September 23 - Zebra Enterprise Solutions (ZES), a division of Zebra Technologies, announced today that the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) plans to use its web-based Navis SPARCS N4 terminal operating system (TOS).

By next year, the SCSPA will become the first port operator in North America to implement the system, which will manage container and breakbulk cargo operations from a central location across six marine terminals. 

The ports authority said its goal is to offer a single point-of-entry to customers irrespective of which terminal they chose to conduct business. The six SCSPA terminals to be managed by SPARCS N4 include Wando Welch, North Charleston, Columbus Street, Union Pier and Veterans, all in the Port of Charleston, and the Port of Georgetown.

The web-based SPARCS N4 operating system offers centralised visibility of information, as well as enhanced communication with SCSPA via web-based electronic data interchange. SPARCS N4 supports paperless operations and reduces costly errors.