Jan De Nul NV opts for an outdoor WLAN connection based on LANCOM access points for Palm Island Project in Dubai
The solution results from a successful collaboration between Jan De Nul Group, Kappa Data and LANCOM Systems
Aachen, April 26, 2007 – The Jan De Nul NV, a worldwide leading dredging company, is using a wireless connection to link their ships deployed on the Palm Island Project in Dubai and their office in Aalst, Belgium. For this purpose, they opted for a WLAN connection with the LANCOM OAP-54 Wireless access points from LANCOM Systems.
Off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, numerous projects are being carried out that involve the creation of the world's largest group of artificial islands. Each of the three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira and Palm Jebel Ali) is shaped like a palm tree and they are being created by means of land reclamation at sea. To create these islands, sand is excavated from the sea floor of the Persian Gulf and then used to construct the bases of the islands. The first island was delivered in 2004; the reclamation activities for the final island, Palm Island Jebel Ali, were completed late in 2006.
Similar to the Waterfront project to the west of the island, Palm Jebel Ali was constructed by the Jan De Nul Group, the world’s leading dredging company. The Jan De Nul Group dredging vessels are followed by smaller survey ships that perform depth measurements. The resulting data has to reach the onshore office as soon as possible for processing.
Michel De Vylder, IT Operations & Networking at Jan De Nul NV: “After performing measurements, we can now forward the collected data immediately without wasting valuable time. Although setting up a ship-to-shore WLAN connection involved a considerable investment, it paid for itself within six months.”
To improve communication between the site in Dubai and the Belgian office, Jan De Nul NV investigated the possibility of setting up a wireless WLAN connection between its onshore locations and ships. In mid-2006, the company decided to set up a shore-based point-to-multipoint connection using LANCOM OAP-54 Wireless access points.
Patrick Casteels, Managing Director of Kappa Data, the Belgian distributor of network and security solutions, and the person responsible for the project: “We recommend LANCOM Systems for projects of this type. LANCOM delivers high-grade and stable solutions at a fair price. For this project, we collaborated with 2 integrators, All Communications and Technovisie, who first installed 19 and later another 5 OAP-54 access points from LANCOM Systems. Each of the survey ships is equipped with an OAP-54 Wireless access point with an omni-directional antenna; two sector antennas are used for the shore-based connections. Onshore and on the ships, an additional firewall was installed to control access. Using 1 Watt boosters, a total range of 20 kilometers can be achieved at sea“. The WLAN network is managed from the office in Aalst.
Jan De Nul NV is highly satisfied with the LANCOM Systems WLAN connection and the collaboration with Kappa Data. “The expertise and value-added services provided by Kappa Data have won us over. Together with the integrator, Kappa Data came up with the right proposal for us and provided us with support during the test configuration set-up at our laboratory,” comments Michel De Vylder. “Thanks to the wireless connections by LANCOM Systems, communications now take place flawlessly, despite the occasionally quite large distances across the sea. The installation of the wireless connection constitutes a major breakthrough that allows us to send data to the shore immediately after completion of dredging or survey activities, which saves our crew an enormous amount of time. At the same time, we are able to minimize the costs of data transfer.” E-mail and file traffic also take place through the WLAN connection. The IT department in Aalst is even able to take control of the onboard computers should any problems occur.
Jan Buis, Country Manager Benelux for LANCOM Systems: “Jan De Nul Group is one of our prestige projects, and we are delighted to be able to consider this leading dredging company as our customer. This project is the result of a solid collaboration with our Belgian distributor Kappa Data, which has already secured a number of prominent Belgian customers.”
Jan De Nul NV is planning to further expand its site with higher antenna masts, and is currently evaluating the installation of an additional WLAN in Abu Dhabi, a new site of the Jan De Nul Group.
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LANCOM Systems background
LANCOM Systems GmbH is a leading German manufacturer of reliable communications solutions for large enterprises and SMEs, public authorities and institutions. The company supplies products and software for IP-based VPN, VoIP and wireless networks, along with support and services. These solutions are planned and developed specifically for the requirements of business customers. The company's focus is on Internet access products with integrated high-quality firewalls for ADSL, SDSL, ISDN and UMTS access and on comprehensive solutions for network connectivity and security with virtual private networks (VPN), wireless networks (wireless LAN) and public spots. LANCOM Systems GmbH is headquartered in Würselen near Aachen and has sales offices in Munich, London, Madrid, Bolzano, Tilburg and Prague. Ralf Koenzen and Ulrich Prinz are the company's founders and Managing Directors.
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About Kappa Data
Founded in 1998, Kappa Data is a value-added distributor of network and security solutions. It provides resellers in the SME segment with products, end-to-end solutions and services. Resellers can call on Kappa Data for Internet security, network connectivity, secure wireless networks, Voice over IP and IP telephony. Apart from marketing products, Kappa Data also provides presales and post-sales support, training, configuration support and other services. Kappa Data’s partners are guaranteed a personal approach and smooth communication with various staff members, in which the focus is always on developing a long-term collaboration. Kappa Data has offices in Vilvoorde, Brussels and De Pinte, Gent.
For more information, please visit www.kappadata.be.
About Jan De Nul Group
Jan De Nul NV was founded in 1938 by Jan De Nul. Initially, the company performed civil-engineering and naval architecture projects. Its first major dredging project was initiated in 1951. Today, Jan De Nul NV, the largest division of the Jan De Nul Group, is the world leader in dredging and reclamation works and other specialist services for offshore pipelines, rock dumping, salvage and heavy lifting. Jan De Nul Group also performs activities that involve strict environmental requirements, such as soil sanitation, waste disposal, oil treatment and recycling of organic waste. These projects are performed by its ENVISAN division.
Jan De Nul Group is a major player in the international dredging industry thanks to a staff of over 3,500 employees and the world’s most modern and technologically advanced dredging fleet. Jan De Nul Group’s capacity expansion policy regarding its new dredging fleet is without parallel in the dredging industry. Accordingly, the company possesses the world’s most state-of-the-art dredging fleet.