[Satnews] GTMaritime has announced GTMailPlus, a shipboard email system designed to reflect the evolution of maritime communications.
Usage of GTMailPlus is already approaching 1,000 ships and builds on the popular GTMail platform in use on over 3,000 vessels. Its development was driven by a need to provide enhanced functionality at a time when shipowners and managers are considering the use of higher bandwidth satellite services. The software is designed to be ‘ship-shore centric’ with improved ease of use from point of installation, to operation, support and reporting, says GTMaritime Managing Director Rob Kenworthy.
“GTMailPlus brings together the experience, knowledge and understanding gained over 18 years with GTMail to deliver enhanced functionality with a recognizable interface. Shipowners and managers understand the importance of high quality shipboard email and whatever satellite network they choose, they can be assured that GTMailPlus delivers a safe, secure and reliable connection. The shipping industry spends a lot of money on connectivity but relying on free email software risks creating a single point of failure. Email is a business continuity tool for shipowners and they need software they can rely on to be 100 percent fully operational, designed for satellite and can still help to keep costs under control, because data sent ‘out of bundle’ or on backup systems is expensive. Smarter ships rely on efficient connections.”
Designed as an IMAP-centric platform for maximum flexibility, GTMailPlus delivers operational benefits to both ship and shoreside users. Superintendents access email via an intuitive web mail dashboard, with simple configuration, policy and rule management. Owners and managers can see connection status across their fleet, including vessel position mapping.
Onboard ship, the software is self-installing and can be configured to recognize available connections and airtime bundles for Least Cost Routing and optimum availability. A simple interface removes need for cumbersome client/server email and users can access any POP-3 compatible email address, using their corporate or GTMailPlus address.
As connectivity choices increase for shipping companies the need for high quality, reliable and robust shipboard email is as relevant as ever, added Kenworthy.