Digital Ship, a popular publication geared towards maritime e-business, software, online information services as well as marine electronics, is organizing successful conferences on information technology subjects. A new conference facilitated by the Digital Ship is dedicated to knowledge management, expert systems and distance learning. This first maritime knowledge technology conference will be held in Inmarsat Conference Centre, London, 7th May 2002.

The conference will address critical issues facing the maritime community in the coming years – how to utilize knowledge assets, whether internal or external, to improve day-to-day operations, eliminate inefficiencies and realize hidden profits. A focus will be on technologies that can improve training and knowledge management in the maritime industry. Delegates will learn from the experience of some of the leading companies about the status of technology and applications:

• How can computer systems help share knowledge between vessels and people in the company, and build up a corporate memory?
• What are the challenges with distance training and how to overcome them?
• How can computer systems reduce maintenance costs by up to 15 per cent?
• How can knowledge based expert systems help with procurement and integration of complex systems?
• How can knowledge be captured and applied to critical business processes to decrease errors, risks and costs while increasing productivity and quality?