[SatNews] Stratos Global Corporation has made commercial available AmosConnect 8, the latest generation of its popular AmosConnect solution. AmosConnect from Stratos integrates vessel and shore-based office applications and is an easy-to-use, yet highly sophisticated, application that seamlessly integrates email, fax, telex, GSM text, interoffice communication, and access for mobile personnel into a single messaging system.

AmosConnect 8 enhances new broadband IP-based maritime satellite services which include FleetBroadband, Iridium OpenPort and the VSAT solutions OceanVSAT and StratosITek. Integration with these broadband services enables users to control their sessions and ensure optimal airtime use directly from AmosConnect. The AmosConnect 8 portal brings all ship-relevant data to one central information page. For example, the sending of reports and the receipt of weather updates and company news is achieved within the same interface. With this new version, all service settings are remotely configurable from a central office. This functionality greatly reduces implementation and support time.

With AmosConnect 8, Stratos expands upon its popular application by delivering StratosNet Accelerator, extended remote configuration, cost allocation and extended message filtering — in addition to enhancing its current features of email messaging, automatic file transfer and data synchronization. These improvements help ensure streamlined operations, cost efficiency and optimization of available bandwidth. The new AmosConnect 8 optimizes the use of satellite airtime by automatically compressing and caching all transfers. AmosConnect 8 also supports all narrowband satellite connections. Stratos' new AmosConnect hub platform, featuring ultra-modern hardware technology, has been extensively tested and began operation this month.

Also now commercially available is AmosConnect Crew CommCenter, the latest version of its the Company's AmosConnect Crew satellite communications solution. AmosConnect Crew is an all-in-one communication solution for crewmembers and combines AmosConnect and Stratos ChatCard, two of Stratos' successful services. AmosConnect Crew enables personnel at sea to stay in contact with home via calling, email and SMS at affordable, flat global rates — thus helping retain qualified seafarers. It provides an easily manageable, separate account for each crewmember. The Internet functionality of the new software version is expanded beyond email to include true onboard Internet café features, such as prepaid web browsing, prepaid chatting and access to global and local news services.

AmosConnect Crew was originally developed in response to requests from ship managers who wanted a full crew-communication solution that would run entirely separate from the business communication onboard their vessels. AmosConnect Crew is based on the SMSCrewMail application from SMS Global Ltd. AmosConnect Crew becomes the industry's first complete, pre-paid onboard Internet café solution for crewmembers. It provides the first fully integrated, user-friendly interface for using email, SMS and the Internet. By using the latest version of AmosConnect Crew, crewmembers only need one prepaid Stratos ChatCard to access all modes of communication. In addition, individuals can be assigned a vessel-independent personal mailbox plus an international SMS number that can be used on any ship and on shore. Emails and SMS messages can be sent at a low cost and receipt of SMS messages and email is free of charge. Along with the pre-paid aspect of the solution, AmosConnect Crew enables users to easily manage their own communications budget.

AmosConnect Crew now also incorporates new cost-reduction and security features that enable ship managers to control the volume of Internet usage, control the size of messages, and minimize risks for onboard systems. The new application also benefits ship managers with greater cost savings and time savings made possible by minimal setup, administration and management requirements. Several leading ship-management companies, including Hong Kong's Wallem and Malaysia's MISC Berhad, have deployed AmosConnect Crew to improve crew welfare. The solution complies with the latest ITF recommendation to offer the option of free private email to all crewmembers.