Shipyards and marine and offshore fabrication facilities across North America are being offered a new way to fill their design and drafting requirements. Genoa Design (Canada) has launched a unique web-based system that facilitates the delivery of detail design and drafting services through the Internet. Genoa Design’s system simulates on-site design teams while reducing costs for clients. Using the system, clients can view work in progress and supply technical feedback in a secure online environment.

From its base in Newfoundland, Canada, Genoa Design manages projects through a combination of traditional and on-line technologies. Detail design, drafting and 3D modeling work is done by in-house designers and engineering technologists using industry-standard computer applications. Project management is handled through the Design Information Control System, Genoa’s copyrighted Internet software.
“For most of our potential clients, production and detail design requirements fluctuate,” explained Genoa Design’s president, Leonard Pecore. “We’re offering them an economical and stable solution to meet their changing needs. They can get their work done right away with the added convenience of being able to virtually look over our shoulders at their work in progress, 24 hours a day.”

One of the challenges that Genoa faced in developing an online system was ensuring that clients would feel comfortable working with a remote office. “This kind of connectivity is new in our field,” Mr. Pecore said. “Basically, we’ve set our operation up to ensure that we’re as convenient as having a person work across the hallway. With the resources we have, we can jump right into a project with minimal preparation outside the norm. Another great advantage of the system is not having to worry about geographic boundaries.”