The superyacht industry has historically relied on "Dock Walking" - where technology salespeople would visit marinas to pitch directly to yacht technical personnel and captains. Due to security concerns and pandemic restrictions, this practice has largely disappeared in the past six years, creating significant information flow challenges:
- Technology suppliers can no longer easily showcase their products to yacht decision-makers
- Yacht teams have limited visibility into available technologies beyond what shipyards and project managers present
- Innovative technologies struggle to reach the market as they cannot get onto approved supplier lists
- Yacht projects often default to familiar but potentially less efficient or more expensive technologies
- Shipyards and established suppliers maintain control through restrictive contracts and outdated specifications
The Superyacht Technology Platform aims to bridge this gap by creating a comprehensive database of yacht technologies, enabling virtual pitching, and providing structured project management tools.
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Breaking Information Monopolies
- The platform democratizes access to technology information, preventing shipyards and established suppliers from gatekeeping.
- Yacht teams gain direct access to a wider range of technologies than traditionally presented.
- New and innovative suppliers can reach decision-makers without needing pre-existing relationships.
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Virtual Dock Walking
- Technology suppliers can showcase their products through detailed profiles and virtual pitches.
- Yacht teams can "virtually dock walk" by browsing technologies, watching demonstrations, and comparing options.
- The physical limitations of traditional dock walking are overcome, expanding reach and accessibility.
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Transparent Project Management
- Projects can be planned with full visibility into available technologies and specifications.
- Hidden costs and contract tricks become harder to implement with transparent comparison tools.
- Teams can collaborate efficiently with shared project workspaces and technology selections.
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Technology Research Hub
- The platform serves as a comprehensive research tool for yacht technology planning.
- Projects can be structured, saved, and revisited throughout planning and implementation phases.
- Decision-makers can make informed choices based on comprehensive, unbiased information.
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Technology Discovery
- As an ETO (Electro-Technical Officer), I want to browse a comprehensive database of yacht technologies, so I can discover the latest options available beyond what my shipyard recommends.
- As an AV/IT officer, I want to filter technologies by category, specifications, and ratings, so I can quickly find solutions that meet my specific requirements.
- As a yacht engineer, I want to compare multiple technologies side-by-side, so I can make informed decisions based on specifications and value.
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Technology Evaluation
- As a technical team member, I want to watch demonstration videos and virtual pitches from suppliers, so I can evaluate technologies without physical dock visits.
- As an ETO, I want to read unbiased technical specifications and reviews from other yacht professionals, so I can trust the information I'm receiving.
- As a yacht engineer, I want to save interesting technologies to my profile, so I can reference them later during project planning.
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Project Management
- As a technical officer, I want to create project specifications with preferred technologies, so I can plan yacht systems comprehensively.
- As an ETO, I want to manage technology budgets transparently, so I can avoid unexpected costs and contract tricks.
- As a project team member, I want to track the status of technology installations, so I can coordinate with other systems and timelines.
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Market Presence
- As a technology supplier, I want to create a company profile showcasing my technologies, so I can establish visibility in the yacht market.
- As a new supplier, I want to get my innovative products in front of yacht decision-makers, so I can break into the market despite not being on traditional "approved lists."
- As a supplier, I want to upload demonstration videos and virtual pitch content, so I can effectively showcase my products without physical dock visits.
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Technology Promotion
- As a supplier, I want to highlight my technology's advantages through detailed specifications and comparisons, so decision-makers understand my competitive edge.
- As a technology company, I want to receive feedback and ratings on my products, so I can improve based on real user experiences.
- As a sales representative, I want to reach yacht teams directly through the platform, so I can bypass traditional gatekeepers like shipyards.
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Market Intelligence
- As a supplier, I want to see what technologies are commonly selected for projects, so I can understand market trends.
- As a technology company, I want to analyze which features yacht teams prioritize, so I can develop more competitive products.
- As a supplier, I want to understand typical project budgets for my technology category, so I can price competitively.
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Project Planning
- As a project manager, I want to create comprehensive technology specifications for new builds or refits, so I can ensure all systems are properly planned.
- As a manager, I want to invite relevant team members to collaborate on project specifications, so we can make decisions collectively.
- As a project lead, I want to save templates of successful technology configurations, so I can reuse them for future projects.
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Technology Selection
- As a project manager, I want to compare technologies based on specifications, price, and performance, so I can select the best options for my project.
- As a manager, I want to get recommendations based on yacht size and type, so I can ensure appropriate technology selections.
- As a project lead, I want to maintain a list of preferred technologies and suppliers, so I can standardize across multiple projects.
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Budget Management
- As a project manager, I want to track technology costs against budgets, so I can prevent cost overruns.
- As a manager, I want transparency in pricing and contracts, so I can avoid hidden fees and predatory practices.
- As a project lead, I want to forecast total technology costs early in the project, so I can set realistic expectations with owners.
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Technology Integration
- As a shipyard, I want to maintain a list of qualified technology suppliers, while still allowing for owner-specified alternatives.
- As a shipyard engineer, I want to ensure selected technologies meet regulatory requirements and integration standards.
- As a shipyard project manager, I want to review and approve technology selections based on feasibility and compatibility.
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Project Coordination
- As a shipyard coordinator, I want to track technology installation timelines, so I can coordinate with other construction phases.
- As a shipyard manager, I want to collaborate with external technology suppliers efficiently, so we maintain project schedules.
- As a shipyard, I want to document technology installations for warranty and service purposes.
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Platform Management
- As an administrator, I want to verify company and user profiles, so the platform maintains credibility and trust.
- As an admin, I want to moderate technology listings and ratings, so information remains accurate and fair.
- As a platform manager, I want to analyze user engagement and popular technologies, so I can improve the platform experience.
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Content Curation
- As an admin, I want to feature innovative technologies, so users discover new options.
- As a content manager, I want to organize technologies into logical categories and subcategories, so users can navigate easily.
- As an administrator, I want to ensure pitch videos meet quality standards, so the platform maintains professional expectations.