Halifax based Nicom IT Solutions has been awarded a contract to develop a cargo-tracking system for the United States Department of Homeland Security.

The SAFE Port Act (PDF), introduced in 2006, requires importers to electronically file 10 new elements of advance data, as well as two additional types of messages alerting U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the status of containers and the location of cargo on incoming vessels. The new information requirements include specific details about manufacturers, sellers, buyers and countries of origin.

Nicom previously developed software to electronically transmit vessel manifest data to U.S. government authorities. It has also developed software systems for the Saint John Port Authority, the Atlantic Pilotage Authority and the Halifax Port Authority.

“The U.S. has been a huge growth area for us,” said Pat d’Entremont, a partner at Nicom. “We have learned a lot about United States security in the last two years, particularly when it comes to tracking information and sending it to federal authorities.”

Compliance with the new SAFE Port Act requirements will be mandatory effective January 26.

Nicom is a Halifax-based, end-to-end IT services shop, and is the largest independent IT firm in Nova Scotia. They are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and part of Microsoft’s Partner Excellence Program, a unique club of only 19 companies across Canada. The stringent qualifications required to belong to this group is a testament to Nicom’s technical capabilities.

Nicom's service offering includes: web site design & development, software development, technical support, IT staffing and IT Consulting.

In the years to come they expect to see the strongest growth from their partnership with Microsoft through work on enterprise level products such as Microsoft SharePoint and CRM. These products let organizations nurture stronger relationships with their stakeholders through opening channels of internal and external communication and collaboration.

Another area of growth will be in seaport logistics software, where Nicom has made major headlines in recent years through winning high profile projects in Canada and in the United States.

Excerpts from this article have been taken from the 'Friends of NS' newsletter. For more informaiton please visit novascotialife.com.