Page 95: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 1997)

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ISIT Update: Quest Far Automation Continues

Reduced crew sizes and the technology revolu- tion have led to the implementation of a wide array of systems onboard ships, creating the need for a better way of administering and man- aging these systems. Marine

Management Systems (MMS)

President Gene Story recognized this growing problem and envi- sioned a solution that solves this problem and offers a host of other benefits to shipowners and profes- sionals throughout the marine industry. That vision is the

Integrated Shipboard Information

Technology Platform (ISIT), an industrial strength IT platform featuring a communications pro- gram, hardware systems and soft- ware applications. The communi- cations component (initially designed to be a dedicated

INMARSAT link) makes it possi- ble for shipowners and operators to remotely manage and monitor their ships' information systems from a single shoreside location, reducing the need for highly trained IT personnel on every ves- sel.

Traditionally, most software applications have been built with a "stovepipe" architecture, a unique format that makes it diffi- cult or impossible for data which is utilized and collected to be trans- ferred to other systems. In addi- tion to providing a platform, ISIT specifies a common architectural format. It provides the building blocks that will make it possible for all shipping company programs to be able to easily exchange data.

Fleetwide Consolidation —

Financial Integration

ISIT is designed to enable true fleet-wide consolidation. It enables an operator to update a part number on one computer and have the change transmitted to every computer across his or her enterprise. It also allows a com- pany to utilize data from all of its ships. A manager can determine what ships are doing best and transfer that knowledge or skill set to the rest of the fleet. It deliv- ers access to all of the data neces- sary to meet classification require- ments.

The platform makes it possible for information collected by all ships in a fleet to be interfaced with a company's financial sys- tems. An owner can look at the performance of the whole fleet, against both operating and financial standards. Access to fleet-wide data enables bulk ordering for discounts, helps

HOPEMAN BROTHERS, INC

P.O. Box 820 Waynesboro, Virginia, USA 22980 (540) 949-9200 Fax (540) 949-9259

September, 1997 Circle 259 on Reader Service Card 95