Since 1992, the Algoma Central Marine Group has kept its 30-ship fleet linked to land, even when the vessels are seemingly sailing alone through the choppy waters of Lake Superior.
Until 1998, the company achieved this feat with wireless cellular communications and shipboard DOS-based systems.
But this year, the firm completely overhauled its workstations and switched to Windows-based applications.
“We’re able now to truly bring our ships into the information loop,” said Bob Cook, manager of information services for the Algoma Central Marine Group. “We can truly say they’re part of our office information system.”
Algoma Central Marine Group is a division of Algoma Central Corp., which owns and operates the largest Canadian fleet plying the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.