Shipowners will use intelligence on satellite communications and applications use to increase efficiency and enhance crew welfare with two new services
AST Group has introduced Integra See+ and Integra Control Lite applications to enable vessel operators to visualise usage and control access to satellite communications in real-time.
These services will provide vessel owners with more flexible and cost-effective ways to view, restrict, block and report on applications used over their satellite connection, said AST Group managing director Gregory Darling.
“Working closely with our customers provides us with valuable insight into their operational needs and allows us to develop empowering solutions designed to increase efficiency and enhance crew welfare while saving costs,” he said.
Integra See+ gives shipowners and managers a breakdown of satellite communications traffic by application category for the top 10 individual applications used over AST services during the current month.
Vessel operators can then drill down into each category to view individual application usage over a three-month period. This provides visibility and intelligence on usage patterns.
Integra Control Lite accurately and automatically monitors satellite communications and individual applications’ use. Vessel operators can define usage thresholds and will be alerted if these are crossed.
This gives a previously unavailable layer of proactive intelligence and a greater level of risk mitigation against excessive usage, said AST.
A user can block the service or category once a threshold is reached, preventing further usage and connectivity costs.
Both services operate over AST’s Integra Network that delivers secure end-to-end connectivity as it includes multi-layered cyber security application, Integra CyberShield.
Integra Network supports connectivity to any satellite IP network and communications equipment and currently connects to the satellite networks of Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya and VSAT services.
AST provides Ku-band connectivity using Panasonic-subsidiary ITC Global’s network of 45 satellites, 300 beams and 8 GHz. It provides Ka-band communications through Inmarsat’s Global Xpress and Telenor Satellite’s Thor 7 services.
AST also provides satellite-based telematics for vessel monitoring and management.
In September, AST Marine Sciences started providing Scotland-headquartered Briggs Marine with iRAMS telematics on two new 13.6-m pilot vessels, built by Goodchild Marine.
iRAMS enables shoreside and fleet managers to monitor and control vessel performance. This remote asset management system sends alerts if there is an issue identified with the vessel, often before the crew are aware.
Vessel operators can gain greater understanding through proactive intelligence by attending Riviera Maritime Media’s series of Optimised Ship Forums, the first of these being on 1 October in Hamburg, Germany
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