Vessel positioning firm buoyed by network improvement

A Scottish firm that provides precise satellite positioning of offshore vessels anywhere in the world, is able to boast an improved and more resilient service thanks to a team of network communication experts.

Aberdeen based Veripos gathers satellite information and uses highly specialised software to deliver real time positioning information, with accuracy of 10 cm, to vessels working in some of the harshest environments on earth.

The company’s primary business is with customers operating in the offshore energy sector and it therefore needs 24/7 - 365 network uptime.

When planning for a recent headquarters move to new premises in Dyce and despite having 100% backup in their Singapore facility, the company carefully considered potential for problems with network connectivity, which could lead to risk of downtime and reputation damage.

However, experts from Commsworld delivered a completely new solution that not only allowed the existing functionality to remain uninterrupted, but also improved the performance and increased the resilience of the Veripos service.

Veripos products and services are widely used by professionals in the offshore energy industry where reliable and accurate precise positioning is essential for intricate, high-risk operations such as, seismic exploration, survey and construction and dynamic position drilling.

They originally requested the Edinburgh based communications specialists to duplicate their existing network solution, supplied by multiple providers, for their new premises.

But Commsworld advised against it and instead designed a simpler solution that ensures a faster performance and reduces the risk of downtime, thereby delivering a better performance to their clients offshore.

Phil Henderson, Service Delivery Manager at Veripos, praised the work done by Commsworld, which he says has made a notable impact to its operational performance and the vital service they offer their clients.

He said: “There were a few potential concerns with moving premises but our network connectivity is now faster and stronger than ever, therefore it has actually turned out to be a major - and unexpected - benefit of the move.

“Commsworld were adamant they could deliver a better solution by unbundling everything and starting again and that is exactly what they have done.

“Resilience and reliability are obviously incredibly important factors when it comes to navigation and position solutions, therefore they have made a major impact to our operational performance.”

Veripos previously had multiple network carriers and technologies linking their locations across the globe using fibre, copper and ADSL.

The Commsworld team simplified the links by using its own Fluency network – the only dedicated Scottish network of its type, serving Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen - and introduced “triangular resilience” which means it uses multiple exchanges to deliver information to and from Veripos.

Andy Arkle, Commercial Director at Commsworld, said: “Using our network allows quicker access to data without it being bounced through servers in London or Manchester, which is the case with more traditional bigger providers, and this was certainly the case for Veripos.

“The positioning information they deliver to offshore vessels is obviously absolutely critical to their operation, so we’re delighted our solution has helped.”

He added: “We quite often find that we can help businesses in ways they may not even have realised were possible, but that’s what we’re here for and that’s what makes the job so satisfying.”

UK businesses have now ordered more than 500 circuits from Commsworld since its launch in 2013. Commsworld have committed to an aggressive expansion plan of its Network with particular focus on low latency performance within the Scottish geography. With another four Points of Presence being deployed right now, this strategy further re-enforces the direction and investment Commsworld has taken to deliver cutting edge solutions to their clients.

Edited from various sources by David Bizley

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/11082014/vessel-positioning-firm-buoyed-by-network-improvement/