OSM goes mobile – dedicated seafarer mobile management app

Learn more about OSMs latest mobile application upcoming launch

OSM seafarers will soon be able to access crew files directly from their mobile devices.

Imagine that you’re at the airport, on your way to joining a vessel. Suddenly you can’t recall if you sent your renewed medical certificate to your crew manager. Your vessel can expect an MLC inspection on board anytime now, so you want to make sure that you and your company are all set. You pick up your phone and search through your sent items folder without any success. This means that you will have to call your crew manager in the morning…

Does this sound familiar? Wouldn’t it be great if you could check your personal files and documentation right where you are and not have to worry about needing a computer? This will soon be possible for all OSM seafarers thanks to the system application developers in OSM.

Easier and better

With the new eCrew Mobile App you can easily check your personal data, previous or next service, keep track of seafarer documentation and certificates and have pay slips close at hand. Moving forward, more functionality will be added to the mobile app to provide you with continuous flexibility and transparency designed specifically for your needs.

Ivar Sønstabø, System Application Manager in OSM, says that the development of the OSM eCrew Mobile App started in October 2017 and that the project is progressing according to plan.

“We’re preparing for a release in Q1 2018. This will be a major leap for OSM Crew Management, moving the current seafarer portal from the world wide web and onto the seafarer’s mobile device. This will hopefully make it much easier for the seafarer to access his or her data. The new interface will also provide a better and easier platform for communication between the seafarer and the team onshore”, says Ivar.

“We hope to see that the app can free up valuable time for the crew departments as well   as allowing them to focus less on follow-up of documentation and more on active crew management.”

Positive effect

The focus on innovative solutions in OSM usually comes from a defined service requirement or from a specific problem that needs a solution. The eCrew Mobile App project started off slightly different with optimizing of work processes and improved communication as key drivers that helped put the plan into effect.

“Timing is crucial for projects like this. It’s important to have the organization set for the purpose and in 2017 we felt that the time had come for developing the eCrew mobile app,” says Ivar.

The app will now be rolled out to different test groups to eliminate as many weak spots as possible prior to the Q1 release.  Managing Director for OSM Crew Management Tommy Olofsen hopes that the app will be well received by the users.

“I’m extremely pleased that we are close to a launch of this innovative solution and I’m proud of our system developers that have made this possible. I hope that the eCrew Mobile app will have a positive effect in terms of communication and cooperation, both between seafarers but also between the teams onshore and on board. People & Technology is amongst the focus areas for OSM in 2018 and this is an excellent example of how our people use technology to drive OSM forward,” says Olofsen.

Facts: Mobile Apps

A mobile application, most commonly referred to as an app, is a type of application software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Mobile applications frequently serve to provide users with similar services to those accessed on PCs. Apps are generally small, individual software units with limited function. (Source: techopedia.com)