"The digital transformation driven with SoftExpert was a game-changer for Medway. We were able to replace six legacy systems with a single integrated platform, which allowed us to automate processes across all areas of the company. Today, we’re better prepared for sustainable growth and can meet market demands with greater efficiency and agility."
Jorge Valera, Chief Technology Officer at Medway
€100,000 saved annually
Digitizing railway operations cut costs and increased efficiency across the entire logistics chain
Six legacy systems replaced
With SoftExpert, Medway consolidated critical processes into a single integrated platform, gaining agility and control
500,000 prints eliminated per year
Document automation promoted sustainability and productivity by cutting time, costs, and paper consumption
MSC
With a fleet of around 900 ships and handling 27 million TEUs annually, about 20% of the global container shipping capacity, MSC - Mediterranean Shipping Company is the undisputed leader in international maritime transport. Present in 155 countries with 675 offices and operations in 520 ports across 300 global routes, MSC ensures reach, agility, and reliability in its operations. This global footprint is supported by continuous investments in technology, enabling the processing of more than 300,000 real-time transactions daily.
In Portugal, MSC's global presence is embodied through Medway, its railway arm and the largest private freight railway operator in the country, with a 90% market share. Acquired in 2016 with the purchase of CP Carga, Medway became a key piece in MSC's logistics strategy for the Iberian Peninsula, connecting ports, distribution centers, and industrial hubs with efficiency, scale, and sustainability. Expanding operations in Spain and Italy, Medway demonstrates how MSC’s global strength translates into impactful local solutions, connecting markets and driving innovation in the transport sector.
MSC saves €100,000 a year by digitizing its railway operations with SoftExpert
With SoftExpert's technology, MSC replaces six legacy systems, automates business processes, and eliminates 500,000 printed documents annually
In the fast-paced world of global maritime transport and logistics, MSC stands tall as the largest container shipping company in the world. With a presence in 155 countries, a fleet of 900 ships, and more than 675 offices worldwide, the company employs 200,000 people to move not only goods but also people - offering integrated mobility and logistics solutions around the globe.
Even with its massive scale, MSC saw the need for greater agility, innovation, and technological modernization to maintain its industry leadership. Partnering with SoftExpert proved to be a key step in that journey, combining strategic vision with robust digital solutions to drive transformation and deliver measurable results. This case study highlights how the collaboration set a new standard for efficiency in the logistics industry.
The need for digital transformation: overcoming challenges
When Medway, part of the MSC Group, took over operations from the former CP Carga, it inherited an aging technology base that had served its purpose for years but could no longer keep up with the pace of the modern logistics market. The company relied on traditional infrastructure and outdated systems that lacked flexibility and couldn’t support innovation or growth.
Many of these legacy systems couldn’t be updated or customized for new operational needs. Some were even discontinued and lacked technical support, posing serious security and data integrity risks.
Integration between systems was mostly manual, slowing down processes and increasing the likelihood of errors. The company needed a complete modernization of its technology stack to boost performance, scalability, and security.
Recognizing these challenges, Medway set out to rebuild its technology architecture - seeking a robust, integrated, and secure platform that could strengthen its leadership in rail logistics and support expansion across the Iberian Peninsula.
Technology as a catalyst for transformation
As part of its digital transformation strategy, Medway conducted a thorough assessment of existing processes and technologies to identify pain points, improvement opportunities, and guidelines for modernization. Based on these findings, the company designed a roadmap to support business processes and define the ideal technology partner.
A benchmarking exercise was conducted with four Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Business Process Management (BPM) tools to replace the legacy systems with a unified, future-ready solution. SoftExpert emerged as the preferred choice due to its broad functionality, competitive implementation and maintenance costs, easy integration with Azure/Office 365, and strong compliance support for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 standards. Its scalable architecture also provided the flexibility needed for continuous growth and evolution.
“We chose SoftExpert for its ability to deliver an integrated solution that unifies critical processes across various business areas. The platform offered the flexibility to adapt to our existing systems while ensuring support for compliance with international standards—something essential for our industry,” comments Jorge Valera, Chief technology officer at Medway.
Strategic project management: operational and financial gains
The project followed a well-defined plan, from design to production support, and involved process mapping, solution design, implementation, testing, and rollout with ongoing user support. Over an 18-month period, 101 resources were mobilized, including employees, consultants, and eight strategic partners. The total investment of €1.5 million reflected a clear commitment to efficiency and results.
Key success factors included strong stakeholder engagement, team commitment, transparent communication, agile decision-making, and comprehensive user training. Business areas were kept informed of benefits, and potential risks were identified and mitigated early on.
With the implementation of SoftExpert Suite, Medway consolidated six different tools into one integrated solution. Processes across departments such as Finance, HR, Legal, Marketing, Commercial, Operations, IT, and Quality were centralized and automated - with direct integration into the ERP and other corporate systems.
Results that drive operations and business
For an organization the size of MSC, managing processes, risks, and compliance across a global network is no small feat. The complexity of international operations and the constant demand for optimization require robust, unified systems. In this context, the partnership with SoftExpert became a true strategic differentiator, delivering measurable business outcomes.
Managing and distributing regulations and safety
Before digitization: |
The management of safety regulations was manual and paper-based. Documents and train schedules were physically distributed to 350 employees, each required to sign off upon receipt. This process involved printing and distributing over 500,000 copies annually - consuming four hours a day from three full-time employees.
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After digitization with SoftExpert: | All documents are now managed digitally through SoftExpert’s document management module. They are automatically synced to the teams’ tablets via the SoftExpert Document app, allowing offline access. Employees confirm receipt directly within the app, providing full traceability of who accessed each regulation.
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Tangible results:
- 500,000 fewer prints annually—saving 2.5 tons of paper or roughly 60 mature trees each year.
- 1.5 full-time equivalents (FTE) freed up for strategic activities.
- €80,000 annual savings through process automation and efficiency gains.
Managing nonconformities and billing discrepancies
Before digitization: |
Nonconformities and billing discrepancies were handled via email and Excel spreadsheets. This fragmented approach caused poor control, incomplete records, and unrecoverable financial losses.
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After digitization with SoftExpert: | Requests are now initiated directly within the system using structured workflows that engage all relevant departments. Automated alerts ensure deadlines are met, and inactivity triggers automatic escalation to leadership. The Finance team now has real-time visibility and analytics to support data-driven decisions.
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Results achieved:
- 1,200 hours saved annually in process management, tracking, and reporting.
- €15,000 saved per year.
- Recovery of previously lost revenue through improved traceability and closure.
IT risk assessment
Information security is a top priority. With SoftExpert’s Risk module, all IT risks are identified, logged, and linked to specific control measures. These are reviewed and updated semi-annually to ensure proactive management and continuous protection.
Results and benefits:
- Proactive IT risk management with early threat detection and mitigation.
- Stronger compliance with security regulations, enhancing digital trust.
- Smarter, data-backed decisions that protect the business and ensure continuity.
In an industry where efficiency and agility are essential, the partnership between MSC and SoftExpert exemplifies how technology can truly drive transformation. SoftExpert’s solutions are not just tools - they are strategic enablers that empower MSC to operate at a global scale with greater control, intelligence, and efficiency, reinforcing its position as a world leader and innovator.
A partnership driving the future of logistics
In a sector where agility and efficiency are non-negotiable, the partnership between MSC and SoftExpert demonstrates how technology can drive real transformation. SoftExpert’s solutions are more than just tools - they are strategic enablers that empower MSC to operate globally with greater control, intelligence, and efficiency, reinforcing its position as a world leader and innovator.
MSC’s success story highlights how vision, technology, and execution come together to turn complex challenges into growth opportunities - building a more agile, resilient, and connected future for global logistics.
