Wallenius Lines saves 35% on wireless communications. (business coms).

Wallenius Lines has selected iOra Mobile Intranet to deliver critical safety and cargo information from its head office to vessels at sea, and to reduce communication costs.

Initial trials on a select number of vessels have shown a reduction in the costs of wireless satellite and GSM

To provide data communications world-wide, Wallenius uses Inmarsat-B satellite service, as well as GSM when vessels are within range nearer to shore. Prior to selecting iOra the company used its own compression techniques to transmit data from head office. At an average cost of US$6/minute for a 64K link the pressure to have the smoothest system in place was mounting.

By using iOra Mobile Intranet, which includes iOra's patent-pending Epsilon Technology, Wallenius has achieved compression ratios of up to 98%--an additional 35% over previous compression techniques, leading to a 35% cost saving on satellite and GSM wireless data transmission. Wallenius tested a range of applications, including quality manuals, maintenance and purchase information, HR information, and other Intranet and Internet information.

"We are constantly striving to find new ways of improving business processes and reducing costs. The amount of critical data we share with the fleet is only going to increase and iOra offers a way of increasing the information flow while reducing costs," commented Goran Bjork, CIO at Wallenius Lines. "The compression technique we used previously could not eliminate redundant data. In our testing iOra Mobile Intranet proved itself able, in some cases, of showing a compression ratio of up to 98%."

In addition to the cost benefits, the iOra implementation will also enhance productivity and compliance with codes of practice for businesses who operate at sea. "We transmit critical data from our intranet and the maintenance and procurement systems. We also transmit valuable information on weather reporting, it is vital to keep the crew up to date", says Bjork.

The final benefit is the welfare of the crew, providing numerous current affairs and special interest sites helps them feel in touch with home.

On each vessel there is a full local area network installed consisting of approximately 10 work stations, server and peripheral equipment such as printers and digital cameras.