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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
Digital Wave Publishing