Vizada has launched the Crew PC, a dedicated computer data system for
crew members which enables crew to send e-mails and use the internet
completely separately from business communications.
The Crew PC is a pre-configured onboard PC which is connected to a
satellite data terminal, such as FleetBroadband or VSAT, to provide
instant access to data communications services like e-mail, chat and
internet access.
All services run over a dedicated prepaid channel, keeping them
completely separate from applications required for business purposes.
The Crew PC provides a common interface resembling a standard Windows
environment, and provides access only to designated e-mail accounts and
applications, preventing crew from downloading heavy files or software
applications which generate significant bills.
It is also ‘recognised’ as a mobile device similar to a smartphone so
that mobile-enabled internet sites are automatically triggered to reduce
the number of image downloads. A data compression function can be
activated to further reduce the cost of web browsing.
Crew PC runs over a dedicated pre-paid line which quarantines business
systems from any viruses introduced by private downloads or USB devices,
as well as having its own built-in firewall.
Vizada is providing Crew PC free of charge to shipping companies
purchasing 100 or more of its Universal Cards, the company's pre-paid
communications service.
Buss Data GmbH, part of the German-based shipping organisation Reederei
Buss, participated in the test phases of crew PC, and Swen Kleinau, IT
manager at Buss Data, believes that this new crew option has been
beneficial.
"We’ve been using the service since May 2011 and really appreciate the
fact that it is preconfigured in a way that prohibits crew from
installing software or changing settings," he said.
"When they reboot the PC, the default settings wipe out any changes
made. It has reduced crew comms admin to next to nothing and as a result
we plan to install the system on more than 50 of the Buss vessels."
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