seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2005 | Page 7

Web. It is also a project to improve modularity.The third strong goal is to increase the productivity among the network companies. “The initial conditions are similar to the Finnish metal industry, the productivity is at a good level, but has not increased sufficiently,” said Virta.”“The goal of the programme is to prepare the Finnish marine industry for change in the operation method needed to maintain and increase the volume and productivity of the business. When Aker Finnyards streamlines its structure, a new competitive advantage will be gained by establishing a network of shipyards. The main threat to the Finnish marine industry is that it will be unsuccessful in international competition.” According to Virta, the international dimension is a significant factor. He com- pares the Finnish cluster to a laboratory, where R & D is efficient because the information flows well in a small country and a tightly knit cluster. Kronodoc to provide tools for information logistics All three Aker Yards ASA shipyards in Finland use information logistics tools developed by Kronodoc. “This strengthens our position as the basis on which the Finnish marine cluster builds its network co-operation. Finland has been an excellent development laboratory for our company, and it enables our transfer to international markets soon,” says Raimo Jalonen, managing director of Kronodoc. “The information logistics solutions of Kronodoc increase the competitive edge of network in extensive projects such as shipbuilding. Kronodoc is involved in a product development project within the MERIKE programme. The aim is to develop marine cluster standards and rules within the software.” “Kronodoc has been used for some years now at the Aker Finnyards Rauma shipyard, and it has enabled the introduction of a new operation method. Aker Finnyards, Deltamar and Wär tsilä were our first customers,” says Jalonen. “The software suppor ts the management of the ship’s life-cycle from the design to production and operation. The system enables the use of modern design and document tools. The system includes document management, project information, process monitoring and network management,” Jalonen concludes. SEATEC 2005 5