A local IT solutions provider is helping businesses on the Island clear customs more easily with the help of a new software solution.Gateway Systems Limited, which developed Automated Bermuda Customs (ABC) is now offering a Software as a Service (SaaS) model of ABC, making it easier for more businesses to use the service.The software allows businesses that wish to do their own HM Customs clearance from their own office an automated way to do so.Using a desktop icon to access Gatway’s secure servers via the internet, businesses can create an electronic Bermuda Customs Declaration.The system remembers what has previously been imported and all the necessary details about that item, eliminating much of the tedious paperwork for businesses.When the customs declaration is complete and the release is issued, the business can print it off and present it with payment to collect their items.Kevin Luckham, director of software services for Gateway says that while their ABC software has been around a while, the company realised not all businesses were able to install it in their own office and that many people trying to import goods to Bermuda were having that issue.“To let small business benefit from our ABC solution we introduced the Software as a Service model (SaaS),” Mr Luckham said.“We look after the servers, the software, the Tariff codes and the connections to HM Customs and we keep them all up to date with changes.“It is a perfect solution for small business which does this only a few times a week at most and only have one or two people responsible for this function.”John Kyle, managing director of Gateway, said: “We have been running a pilot in a small business for a few months that imports a large shipment every month and we worked with them to make our ABC SaaS model work.“Having completed that, we want to find five more small businesses that want to use ABC SaaS and we will offer them the basic service for six months at no cost.“Obviously there are some Terms and Conditions around this but we will be happy if anyone interested will contact us.”Gateway’s ABC software recently won the 2012 Technology Innovation Award for Best Business Solution.The judges said that the software has become the standard Bermuda Customs software for vendors importing goods to the Island.As one of the nominators said, the software “does what it is supposed to do: save time, effort and money.”For more information about Gateway’s new offering email info@gateway.bm.