Det Norske Veritas
http://exchange.dnv.com

Classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has an internet/software hybrid service called DNV Exchange.

	At the most basic level, users can obtain access about DNV-classed vessels over the internet (dubbed DNV Basic). For a premium, users can access much more data, look at the ship in three dimensions and make calculations. This service is supplied both over the internet and as standalone
software.

	The concept behind DNV Exchange is to tie together all of the different forms of information that a shipowner might use in one place, including modelling, reports, surveys and approval work.

	DNV has an associated internal system in place to help surveyors put their reports together worldwide, called Nauticus Production System. It means that all the approvals and survey records are stored in the same database for the vessels lifecycle.

	The system is available either over the internet or as internet-supported software. Many owners prefer to use it as software, so they can put it on their vessels, laptop computers and use it whilst travelling, taking it with them to repair yards and suppliers.

Owners often feel more comfortable having data stored on their own computers, rather than on the DNV central server, although there are numerous potential problems associated with having different
versions of the same file in circulation at the same time and so then the updates have to be managed properly.

DNV's agenda is to continue to increase the amount of information it puts online and encourage people to use it; it is already discontinuing some of its paper systems as users move over to DNV Exchange. "Most DNV owners use the system regularly," says Mike Williams, project manager, DNV exchange.
	"It is already our main means of information communication with owners."

	The service can greatly improve the customer relationship, says Mr Williams.
	"Its not only to help the owner manage their fleet but also to enable them to get more help from the classification society," he says.


	SUBHEAD
	DNV Exchange Basic

	DNV Exchange Basic, free of charge to clients, is designed as a way
for DNV customers to access data about their own vessels, including
certificate and	survey details. All owners with vessels classed by DNV get access to
DNV Exchange.

	SUBHEAD
	DNV Exchange Member

	DNV Exchange Member, the next service up, priced at $750 per vessel per annum, users can enter and manage their own inspection data including information, certficates, surveys and inspection reports of vessels not classified by DNV. This can be managed both over the internet and as
	standalone software.

	DNV is continuing to expand the service, by making items available
out of DNV's archive, including documents and drawings. Since many of these
are not	already available in electronic format, they are being specially
scanned in.

	There is a version of DNV Exchange Member which runs onboard the
vessel. The managers onboard the ship can retrieve update files
directly from DNV. "We have quite a lot installed on the ship," says
Mr Williams. "They can manage things from onboard the ship and keep
their managing office up to date."


	SUBHEAD
	DNV Exchange Nauticus

	DNV Exchange Nauticus is the Rolls Royce service, where users can
view and exchange three dimensional drawings of the vessel and associated
parts. DNV has a team of 50 staff in a Poland office, working full time on
generating 3D models of vessels.

	The models are most useful later in a vessel's life, when it is
necessary to replace steel parts or do strengthening and recoating work. DNV
Nauticus has associated software tools which can calculate how much steel is
required in a vessel dry docking, the necessary steel weight for plates and
stiffeners and the quantity of paint coatings required, based on imported
thickness measurements or manual selection of repair areas.