Vizada has launched SkyFile® Mail 7.5, the latest update to its email service for crew members to use on board ship. By eliminating a number of constraints that are typical of on-board communications systems, Vizada aims to provide crew with greater flexibility and independence to call family and friends.

Vizada’s MyMail feature in the SkyFile Mail 7.5 software package enables crew to create a prepaid email account with personal username and password and use that account on different ships. Vizada is also the only provider to enable crew to do this on board ship, rather than rely on an administrator or communications officer on shore. This allows individuals to take independent control of their on-ship communications for the very first time. Unlike other prepaid email systems on the market, SkyFile Mail 7.5 allows email attachments of all types and size, enabling crew members to send data files such as photographs or images. Large bills can be avoided by programming black & white lists so that the user receives emails only from known senders and which filter specific emails or heavy attachments.

SkyFile Mail 7.5 also enables crew members to access webmail accounts, meaning that emails sent and received via this type of account while on board ship can also be consulted on shore. The SkyFile Mail messaging software can be used in prepaid mode with Inmarsat and Iridium mobile satellite terminals while on board ship. Crew members buy fixed amounts of communications credit on a Vizada Universal Card™ to make voice calls and send emails and text messages once the SkyFile 7.5 software is installed on the PC on board. The user pays only for the credit purchased on the prepaid card.