Page 32: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2015)

CRUISE SHIPPING

Ef? cient Computer Control with KVM Technology

G&D – always available – on land, at sea and in the air.

By Dipl.-Ing. Peter Pospiech

For centuries, mariners have relied nology, but not a speci? c brand or com- the bridge or in the control room. The via latency free video extenders. KVM on paper maps to navigate the world’s pany. Over the years, more signals have crew has access to the remote computers solutions are mainly deployed in wheel- oceans and waterways. Today, the com- been added to the transmission range and in real-time without noticing any latency houses, engine control rooms and safety puter technology used on board literally KVM was enhanced by various man- or loss in quality – without any addition- command centers as well as in produc- controls the vessel. Along with comput- agement and monitoring functions. The al software and independently from any tion and entertainment areas. The heart ers, KVM technology enters ships across three main product groups are KVM ex- network. But not only users bene? t from of the vessel is the wheelhouse, where the world. German manufacturers Gun- tenders (extending of computer signals), their connection to the KVM system. the captain and his crew need to work termann & Drunck GmbH (G&D) were KVM switches (switching of KVM sig- Updates and maintenance work can be fully concentrated in a noise free envi- already working on KVM solutions be- nals) and KVM matrix switches (extend- carried out directly in the server room ronment. All relevant information has to fore this technology had a name. The ing and switching of computer signals). without distracting the technical crew be made accessible at any time, unham- company was founded by Udo Gunter- from their work. And on top of it, a pered by maintenance work or weather mann and Martin Drunck in 1985. Why is this technology required on protected, air-conditioned environment conditions.

Maritime Reporter & Engineering vessels? ensures a long life for every product. Removing all computers into an air-

News asked CEO Roland Ollek how a KVM is a niche technology within the IT Installing the equipment in on-shore conditioned server room frees up space medium-sized German company has industry and requires much explanation. control rooms work just the same. Our and reduces heat and noise level at the managed it to become part of numerous Let me give you an example to show KVM solutions are deployed across all same time. And not to forget: The com- prestigious shipping projects. you how it works: the crew on board a shipping sectors, wherever safety and puters are safely stored away and pro- ship monitors multiple processes 24/7. control matter. Fitting-out general cargo tected from unauthorized access. Our

KVM: A New Tech for the Shipping But neither the bridge nor the techni- ships or luxury cruise liners and super solutions unite a lot of knowledge and,

Industry? Please explain. cal control room provides enough space yachts makes no exception, because ultimately, our customers know that

KVM stands for Keyboard, Video and for sensitive yet noisy, heat-emitting KVM is equally important as in any when buying our solutions they buy

Mouse and refers to computer ports. computer equipment. Thanks to KVM, other control room or safety relevant en- from the KVM experts. The great feeling

KVM products are connected to these – computers can be removed into separate, vironment. of security may be one of our most cap- and other – ports from where they extend access-secured server rooms. Robust Additionally it is possible to display tivating USP. And security is the most or switch computer signals. Therefore, KVM extender systems bridge the dis- any kind of passenger information in important aspect at sea.

KVM is a group designation of a tech- tance between computers and users on real time anywhere aboard the vessel

Left:

G&D CEO Roland Ollek: “In the ship- ping industry KVM equipment can be applied in the most versatile ways.”

Top:

The latest Meyer Shipyard delivery,

MV Quantum of the Seas, features

G&D KVM products.

Right:

Server room of a VanOord dredger:

Extremely robust and durable G&D products for special applications ful-