UK-based software solutions producer Aveva believes that there are opportunities
with the onset of the new digital era for shipyards and operators, but will need to shift
their perspective from how processes are done today, writes Samantha Fisk
Industry manufacturers seem to be taking the lead when it come to the digital revolution for shipbuilding, already putting pro[ds_preview]ducts on the market that harness the advantages of digital technologies. But, even with these new futuristic enticements, the core questions above still need to be worked out in the industry and where digital fits in to that model.
Ship design and building is entering a new era through digitalisation and a new way of thinking around these methods seems to be needed to the disruption that is being caused. Trond Straume, Aveva’s chief technology officer – designate, highlighted at the recent »World Summit« of the company that there are more opportunities for shipyards: »There are huge opportunities for the market with the ability to sell digital representation of vessel, a new business market will appear.«
Straume believes that in the future, shipyards that create digital twin’s of vessels will lead the way to a new market for these, as they will be the »custodian’s of the digital twin«, allowing them to make more money from one design.
Regarding the uptake of digital solutions and software, Straume says that Aveva is staying true to its data driven message, which some customers are now recognising and buying in to. Talk around digital 4.0 and capturing data are a couple of the main focus points for Aveva in its development of its software packages.
Straume adds about the advantages of being able to capture this data and then use it in an informative manner, allows assets to be more connected and being able to see the business in a wider context.
Aveva as part of its goals emphasizes that it is constantly improving upon it software to stay ahead of the game and gives it clients what they need, »Aveva Marine is now more user friendly and we have been introducing our platform Dabacon to the market, which operates at a new level and is something which we have been asked to do by customers.«
The Dabacon platform looks at bringing together the solutions and allowing them to be accessed through one portal or platform, meaning better collaboration and work flow between different sectors of the design and build process.
Straume highlights about Dabacon: »It is unique and different from sequel platforms, as it is object centric. With the focus on engineering architecture everything is modelled as an object.«
With the focus of Dabacon on better connectivity on projects, meaning that as projects develops over time the Dabacon database keeps track of the history at every stage of the design process. Dabacon is a self-integrating platform that comes embedded in the software that is purchased by the customer.
As shipping evolves Aveva highlights that the similarities between the solutions for industries are appearing, such as for FPSOs. Straume notes that at lot of the engineering is similar to plant engineering, only floating, so the benefits of the Dabacon platform allows for easier combining of facilities across industries.
The latest update to the Dabacon platform has seen Aveva’s instruments and electrical design software being moved on to the platform. »This allows electrical and instruments in context for other engineers.«
