DataFort, the leading provider of off-site data backup, today announced a partnership agreement with Strategic Dataworks, the market leader in specialist shipping software.

Strategic Dataworks will offer the off-site backup solution DataFort 3.0 alongside its MMS (Message Management Software), providing shipbrokers with a secure means of backing up business and safety-critical information. Within weeks of partnering, the two companies have completed several high profile international tenders.

“The ship broking market is highly competitive and the majority of deals are carried out across multiple messaging systems such as telex, fax, email or satellite,” explains Stuart Hyde, Sales Manager of Strategic Dataworks. “Incorporating DataFort 3.0 into our message management suite adds real value, extending our service by offering additional functionality.”

Strategic Dataworks’ shipping applications have been developed with the benefit of 17 years experience of the shipping industry. Built around a relational database of ships particulars, the tools support sale and purchase, as well as chartering position and fixture applications. DataFort 3.0 enables companies to secure business critical data off-site, offering security and recovery in the event of disaster.

“Any company or office involved in ship-brokering industry is used to archiving huge volumes of data,” comments Gavin Smith, Founder & CEO of DataFort. “Not only are communications carried out across multiple platforms – telex is still very much in use in this area – but vast amounts of ship statistics also have to be stored. And wherever critical data is stored it also needs to be backed up. Nowhere is off-site back-up more important than in shipping – where the natural hazards to data loss are very high.”

“Strategic Dataworks has the expertise and heritage to extend our business continuity solution into the ship brokering community,” continues Smith. “We see great potential in this new market area and together with Strategic Dataworks we will provide shipbrokers with a complete managed service, giving them peace of mind that their data is secure.”
About Strategic Dataworks
Strategic Dataworks Ltd is a software developer and IT systems supplier. We specialise in communications software and shipping database applications. The Company was founded in 1983 as Strategic Software Ltd. Initially focused on the ship broking sector, Strategic quickly expanded to become the world's leading systems supplier to the shipping industry.

In 2001 Strategic Software amalgamated with Dataworks to further strengthen our position and commitment to the shipping industry. Today Strategic Dataworks shipping applications continue to dominate the market. We have also seen exciting growth in demand for our communications software - Message Management is increasingly used by organisations in diverse sectors, with a common need for workgroup messaging, high volume communications management and critical message handling.

Strategic Dataworks continues to invest in R&D and we take pride in our reputation for product innovation; indeed we pioneered many programs that are industry standard today. Website: www.strategicdataworks.co.uk.