[SatNews] Airbus Defence and Space has released a new remote user account management functionality for its XChange communications management platform.

Introduced with the new XChange software version 3.2, this new functionality will significantly reduce time spent on board ships for management of crew accounts by providing a new and smart access to user accounts from shore via synchronization of short databases on shore and on board. Using the new offline management functionality introduced in XChange version 3.2, any changes made to crew accounts shore-side are automatically synchronized with a vessel’s on board user accounts database. The system provides full control of crew communications account management to a land-based Fleet Manager, so daily tasks such as creation or modification of groups, accounts and crew credit can be handled by the shore office. The system autonomously applies these changes, synchronizing with the XChange server on board over the satellite network.

The XChange communications management platform has been designed to offer shipping companies a single, integrated service delivery platform, which provides reliable connectivity to all satellite networks (VSAT and MSS) for high quality voice, VoIP, and data while cutting operational costs. XChange is the ideal platform to manage crew communications, especially considering the extended remote management functionality introduced with version 3.2, which meets the need to reduce costs and time spent on crew welfare management as facilities on board improve and become more complex, thanks to the greater availability of broadband connectivity at sea.

“We’ve noticed a growing requirement in the market to reduce non-role specific administration burden for senior staff on board, such as topping up crew credit or adding new accounts. With remote user account management, the time a Master or other appointed officer needs to focus on administrating a vessel’s crew Internet accounts can be reduced, freeing them up to focus on their operational tasks,” said Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime SATCOMs in Airbus Defence and Space.