The purpose of the Distance Tables Web Service is to allow software developers to integrate the distance and routing data available within the AtoBviaC Marine Distance Tables into their own software via a connection to the internet.

 

The web service requires individuals and/or companies to have an active subscription with AtoBviaC Ltd.  The subscription will be used to validate credentials and to maintain the count of distance calculations available to the user(s)

 

The web service can provide the shortest distance between two ports or the distance between two ports complying with routing restrictions.  These methods can also be used with a via port to further enhance the results.

 

The web service has a distance scanner built in which can be used to scan for distances within SECA and ECA areas and also Loadline zones.

 

Depending on the configuration of the subscription being used the service can also return the route used and if required a user configurable image of the route.

 

The web service is WSDL complaint and written using .NET 4.0 in C#.

 

You should use the preferred method of including a web service in your chosen application using the methods applicable for the language.

 

The URL of the service is:- http://www.atobviaconline.com/AbcWebService/AbcWebService.svc

 

To obtain the WSDL use:- http://www.atobviaconline.com/AbcWebService/AbcWebService.svc?wsdl

 

Web service performance is obviously dependent on two major factors, the server hosting the service and the speed of the internet connection used to 'talk' to the service. The service is hosted on a modern fast server with plenty of 'cores' and memory.  The new service appears to have the same performance if not slightly better than the old web service that it replaces bearing in mind that routes are now scanned geographically as they are being calculated.  The service will, if not used by anyone, go into sleep mode to conserve resources and may take a few seconds to 'wake up' if it is sleep mode.  The speed of calculations is not affected.

 

Demo software in the form of a WinForms application for Windows(tm) written in C# is available from AtoBviaC Ltd.  You should study the source of that application along with this help file.