Articles · for crewing agencies · Batumi
Opening a crewing office in Batumi: IT setup checklist
Batumi is a natural place for a crewing or ship management office: many experienced Georgian seafarers, a port, a time zone convenient for both Europe and Asia. Before the first candidates arrive, the office needs IT that simply works. Here is the checklist I use when setting up such offices.
Before the office opens
- Internet: a main fibre line plus a backup from a different provider or a mobile router — an online test or a video interview must not stop because of one cable.
- The room: where the router goes, where cables run, enough power sockets and a UPS for the router and the main computer.
- The domain and company email — before printing business cards.
Network and computers
- Separate Wi-Fi for staff and for visitors (seafarers waiting in the lobby).
- Computers with a licensed Windows, office software and automatic updates.
- A printer and scanner on the network — crewing means a lot of document scans.
- A quiet place with a good camera, headset and stable connection for online tests and interviews.
Data and documents
- Shared cloud storage with clear folders and access rights by role.
- Automatic backups — in the cloud and on a separate drive.
- Two-factor protection on all accounts.
- Clear rules for storing seafarers’ documents — see seafarer data security rules.
The public face
- A website in English for shipowners, and in Georgian for seafarers.
- A Google listing with the office address and photos.
- Email signatures with the same name, address and phone everywhere.
How I help
I set up offices in Batumi turnkey: internet with a backup, network, computers, printers, email on the domain, cloud storage, backups, a room for online tests, the website and the Google listing. I speak Georgian, Russian and English, so I can deal with local providers on your behalf. The price is agreed after a visit to the premises. IT for crewing agencies →
FAQ
Questions and answers
Can you start before we arrive in Batumi?
Yes: we can agree the plan remotely, and I can prepare the domain, email and website before the office opens.
Do you supply the equipment?
I choose it for your tasks and you buy it — directly, without my mark-up — or I buy it with you.
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