VDR (Vault Data Recorder) is an electronic device that records the voyage data from all sensors on a vessel. These devices store a wide range of information, including the position, speed and depth of the vessel in varying sea conditions. VDRs are able stand up to severe weather, collisions and even fire. VDRs are similar to the black box found in airplanes and the analysis of FDR data has proven to be extremely beneficial in decreasing the number of accidents experienced by airlines. It can be expected that analysis of VDR data will lead to an equal reduction in maritime accidents.
When selecting a vdr take into consideration the following aspects:
A user-friendly interface. A vdr ought to be intuitive and easy to use on any device, which means your team can review data at any time and from whenever they need to. It should also be able to support a variety of screen resolutions so that it is accessible across various devices. Find an interactive index structure that allows users to move folders and files around in real-time. A vdr should also permit tags to be added to document files to organize them beyond standard folder structures.
Secure document storage. Choose a vdr which comes with a variety of security features, including encryption and multi-factor authentication to ward off hacking attempts. It should also provide the option of using open and off save encryption to secure files during storage and prevent them from being read by unauthorized parties.
A reliable vdr should have a back-up server in the event of a primary server failing. When choosing a provider, ask what their uptime and downtime rates are and compare it against other providers in the market. Additionally, ensure that they have a dedicated support staff that can assist you with questions day or at night.