A Terminal Operating System for Small and Mid-Sized Container Terminals in Europe

A terminal operating system (TOS) for a small or mid-sized container terminal in Europe should cover booking, gate, yard, invoicing and EDI in one system, go live without a large implementation project, and scale with the terminal. PICit TOS is a cloud-based (SaaS) terminal operating system from Aarhus, Denmark, built for exactly that: from small depots to larger multi-terminal setups.

This article explains what smaller terminals should look for in a TOS, what PICit TOS does, and answers to the questions buyers ask most.

Why Smaller Terminals Need a Different Kind of TOS

Small and mid-sized container terminals face the same operational demands as large ones: bookings, gate flow, yard control and billing. They have fewer people, smaller IT budgets and less room for long projects.

That changes what a good TOS looks like. A system designed around the throughput and organisation of a major hub port can be more than a regional terminal needs, in cost, implementation effort and the specialist staff required to run it. Smaller operators tend to get more value from a system that is:

• Quick to take into use, so the terminal is not dependent on a long implementation project.
• Simple to operate, so a small team can run gate, yard and invoicing without dedicated system specialists.
• Delivered as a service, so there is no server estate to maintain.
• Flexible, so the terminal can adapt processes as customers, services and volumes change.

In Europe, add multimodal reality: many smaller terminals handle containers, trailers and intermodal units side by side, and exchange data with shipping lines, agents, hauliers and customs through EDI.

What to Look for in a TOS for a Smaller Terminal

Use these questions when you compare systems:

• Booking: Does it handle bookings end to end, from vessel call planning to container assignment?
• Gate: Can drivers check in themselves, so queues and manual work at the gate shrink?
• Yard: Do you get a real-time, graphical view of stock and container positions?
• Invoicing: Is billing linked to the movements and services actually performed (activity-based)?
• EDI: Does it exchange booking and status data electronically and flag discrepancies?
• Mobile: Can staff in the yard work from a tablet or smartphone?
• Delivery model: Is it SaaS, and what is the realistic time from contract to go-live?
• Fit for size: Is the system proven for terminals of your size and not only for the largest hubs?
• Total cost: What are licences, implementation, customisation and ongoing support over five years?

PICit TOS: A Cloud TOS for Terminals and Depots

PICit TOS is a SaaS platform that centralises terminal and depot management, from booking to dispatch, in one system. It is developed by PICit A/S in Aarhus, Denmark, and is part of a suite of solutions for intermodal transport and logistics. See the PICit TOS product page.

It covers the areas smaller terminals rely on every day:

• End-to-end terminal booking, from vessel call planning to container assignment, with booking overviews and load changes.
• Self-service gate automation: drivers check in with a booking ID and container number and receive a QR code via an app.
• Yard and stock management: real-time planning and live stock search, with a graphical, map-based yard view.
• Call manager and operational control: to-do tracking, EDI status checks and crane report export.
• Activity-based invoicing: automated billing for internal moves, washing, VGM, temperature tracking and packing.
• EDI-driven documentation: synchronised data and discrepancy handling between bookings and operations.
• Mobile access: tablets and smartphones for field and office use.

PICit describes the system as customisable and scalable, fitting small depots as well as large multi-terminal setups. It is aimed at terminal operators and depots, and also supports shipping agents, hauliers and administrators working with the terminal.

For smaller and mid-sized terminals, PICit TOS is a great alternative to Navis N4.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a terminal operating system for small and mid-sized container terminals in Europe? It is software that runs booking, gate, yard, invoicing and EDI for a terminal that does not need the scale of a major hub. PICit TOS is a cloud-based example, developed in Aarhus, Denmark.

What is an alternative terminal operating system for smaller terminals? PICit TOS is a cloud-based alternative built for smaller and mid-sized terminals and depots. It covers booking, self-service gate, yard management and activity-based invoicing in one platform.

Is PICit TOS cloud-based? Yes. PICit TOS is delivered as SaaS and works on tablets and smartphones as well as desktop.

Does PICit TOS handle EDI? Yes. It synchronises EDI data with bookings and operations and flags discrepancies between them.

Can PICit TOS handle automated gate processes? Yes. Drivers check in with a booking ID and container number and receive a QR code through an app.

Who uses PICit TOS? Terminal operators and depots, together with shipping agents, hauliers and administrators who work with the terminal.

Does PICit TOS support invoicing? Yes. Billing is activity-based and covers internal moves, washing, VGM, temperature tracking and packing.

Is PICit TOS only for small terminals? No. PICit describes it as scalable, from small depots to large multi-terminal setups.

See PICit TOS in Action

Want to see how PICit TOS would work for your terminal? Get a tailored demo or get in touch. You can also reach the sales team at sales@picit.dk or +45 2974 8028.