation
in an enterprise, packaged software with built-in business process model, and has an
integrated database and open architecture. Existing ERP systems are mainly for the
manufacturing industry. However, it also has important features such as integrated
database and operating system, and it has the capability of curtailment of developing
time and retrenchment of developing cost. So, the ERP concept can also be applied
to a container terminal operating system.
With this background, this paper suggests a container terminal ERP system that
can solve problems of existing container terminal operating systems such as high
developing cost, prolonged developing time and non-integration. For this purpose,
one has analysed the existing terminal business processes to produce a new one for
reducing data redundancy, and suggested an ERP framework for the integrated
terminal operating system.

2. Container terminal operating system and ERP system

2.1. Container terminal operating system
Container terminal operating systems are necessary and should be prepared for
the efficient operation of the container terminals and to raise service levels for the
customers of container terminals.
Computerized container terminal operating systems have functions and roles as
follows [2]:
(1) Manage the flow of containers through the terminal by relocating the
containers in the right places in the most efficient manner;
(2) Plan loading/unloading schedule and yard transfer operation by receiving
information from shipping companies, describing position of containers on
vessel coming into the port and which ones need to be taken off at the
terminal;
 ERP approach for container terminal operating systems

(3) Process the containers transported into the terminal by rail or road, receiv-
ing notification from shipping companies and trucking companies about
them; and
(4) Notify shipping companies and trucking companies about the locations of
containers.
Most container terminal operating systems consist of separated functional modules.
The modules are database module, planning module for loading/unloading
sequences from vessels and movements of containers through the yard and control
modules for operating processes [3].

2.2. The current state of container terminal operation

Referring to the reports from Cargo Systems, a port consulting institution for the
status of container terminal operation abroad [3], one has made in-depth interviews
with the operation managers of the terminals for the current conditions of Korean
container terminals. Container terminal operating systems consist of main service
modules and added service modules. The main service modules are EDI systems for
communication and exchange ofi nformation with outer institutions, yard planning
and vessel planning systems, loading and unloading operation systems, systems for
billing, gate systems and wireless communication systems.
The added service modules are advanced modules that combine information
processing technology and intelligent processing in a system. The examples are
container location and tracing systems at the Kolka terminal in Finland and
automatic recognition system of container numbers at the gate [3].

2.3. Characteristics of ERP

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a management technique implemented with
information technology for all the business process of an enterprise such as
manufacturing, materials, distribution, sales and financing processes. It covers all
the functions of an enterprise as an enterprise-wide solution by integrating the
management resources as a whole through business process reengineering. It is a
strategic approach to harmonize information technology and business rather than
with only an information technology level [4].
ERP systems can be developed by adopting ERP packages adjusting parameters
and customizing to fit for user companies. Currently, most companies adopt the
ERP package in developing ERP systems, because the ERP package has many
advantages such as retrenchment of developing cost and reducing risks as well
as rapid adjustment and fully utilizing the most recent information technology to
be implemented in the ERP package [5]. As shown in table 1, ERP systems are
characterized by the aspects ofi nformation exchange, information sharing and
information service.
In the aspect ofi nformation interchange, ERP has linkage with EDI; open archi-
tecture that enables exchange ofi nformation of different format and compatibility
with different system software and platforms; globalization that implements global
standards and best practice with multiple languages. In the aspect ofi nformation
sharing, ERP can integrate and standardize business processes, link with group-
ware and EIS (Executive Information Systems). Therefore, ERP can make
personnel in charge do real-time processing of business transactions with a lightened
workload.
 Table 1. The characteristics of the ERP system.
C l assi ficati on C har acter i sti cs of E R P system

Information interchange . EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) connection

. Open system
. Globalization
Information sharing . One fact one place (Integrated Task System)
. Standard business process model
. Groupware connection
. EIS (Executive Information System) function
Information service . End-user computing
. Integrated database

In the aspect ofi nformation services, ERP integrates a variety source ofi nfor-
mation in an enterprise and share the information in the whole levels of business
processes. So, ERP can reuse information and simplify workloads raising efficiency
of workflow.

3. The ERP system for container terminal

Even though container terminal operating systems are currently being used, the
systems can be enhanced in the aspects of open system architecture, global best
practice, integration of operation, standardization of business process, friendliness
of user interface, SCM (Supply Chain Management) compatibility, decision support
and high-speed network.
This chapter will discuss the shortage of current terminal operating systems such
as insufficient functions, inconvenient user interface, disconnection of data flow and
business process and non-standardization of operation and will discuss how to
improve these problems.

3.1. Analysis of existing terminal operating systems and problems

From May–July 2018, personnel in charge of the operating terminal operating
systems of a terminal in the Port of Busan, Korea were met. The terminal operating
systems and their design manuscript were examined and the following problems were
found.

3.1.1. Problems in the view ofi nterconnection with outer institution.

(1) Vessel and berth planning.Weekly-based notice of vessel arrival/departure for
the vessel planning is given. However, shipping companies frequently change
these schedules and this lowers the efficiency of the planning. The results
of berth plan of the terminal operating systems are informed to shipping
companies via fax or telephone call without using EDI. This means that the
utilization of EDI is not sufficiently implemented.
(2) Booking prospect information and yard planning.The booking prospect for
terminal the shipping companies inform before the arrival of the containers
has information such as numbers of containers per size, type and destination.
However, this information is not always correct and the containers do not
arrive at the right time and that lowers the efficiency and the utilization rate
of the yard and equipments.
 ERP approach for container terminal operating systems 201

(3) Container arrival pre-notification. The container arrival pre-notification

should be transmitted before the arrival of the container-carrying trailers
for the automation of the gate-in process. However, if the EDI is not
available for the trucking companies, the transmission of container arrival
pre-notification has to be processed by hands, delaying gate-in processing.
(4) Arrivals after the deadline. Arrival of containers after the deadline at
the container terminal makes loading/unloading planning and operation
ineffective.
(5) Lack ofi ntegration with outer information systems. The information systems
of shipping companies and trucking companies may lack some functions and
data so that the system sends information missing some items. In this case,
the terminal has to re-enter the missing data lowering the efficiency of data
processing and, even worse, causes incorrect processing.
The major missing data is whether a container is bypassing the terminal. The lack of
this information causes the loading planning system difficulties to calculate the
stability of the ship.

3.1.2. Problems in the view ofi nterconnection between departments in a container

terminal.
(1) Lack of systematic managing of unexpected cases.When exceptional cases
happen, the situation is reported to control office via telephone or voice
and there may be conflict in decision rerouting to cope with the situation
lowering efficiency of the terminal operation.
(2) Lack ofi nterconnectivity because of the excessive fragmentation of business
processes. It is difficult for personnel to cooperate with each other when they
are processing inter-related works because of the excessive fragmentation of
businesses and responsibilities.
(3) Insufficiencies of the unloading orders. The unloading planning system
cannot generate detail orders so the field personnel has to decide detail
operation with their own judgement that may cause re-planning and
re-handling of operations and waste of resource and lowering of confidenti-
ality of the terminal operation.

3.1.3. Problems in the view of system integration. Whether a container terminal

operating system is integrated or not is very tightly related to the quality ofi ts
database design. However, the current fact that each application has its own data-
base can cause redundancy and inconsistency of database. This also causes delay of
updating.
(1) Independent operation of process that is tightly coupled. Berth planning, yard
planning, vessel planning and railway transport planning are very closely
related processes. However, the processes are independently executed and
that causes waste of computing resources and difficulty in consistent usage
and system management. Lack of standards in business processes make it
difficult to interconnect related operations and to set up a clear boundary
and interface for each operation. The lack of standards in business processes
is one reason of conflicts between departments. A typical example of this case
 is that the registration of the vessel arrival date, berth schedule and unload-
ing time is not automatically connected with equipment operation scheduling
and manpower planning
(2) Lack of integrated operation of yard and ship operation. The yard operation
system and ship operation system is independently implemented. If some
congestion or exceptional situation occurs in one operation, the other opera-
tion system may not be controllable.

3.1.4. Problems in the view of optimal planning and simulation function. The current
way of planning depends on human judgement and manual operation that causes a
delay of planning process and mistrust of the result concerning its optimality.
Personnel in charge are required to plan manually and that causes a time delay.
Manual planning may cause mistakes and make it hard to maintain the consistency
and the stability of the planning. Time delay and error in planning is a critical
factor that lowers competitive power of container terminals and may cause a loss
of physical and non-physical terminal resources.
(1) Lack of simulation function. It is difficult to predict the actual situation of
operation and preparation of exceptional or undesirable accidents because of
the lack of simulation functions for the system that simulate ship stability,
state of equipment such as container crane and transfer crane, interference
between operation and line of moving.
(2) Lack of automation of planning function. Berth planning and yard planning
are performed by personnel based on their experience. A lack of optimiza-
tion and automation of planning function lowers the efficiency of terminal
operation [6].
(3) Utilization of material and personnel resource.Lack of a planning system for
optimal allocation of equipment and personnel resource by capturing the
correct status and situation of the resources lowers the efficiency of terminal
operation.

3.1.5. Problems in the view of management decision support and information service.
(1) Lack of decision support and knowledge sharing. Current terminal operat-
ing systems are online transaction processing systems. The system dumps
out the data that has expired into a separate database used only for trans-
action evidence and statistics. Therefore, there are no decision support
functions by multidimensional analysis and knowledge accumulation and
sharing.
(2) Information service for customers. The system also lacks in information
service for customers by a single point of contact. Customers’ inquiries
about their cargo processing status via telephone increase the cost of
personnel as well as lower the quality of the information service level.
Based on the analysis so far, the problems of current container terminal operating
systems were summarized as shown in table 2. It has been found that the main causes
of problems are information interconnection, information sharing and information
service. One will try to find solutions to the problems by linking the causes with
ERP characteristics.
 ERP approach for container terminal operating systems

Table 2. The problems of an operating system.

Characteristics of ERP
Information Information Information
Problem interchange sharing service

Information connection with outside parties

Business connection among
departments in container terminal
Integration of system function
Optimal planning and simulation function
Management decision support and
information service

3.2. Container terminal ERP system approach

This paper will now approach the current problems of container terminal operating
systems by use of ERP and discuss the ways of solving the problems.

3.2.1. Information interconnection with outer institutions of a terminal. There are

two main problems that arise in the view ofi nterconnection with outer institution of
a terminal. First, the data from the outer institution such as shipping companies is
incorrect, not transmitted. Also, the data is fed repeatedly or omitted because the
internal information systems of the outer institution are not integrated into the EDI
system.
Secondly, the current EDI system is based on VAN/EDI using X.25. The fees of
the transmission VAN/EDI and the leasing of communication lines are so expensive.
For this reason, the expansion of the EDI is difficult. Delay and reluctance
of adopting EDI cause poor interconnection between the outer institution and
terminals.
The problems can be approached by using both XML/EDI, based on the Internet,
and VAN/EDI, based on X.25. XML becomes the new standard of data transmis-
sion through the Internet. However, VAN/EDI is still the existent standard that
current personnel in charge are already familiar with. Therefore, in the short-term
approach both XML/EDI and VAN/EDI are installed in the container terminal
ERP, so the outer institution can choose what they are equipped with. The ERP
system has modules that handle XML/EDI messages by translating and managing it.
The outer institutions also have the client version of container terminal ERP, so the
institutions can send XML/EDI messages to terminals and integrate their internal
information systems with it. The standard format of XML/EDI can be spread to
outer institutions from a terminal so the outer institution does not have to worry
about the change of message format.

3.2.2. Business connection among departments in a container terminal.The prob-

lems in interconnection of business process between departments in a container
terminal are mainly caused by a lack of standard of business process. When a
terminal opens, the terminal operating systems opens at the same time. Therefore,
the operation system’s operation procedures become the terminal’s business
processes. When a new terminal operating system opens, the new terminal operating
system may analyse or benchmark the existing operation systems and adopt
the system flow. Therefore, the main system flow may be inherited to following
204

terminal systems only after revising parts of the system while maintaining the
skeleton. When new requirements for integration or new business flow arise, it
is remedied by performing a partial revision of the existing terminal systems.
The insufficiency of system coverage over newly emerged business processes
causes conflicts between departments and ad hoc procedures that are far from
standard processes.
The problem can be solved with an ERP system that can have characteristics of
completeness, consistency, cohesiveness and integration. After business process
reengineering, the ERP system can suggest an optimal enterprise-wide integrated
business process.
Another advantage of ERP is that the maintenance is fully supported by the
software development company, including version upgrade and configuration
following new information technology and business requirement. This point is
very different from the existing container terminal operating systems where the
internal staff personnel of the terminal have the duty of maintainance.

3.2.3. Integration of system functions. The necessity of database sharing among

users to implement system integration of functions has already been discussed.
Following consideration, it is a necessary as well as a common database. First, the
database should satisfy criteria of availability by supplying data from related tables
when an independent process requires the data. Secondly, the database should keep
entity integrity and referential integrity to maintain the whole database error free [7].

3.2.4. Optimal planning and simulation functions. It is necessary to design a berth

planning module that adopts constraints and objects to determine optimal berth plan
and container crane assignment and schedule. It is required to develop an heuristic
programme to assign orders of values of variables to minimize calculation time of the
modules.
For the yard planning, it is necessary to assign yard bays to containers according
to types of containers to maximize yard operation efficiency. The loading and
unloading plan for a vessel requires scheduling of the operation sequences of
container cranes to minimize operation time and interference from other container
cranes. The plan should cope with an abnormal situation and re-plan to adjust it
promptly.

3.2.5. Management decision support and information service for customers. Online
analytical processing by multidimensional analysis such as usage rate by berths,
mechanical trouble rate by equipment, processing time and processing cargo amount
by season is necessary to support the decision-maker and manager for their effective
strategic decision-making. Visualization, prompt response time and easy to use are
important requirements for executives [8].
Information services for customers require tracing cargo location and status func-
tions in ERP systems. Customers can contact the information in one contact point.
The system can be implemented by Web, CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) or
ITI (Internet Telephony Integration).

3.3. The composition of a container terminal ERP system

An ERP system is a set of programmes to be used according to separated functions.
It consists off unctional modules. The main modules of the ERP package applied to
 ERP approach for container terminal operating systems

Planning Operation BAPLIE

BKPROS Planning Operation
S COPRAR
COPRAR
H Berth
Berthplanning
planning
I CLL
CLL Overall
OverallControl
Control
P
P CODECO
I CODECO Yard
Yardplanning
planning
N
G BAPLIE
BAPLIE
Load/Unload
V
Load/Unload Load/Unload
Load/Unload
C planning
planning Yard
Yardoperation
operation
operation
operation Gate
Gate
operation
operation Rail
Rail
operation
operation E
O
M CNTR
COPINO S
P Rail
Railplanning
planning
A S
N
Y Resource
Resourceallocation
allocation E
planning
planning
L

T CFS operation Operation

Operationsupport
support
R
U
C Equipment
Equipment Business Communications
Communications
K activity
I
N Freight Export
Exportfreight
freight Import
Importfreight
freight Stock
Stockononhand
hand
G Info . Logistics
Billing
Billing information
C
O
M
P
A
N Management
Management
Y

Financial
Financial Material/ Environment/
Environment/
Human
Humanresource
resource Planning
Planning Facilities
accounting
accounting Purchasing Safety
Safety

Figure 1. The process of the container terminal ERP system.

B Business Production Purchase

Purchase P
management management
management
u management u
s Product Part_list Purchase r
i Sales Objective c
Planning Quantity
n Order h
Outside Product
e Document a
Receive Dispatching Ordering Ordering
s Receive s
s Cancel e
Work Public Resource
Forwarding Stock execution Forwarding Warehousing Stock
C Returnning C
Carry in Goods
o o
Sales Ware Process Product Forwarding
n Bill Delivery Ware n
- house Inspection Warehousing
n - house n
e Cash / Note e
Inspection Public Resource Warehousing
c Bill Collecting c
Request Warehousing
t t
i i
Account
o o
Distribution
Distribution Inventory Sending
n management
management Inventory Management n
management
management Forwarding
Purchasing Analysis Plan Projection
Financial
Inventory Analysis The Year - end
Billing Accounting
Product Analysis Warehousing IM Forwarding
Plant
Human
Quality Analysis Management
Resource
Warehouse
Environment /
Sales Analysis Management Payroll
Safety

Figure 2. The process of the manufacturing industry ERP system.

the manufacturing industry are purchase and materials management, financial

management, production management, physical distribution management, human
resource management, account management and business management modules.
The manufacturing industries apply modified ERP systems suitable to the firm’s
constitution and they apply an ERP system to include additively developed modules
as occasion demands.
This study proposes construction schemes of the ERP system for the container
terminal through modulization of container terminal work to differ from the
manufacturing industry. The container terminal ERP system consists of planning,
operating, CFS operation and operation support modules, as in figure 1, instead
 Table 3. The functions of container terminal operating systems.
Port operation tasks
1. Planning 2. Operation 3. CFS operation 4. Operation support 5. Management

1.1. Berth 2.1. Overall 3.1. Export 4.1. Equipment 5.1. Human
planning control freight resource
1.2. Yard 2.2. Yard 3.2. Import 4.2. Business 5.2. Financial
planning operation freight activity accounting
1.3. Load/unload 2.3. Load/unload 3.3. Stock 4.3. Billing 5.3. Planning
planning operation on hand
1.4. Rail 2.4. Gate 4.4. Communications 5.4. Material/
planning operation purchasing
1.5. Resource 2.5. Rail 4.5. Logistics 5.5. Facilities
allocation operation information
planning
5.6. Environmental/
safety

of business, production, purchase and inventory management modules in the

manufacturing industry ERP system of figure 2.

The proposed container terminal ERP system is not a new idea, but a requirement
for doing integration, standardization and systematic maintenance of modules of
existing container terminal operating systems. The top modules of existing container
terminal operating systems are categorized as planning, operation, CFS operation,
operation support and general management, as shown in table 3.

4. Module design principles of a container terminal ERP system

This chapter will discuss design guides of each module for their definition of opera-
tions and detail functions proposed in table 3. The design guides are proposed for
berth planning, yard planning, load/unload planning in planning module, overall
control, yard operation in operation module and logistics information in operation
support modules. Since the above-mentioned problems of terminal operating
systems and solution are converged on these functions, one will only discuss these
functions.

4.1. Planning modules

The planning modules include the modules of berth planning, yard planning, loading/
unloading planning, railway planning and resource allocation planning.

4.1.1. Berth planning. Berth planning includes berth configuration, vessel informa-
tion management—which covers general information of vessels such as service route
and navigation features, vessel arrival/departure schedule management and berth
allocation—which includes allocation management of berth and container cranes.

What one has to consider in berth planning is to give priority to regular time/day
or week service over other irregular berth allocation service requests. The system
must also be flexible to adapt to and cope with frequent changes of vessel arrival/
departure schedule by interconnecting related system modules, database, personnel
and equipments.
 ERP approach for container terminal operating systems

For the allocation of container cranes, berth planning decides only what container
crane will serve for what vessel. The detailed time of allocation is left to a resource
allocation step by a 2-step crane allocation method.

4.1.2. Yard planning. Yard planning modules include yard configuration manage-
ment, yard planning for export cargo, yard planning for import cargo, yard planning
for transshipment cargo, yard planning for empty container and relocation within
yard boundary.
The yard configuration management includes management ofl ocation of yard
operation-related facilities such as illuminators, as well as management of config-
uration of the container yard. Yard planning for an export cargo module should
consider a berth that is ready for a vessel coming alongside, yard status by types and,
by vessels, to plan the allocation for export cargo. It is necessary to receive timely
data about cargo that will be loaded for export. The cargo information should be
categorized by container type. Booking prospects for terminals are occasionally
accepted, the module has functions to cope with the frequent change in status.
The overall condition of the yard for export cargo should be grasped.

Yard planning for import cargo modules should accept the plan for unloading
cargo and consider cargo that will be transferred to other piers, navigation type and
size of vessel. Generally, yard allocation for import cargo is performed after the
accomplishment of unloading planning. However, the module should support the
case when it is necessary to adjust the yard plan, while import cargo are being
unloaded from a vessel.
4.1.3. Loading/unloading planning. The loading/unloading planning module con-
sists of management of vessel data, container crane planning, unloading planning
and loading planning. Vessel data is information for loading/unloading planning.
This includes detail specification of the vessel, structure of cargo holder and tank,
draught, displacement tonnage, special data for calculation of the stability of the
vessel and strength of the structure and anything else which may be required.
The C/C (container crane) planning module identifies the cargo amount in each
hatch by each port where the cargo will be unloaded, berthing side, what C/C is
allocated for the vessel, its starting time of work and status and location of the C/C.
The C/C planning module also evaluates the effect of ebb and flow of the tide to the
C/C work. Then, the C/C planning module assigns working time of each C/C and
sets the order of which hatch to work, dividing the work by loading and unloading
following the principles of working.
Unloading planning modules estimates workload according to type of work, such
as general unloading and moving in a ship. It also estimates workload according to
type of cargo, such as whether the cargo is frozen and dangerous or not.
The loading planning module sets the order of work to ensure the safety by
calculating displacement, longitudinal strength and torsion moment.

4.1.4. Railway planning. Railway planning includes platform and freight train
configuration, arrival/departure control and loading and unloading planning for
railway transportation.
The arrival date and amount of containers should be notified before planning or
loading and unloading planning for railway transportation.
208

4.1.5. Resource allocation planning. Resource allocation planning includes resource

analysis, equipment allocation and personnel allocation. Resource allocation plan-
ning function should perform suitability analysis, whether the plan can be completed
in the given time based on all the experience and actual results.

4.2. Operation module

The terminal operation module includes overall control, yard operation, load and
unloading operation, gate operation and railway operation.

4.2.1. Overall control. Overall control is composed of vessel control, yard control
and gate control. Vessel control sends working order to workers of container crane,
yard tractor and RMGC, based on the details ofl oading/unloading planning and
equipment allocation planning. Vessel control also monitors the progress status
while cross-checking with loading/unloading plan. When unexpected conditions
happen, overall control issues orders that remedy the states.

4.2.2. Yard operation. Yard operation consists ofl oading and unloading on and
from vessels, gate-in yard management, gate-out yard management, reefer container
and dangerous goods container management.
Yard operation for unloading proceeds based on the unloading plan from vessel
and yard plan. Yard operation includes the relocation of the unloaded containers
and manages the positions of them. At the time of completion of relocation of
unloaded containers on the yard, the reports are transferred to the overall control
with the data of container number, equipment number, working time, working detail
and position of the equipment. The automatic tracking function for container loca-
tion should be included in yard operation and the location data should be supplied
to outer institutions that are chained in the logistics.
For consideration with yard operation for gate-in/gate-out, the order ofl oading/
unloading onto/from trailers should be determined considering extra workload
needed. Reefer container operation should include such operations as power
plugging, temperature setting and monitoring. The prompt alarm is necessary
when sudden problems happen. Dangerous goods container management includes
the reception of a dangerous goods list, examination of the level of danger of the
goods, gate-in/gate-out operation and yard operation for the containers. The opera-
tion should keep the regulation of handling dangerous goods such as keeping
some distance between containers and positioning the containers on the isolated
yard blocks.
The whole architecture of ERP modules is illustrated in figure 3 to solve the
interconnection with the outer institution and internal departments, system integra-
tion, enforcement of planning and confirmation function and enhancement of
service level.

5. Conclusion
This paper presents an ERP system approach for a container terminal. This paper
analyses the existing problems of the container terminal operating systems and
suggests an ERP concept to solve the problems. The existing systems have problems
in the view ofi nterconnection with client companies, workflow between internal
departments, system function integration, optimal planning and verification,
management decision support and customer service. The ERP can handle the
 ERP approach for container terminal operating systems

Shipping Line
1. Planning 2. Operation 3. CFS MAO

Shipper
NR

Trucking Company
MA

4. Operation Support 5. Management

Materials Supplier CS

Finance Equipment VAN

MAO: Maritime Affairs Office

NR: National Railroad
MA: Metrological Administration
CS: Customs Service
Figure 3. The context diagram of container terminal operating systems.

existing problems of container terminal operation that are mainly caused by the lack
ofi ntegration of the whole information resource in container terminal, ad-hoc and
poor planning capability, disconnected and incorrect data from client companies.
The existing container terminal operating system is developed for one terminal.
This may cause problems of productivity of software development and standardiza-
tion of business processes.
One has clustered the workflow of container terminals and analysed the business
process to generate the best workflows. This paper suggested the whole architec-
ture of container terminal ERP systems into five modules and discuss the detail
functions.
A container terminal is a central pivot of maritime and land logistics that links all
the logistics companies. Therefore, the compatibility and standardization of business
process is the main issue of the future container terminal operating system, and this
paper will be helpful for the approach.