Ocean Data Management - Make or Buy?

Why Buying an Ocean Data Platform is the Smarter Choice

In the competitive world of offshore wind development, companies are constantly seeking ways to gain a competitive edge. The data workflow of marine survey data from site assessments has emerged as a key factor in achieving this goal, providing valuable insights that can streamline operations in time, optimise resource allocation, and drive informed decision-making. However, extracting meaningful information from marine survey data in scale and time will soon become challenging without a robust ocean data platform using cloud technology and resources. 

Developing a proprietary ocean data platform from scratch is a daunting task, often involving significant investments in time, resources, and expertise. This is where the "make or buy" decision comes into play. Should offshore wind developers and asset owners invest in building their own ocean data platform or leverage the expertise of specialised providers? 

The Challenges of In-House Development 

Developing a centralised and cloud-based data platform from scratch can be fraught with challenges, including: 

• Risk of Failure: Building software from scratch is inherently risky. There's always a chance that the platform may not meet the desired specifications or encounter unforeseen technical challenges and dead ends, leading to delays, cost overruns, and project failure. 

• Timeline and Budget: In-house development is a lengthy and costly process, requiring significant investments in project management, research, design, and testing. This can strain resources and delay project timelines, especially in the fast-paced offshore wind industry with ambitious installation goals ahead. 

• Expertise Gap: Building a data platform requires specialised expertise in marine data management, cloud computing, software development, and domain knowledge (e.g. data acquisition, geophysical and hydrographic background). Offshore wind developers may not have and might not want to build up the necessary in-house expertise to navigate this complex undertaking. 

• Ongoing Maintenance and Enhancement: Once the platform is developed, ongoing maintenance, bug fixing, and feature enhancements are required to meet future requirements. This can divert resources away from core business activities and limit the developer's focus on their primary objectives.  
  

The Advantages of a Purchased Solution 

Purchasing a pre-existing ocean data platform offers several compelling advantages: 

• Reduced Risk and Costs: By partnering with a trusted provider like north.io, offshore wind developers can significantly reduce the risk of failure and the upfront costs associated with development. North.io's ocean data platform has been rigorously tested and proven to meet the needs of the offshore wind industry. 

• Time Efficiency: Using a ready Software-as-a-Service platform allows for immediate deployment, saving valuable time compared to the lengthy process of designing, developing, and testing a custom solution. This allows developers to focus on their core business and accelerate their projects at the same time. 

• Unparalleled Expertise: north.io has a large team of  experienced ocean data experts, software developers, and computer scientists providing comprehensive support and guidance throughout the implementation, and utilisation, and ensuring the ongoing development of the platform. 

• Continuous Innovation: north.io is committed to continuous improvement, constantly investing in the development of the ocean data platform. This ensures that users have access to the latest features, security updates, and industry-leading best practices, ensuring that their ocean data management remains cutting-edge. 

• Comprehensive Support: Purchased software typically includes comprehensive customer support and regular updates, ensuring that the platform remains current with technological advancements and security requirements. This eliminates the need for an in-house IT team to handle these aspects, freeing up resources for your business-critical tasks. 
  

Stick to Your Core Competencies: Leverage the Expertise of Specialised Providers 

To achieve their ambitious offshore wind development goals, companies will have to focus on their core competencies, innovate to scale according to their goals, and leverage the expertise of specialised providers like north.io to handle their ocean data management needs. This approach allows them to: 

Mitigate Risks and Costs: Using a ready Software-as-a-Service data platform eliminates the risk of failure at a fraction of the necessary development costs with immediate use and benefit. 

 Access Industry-Leading Expertise: Partnering with north.io provides access to a team of experienced professionals with deep knowledge of the offshore wind industry and ocean data management best practices.  

  Benefit from Continuous Innovation: Our commitment to innovation ensures permanent access to the latest features and security updates, using a no-maintenance Software-as-a-Service solution. 

Using a ready Software-as-a-Service geospatial data platform is the smarter choice for offshore wind developers. By leveraging the expertise and resources of a specialised provider, developers can focus on their core business activities, streamline their operations, and immediately gain a competitive edge in this dynamic industry. 

For more information about how north.io's Ocean Data Platform supports the offshore wind industry visit our product page.