For many, technology is an unclear and diffuse term; this is not very strange considering there are so many forms of technology. Many think mainly of advanced technology, like that needed for space shuttles to bring people to outer space.  

The other extreme might be all the small improvements we use on a daily basis, which make the product simpler to use, and life easier.  

In today’s society technology becomes an essential part of nearly every product we surround us with. This includes materials, cars and especially electronics. Consider for example the new digital cameras, packed with electronics making them fully automatic and easy to use compared to those 20-30 years ago, where the adjustments alone took so much time that the photo-objects got bored long before the photographer was ready to take the picture. And the film: now it is merely a small chip with space for hundreds of pictures. Thanks to technology photography has become a lot easier, and extremely cheap if one likes to take many pictures.

Technology (from Greek tekhne = skill) will be described by most in two different ways:

• An advanced product created with modern technology and futuristic solutions
• A product which is easy to use in order to reach the desired results 

Scanmar has always prioritized user benefits. What does this mean in practice?

• That the products can easily and reasonably be upgraded with new sensors and solutions when needed – impossible without the advanced technology that is developed and implemented in all products, ready to be used when the fishermen need it.
• That they are reliable and work under all conditions – impossible without an advanced hydroacoustic transmission link based on experience with noise level from thousands of vessels.
• That the sensors are robust and can endure rough treatment – impossible without an advanced molding technology, developed and redeveloped through 30 years.
• That the sensors are reliable and that the need for service and repair is minimal – impossible with traditional technology because of pressure, blows and shock, the components have to be protected individually.  

To accomplish this we have had to develop a lot of new technology, which has been both difficult and costly, because completely new and unknown technology had to be developed, and also because a lot of testing and trials had to be done under realistic conditions onboard fishing vessels in the fishing grounds. These are products that demand a lot of knowledge and experience, and not something one can easily put together at a simple electronics lab. We have seen many examples of this, and it becomes increasingly important in the future.  

Without the technology development we have had, there would not be products that always work, precise and dependable and with next to no need for service and repair. This is why Scanmar has the unique market position is does.  

We can mention one thing in particular; for the new sensors Scanmar had spent many million Norwegian kroners to develop a completely new charging technology. With the new charging technology Scanmar has developed, the new Scanmar sensors can be fully charged in 2.5 hours. With normal charging, used by other suppliers the charging time would be 12-16 hours, which means hauls without sensors, or an extra set of sensors.  

In this special edition of Scanmar Info we will focus on the utility of the new and advanced sensors and solutions we are about to introduce. At the same time we will take the opportunity to inform you of some of the new technology development that lies behind and makes it possible: We believe most readers will see that the one is impossible without the other.  

The goal is that the new technology will contribute to fishermen improving their efficiency and increasing their earnings.