Frequently Asked Questions

Choose from the categories below to find a list of corresponding questions and answers. We are also happy to speak with you directly so please contact us.

Mainsail FAQ's

What is Mainsail?

Mainsail is a comprehensive container terminal operating system that provides terminal operators with the tools they need to efficiently and cost-effectively manage all areas of a terminal operation, including container inventory, import and export transactions, gate operations, statistical reporting, and web-based customer service. For more information about Mainsail, click here.

Can my customers access Mainsail over the internet for container availability and related information?

Mainsail provides several options for customer access, including:
  • Secure real-time web access to container availability, bookings, inventory, and operational reporting
  • Notifications via email, pager or fax
  • Automated phone system for availability inquiries

What operating platforms can Mainsail run on?

The Mainsail server operates on the Linux OS. Mainsail clients run on the Windows OS.

What is the difference between Mainsail and Spinnaker?

Mainsail is a comprehensive container terminal operating system that provides terminal operators with tools to manage real-time container inventory, import and export transactions, gate operations, statistical reporting, and web-based customer service. Spinnaker is a container vessel, yard, and rail planning system that integrates with Mainsail to help terminal operators to plan and execute container moves more efficiently and safely.

Can Mainsail be interfaced with our accounting and booking systems?

Yes, we have interfaced Mainsail with a variety of both "off-the-shelf" and proprietary accounting and back office systems.

What are Mainsail's advantages?

Mainsail is an industry-leading terminal operating system. Its key advantages include:
  • ASP service for small to medium sized ports
  • Proven to scale to processing over 1.5 million TEUs per year in a given installation
  • Easy-to-use browser based user interface
  • Mainsail Online offers customers and partners secure real-time access to container availability, bookings, inventory, notifications, and reporting via the Internet
  • Advanced integration with third party systems
To learn more, take a moment to review the Mainsail Product Overview (pdf).

Spinnaker FAQ's

What is Spinnaker?
Spinnaker is a graphical container vessel, yard, and rail planning system that enables terminal operators to plan and execute container moves more efficiently and safely. Spinnaker integrates seamlessly with Mainsail Terminal System for comprehensive terminal management, robust automation, and real-time inventory control.

I use a proprietary terminal operating system. Can I still use Spinnaker for vessel, yard, and rail planning?

Yes, Spinnaker can integrate with other terminal operating systems. The system uses a flexible XML file format to exchange data with other systems, so you can automatically update inventory in Spinnaker using data from other systems.

How can Spinnaker help minimize container re-handling at my terminal?

Spinnaker uses container details like size/type, weight, vessel, and discharge port to automatically select the most logical storage location for each container. This organizes your terminal yard in a way that greatly reduces the need for re-handling.

What does Spinnaker provide that other graphical planning systems don't?

Spinnaker offers the most intuitive user interface on the market, which results in the following key advantages for your operation:
  • Faster and easier planning with minimal training time required
  • Fully graphical setup features enable you to easily model the terminal's container yard, rail yard, and vessels in minutes
  • Flexible, user-driven reporting tools allow the terminal to create custom reports on the fly
  • All data saves automatically and directly to the database
  • Administrator controlled user rights management empowers you to customize the toolset for each team member's role
To learn more, take a moment to review the Spinnaker Product Overview (pdf).

Genoa FAQ's

What is Genoa?

Genoa is a comprehensive multipurpose terminal operating system that provides terminal operators with the tools they need to manage real-time cargo inventory, import and export transactions, receiving and delivery operations, statistical reporting, and web-based customer service.

What types of cargo can I handle with Genoa?

Genoa can handle any type of cargo: automobiles and rolling stock; dry and liquid bulk; break-bulk including steel, forest products, palletized cargoes, bagged cargoes; and containers.

Can Genoa handle containers?

Genoa can process containers, perform vanning and devanning operations, and manage container inventories in multipurpose terminals. However, for larger or dedicated container terminals, we recommend Mainsail, which provides dedicated container terminal management functionality.

What brand of handheld radio-frequency terminals can I use with Genoa?

Genoa currently integrates with Psion Teklogix and LXE handheld terminals and barcode scanners. However, virtually any brand of radio-frequency device can be used.

Can Genoa send and receive information electronically with my customers' systems?

Yes, Genoa can send and receive data electronically via EDI, XML, and other internet- driven technologies. Data can also be sent and received via .CSV and flat file formats, depending upon your customers' needs and abilities.

Does Genoa offer Web access for customers to view cargo availability, inventory, and related information?

Yes, Genoa provides secure, real-time web access that enables your customers to get the operations and cargo information they want when they need it.

What is Genoa's advantage?

Genoa is a comprehensive multipurpose terminal operating system that offers the following key advantages:
  • Flexibility to manage any type of cargo operation
  • Integration with handheld scanners decreases data entry requirements, resulting in faster and more accurate processing
  • Genoa Online offers customers and partners secure real-time access to cargo availability, bookings, inventory, and reporting via the internet.
  • EDI (electronic data interchange) processing makes data exchanges with customers faster, easier and more accurate.
To learn more, take a moment to review the Genoa Product Overview (pdf).
Tideworks FAQ's

Does Tideworks offer terminal management system application hosting?

Yes, Tideworks provides full-service hosted solutions that leverage our economies of scale to deliver secure, cost-effective, and easy-to-maintain terminal management solutions. We can install and maintain your terminal management system at our data center, and you can access the systems over the Internet or through a point-to-point connection between your terminal and our data center. This model allows you to focus on your operation without incurring any capital investments or personnel overhead to run your applications.

What is the difference between Mainsail, Spinnaker and Genoa?

Mainsail is a comprehensive container terminal operating system that provides terminal operators with the tools they need to efficiently and cost-effectively manage all areas of a terminal operation, including container inventory, import and export transactions, gate operations, statistical reporting, and Web-based customer service.

Spinnaker is a container vessel, yard, and rail planning system that enables terminal operators to plan and execute container moves more efficiently and safely. Spinnaker integrates seamlessly with Mainsail Terminal System for comprehensive terminal management, robust automation, and real-time inventory control.

Genoa is a comprehensive multipurpose terminal operating system that provides terminal operators with the tools necessary to manage real-time cargo inventory, import and export transactions, receiving and delivery operations, statistical reporting, and Web-based customer service.

What makes Tideworks' solutions different from other terminal operating and planning systems?

Tideworks provides solutions that are cost-effective, reliable, and comprehensive. Our solutions focus on efficiency at every step in your operation to enable you to achieve the greatest return on your technology investment.

Can I run Tideworks' solutions at multiple terminal locations using a single server at company headquarters?

Yes, any of Tideworks' solutions can be managed centrally for multiple locations.

The Tideworks Professional Services team can assist you in determining the best solution to scale to your operation based on current and future transaction volumes, level of automation, intensity of third-party communication, and contingency considerations. Tideworks Professional Services completes thorough technical due diligence at the beginning of each project to assess and meet your specific needs.

I need a software solution for my general cargo operation to help reduce paperwork and increase data accuracy. Which solution is for me?

Genoa is the software solution that helps general cargo terminals reduce paperwork and increase data accuracy. This solution has been deployed at a variety of operations that handle diverse cargo types, including steel, forest products, automobiles, and more.

Where can I see a demo of your software?

For product demonstrations, contact us.

Can Tideworks help me procure hardware for my terminal operating or planning system installation?

Tideworks Professional Services conducts a technical due diligence at the beginning of a project to determine the level of infrastructure needed in a particular operation. We will work with you to obtain the required hardware infrastructure at the most advantageous price. If requested, Tideworks can handle the hardware procurement process from specification through purchasing, configuration, and implementation.

Can Tideworks manage my EDI (electronic data interchange) processing?

Yes, Tideworks manages more EDI than any other terminal operating system vendor. Tideworks currently manages ANSI X.12 and EDIFACT standards, as well as proprietary EDI, XML schemas, and other Internet driven communication methods. Regardless of the communications requirements, our staff of data communications experts ensures critical information gets to the right people at the right time.

What services does Tideworks offer to help me implement and maintain my terminal operating and planning systems?

Tideworks Professional Services offers a comprehensive turn-key solution for deploying a Tideworks solution and supporting or owning the ongoing management. With Expert System Implementation, Tideworks manages all aspects of your system implementation or conversion from Project Management, hardware procurement, to on-site "go live" support. Tideworks also offers Enterprise System Management to augment an existing IT team or complete outsourcing. Click here to learn more about Tideworks Professional Services.