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07.09.2000

Visma Marine launches maritime computer



Visma Marine ASA, a subsidiary of Visma ASA, has launched a new product area: AMOS Computer. The company has developed PC-compatible computers which have been certified by Det Norske Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyds for use on board ships. Compared with standard hardware, the AMOS Computer is far more robust in withstanding the shocks, vibrations, humid conditions and temperature fluctuations that are common on seagoing vessels.
AMOS Computer will be supplied both to shipping companies and to manufacturers of marine equipment that integrate computers in their complete product offering.
Information about the AMOS Computer is available at www.spectec.net
The market for maritime certified computers is estimated at between 3000 and 5000 per year on a global basis, but substantial growth is expected when the �black box� becomes mandatory on all commercial vessels in the next five years.
The margins on specialized hardware requiring a high level of expertise are much higher than on PCs, and the break-even point for Visma Marine will involve sales of about 500 units per year, corresponding to about NOK 15 million. The first deliveries took place in August 2000, and in the third quarter of 2000 Visma Marine expects sales of about NOK 2 million in this product area.
In the fourth quarter, sales of about NOK 3 million are forecast; for the whole of 2001, NOK 20 million, and for 2002, NOK 40 million.
More than 70% of the products will be exported. The first major customers that have chosen AMOS Computer are General Electric and L3-Communication in the USA, and Vickers/Rolls Royce in Norway and the UK.




For further information, please contact:

Thomas Falck, Managing Director, Visma Marine ASA, +47 6752 5500
�ystein Moan, CEO, Visma ASA, (+47) 6752 5500.