A cohesive and collaborative approach to data management also helps to break down data silos and encourage people to move away from a siloed mindset. No longer are they purely concerned with how they will use the data in front of them, but they now consider how it might be useful for other departments in trying to achieve their goals. By engaging more people in the process, more ideas and different viewpoints are brought to the table.
A cohesive approach to digitalisation and data management can also play a part in driving behavioural change onboard ships. Live monitoring of a vessel means that behaviours onboard can be detected and onshore teams alerted in real-time. Say a vessel is operating at a higher speed than the shoreside team believes it should be. They will be alerted and can question the vessel’s crew about this. If there’s a reason for it, no problem and the vessel will carry on with its operations. But if there’s no valid reason, the crew can be asked to slow the speed and operate with more efficiency in mind. This is an approach taken by Seacor Marine.
One of the problems today is that there are so many digital technologies and solutions in the market. It’s difficult to determine if and how an exciting new technology will help solve a problem, or whether it’s an unnecessary investment. There are many digital technologies that do similar things, so choosing the right one for your operations is key to avoiding over-investment and achieving your goals. Collaboration within an organisation enables different departments to understand how and why a solution might be used and encourages conversation on whether some systems are redundant or could be replaced. This ultimately reduces the need for multiple, overlapping technologies and platforms, lowers maintenance costs, and optimises the overall IT expenditure.
For collaboration to work, people and systems have to speak the same data ‘language’. This requires turning various sources of data and information into a common language, ensuring all parties can access, understand, and use the data for decision-making. With ships operating as remote offices, they are increasingly reliant on systems that are purchased from various vendors. No matter who they are supplied by or what they are used for, these systems are required to communicate with each other and with shoreside teams or port authorities, to enable remote monitoring and decision making. Without a shared language, accurate and reliable data exchange and interpretation is near impossible.
When we are at home or in the office, we don’t think about connectivity. We open our inboxes, send emails, and stream videos and music without thinking twice. On the odd occasion, a power cut strikes or our phone provider goes down. Suddenly, there’s no internet and no access to communication platforms. Tonight’s plan of catching up on the latest Netflix box set or video calling a family member is aborted. As ships become increasingly like floating homes and offices, having connectivity that is always there is becoming an assumption.
For a more detailed insight and understanding of the topics briefly discussed in this article, please refer to our thought leadership report commissioned in partnership with Inmarsat, The Digital Wave. To find out more download your copy of the full report here.
