In the case of one, there are specifications, technical details and inspection details, and in the other, there are weather forecasts, updates on conditions at sea and meteorological data. Lloyd's goes live Lloyd's Register has ventured onto the internet with great results. The service was unveiled at Nor-Shipping 99 in Oslo, Norway. ClassDirect, LR's earlier service, had relied on the use of floppy disks for the transfer of information. While it was a very successful service, it was also an increasingly unwieldy one in light of the technology available on the internet.
Security is, of course, one of the major concerns surrounding the use of the internet.
Access is managed, and users must have a username and password. All client information is encrypted and LR assures customers that their accounts are completely confidential. In fact, it has been so effective that it has been shortlisted for the Financial Times' 1999 International Business Website of the Year Award. In the future, Lloyd's is considering an extension of the service, including areas such as the exchange of ship plans and the planning of enhanced surveys. ABS-NS offers a software package called SafeNet which consists of many distinct, but integratable modules geared towards shipmanagement, administration and the provision of information on operational, financial and technical aspects of ship operation.