SEIDOR and IBM spearhead the digital transformation of the Port of Barcelona

Barcelona, 24 March 2023. SEIDOR, a technology services and solutions consultancy firm, is driving, together with IBM, the digital transformation of PORTIC, the PCS (Port Community System) of the Port of Barcelona. This is a technological platform for managing requests and providing the various port services in a smart, centralised and secure manner.

The digital transformation of the Port de Barcelona was one of the central issues at the Technology Summit of IBM, a seminar organised by the association APD, which, on 23 March at the Casa Convalescencia (Barcelona), brought together experts from IBM, companies and public agencies to, through real cases, discuss how technology can contribute to the adaptation and execution of operations in an existing technological scenario defined by the hybrid cloud, data, artificial intelligence and sustainability.

Data integration and incorporation of emerging technologies

The change promoted by SEIDOR and IBM at the Port of Barcelona involved modernising the physical infrastructures and the scheduling to use them. The integration of data between the different actors of this key infrastructure and the option of incorporating emerging technologies have made it possible to further optimise the flow of information and decision-making at the port authority.
SEIDOR, an IBM Platinum Business Partner, is actively participating in this project to technologically transform the Port of Barcelona to respond to the needs of the port community and upgrade the current digital platform by using modern technologies based on containers and open code that provide for improved efficiency and more agility in the application development and deployment processes. This new infrastructure also guarantees 24/7 availability to avoid data loss.

Joan Ramón Barrera, Director of the Public Sector at SEIDOR, noted that "at SEIDOR, we have adapted technology on a functional and architectural level to integrate it into the technological environment of the Port of Barcelona". And he added that "during the process of designing and integrating the solution, IBM's involvement together with our experience in market technologies, such as Linux, storage and communications, contributed to ensuring a successful implementation".
"New technologies are constantly emerging, but it is vital to be able to identify the most promising technology, and today, we can say that IBM LinuxONE is a technology that will bring great benefits to the port community", said Joan Ramón Barrera.

Cutting-edge IBM LinuxONE technology and sustainability

In view of the increase in maritime traffic, and in order to best satisfy requirements in terms of innovation, agility and sustainability, the Port of Barcelona has placed its trust in SEIDOR and the new IBM LinuxONE infrastructure.

This cutting-edge technology offers the most powerful processor on the market to increase performance, an absolute requirement for a service such as PCS (Port Community System), and at the same time, a high level of consolidation, which translates into direct savings in the licensing costs of the various software solutions that make up the platform. In this regard, over the next 5 years, the Port of Barcelona will be able to reduce the carbon footprint generated by its own business by more than 175 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

At the same time, this platform is scalable, reliable, secure and flexible, and is set up to work within today's technology standards and models. As a result, IBM LinuxONE will allow the Port of Barcelona to adapt to its growth without having to expand its physical footprint or make an excessive initial outlay in terms of infrastructure.

From now on, the port agency will be able to leverage the advantages of the latest technological advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud technology and 5G networks to face future challenges.