Dear Valued Customers,
We hope this message finds you well.
In our previous “ORCA NEWS” issue on building remote work environments compatible with ships, we explained how to use cloud services (Office365, G-Suite) to connect with ships. This time, we will explain the steps to connect ships using the established remote work environment onshore.
1.Establishing the Necessary Communication Environment on Ships:
Cloud services like Office365 and G-Suite rely on internet connections, so ships need a constant broadband connection to use these services. The available broadband environments on ships vary, and their practical functionalities are as follows:
・Text chat can be used without issues with FBB, VSAT, FX, and 3G/4G connections.
・Voice calls and conferences may have some limitations with FBB but work well with VSAT, FX, and 3G/4G connections.
・Video calls and conferences are not possible with FBB and may have limitations with VSAT and FX, but work well with 3G/4G connections.
Even with the latest FX environment, sufficient bandwidth for smooth video conferences may not be guaranteed, but it should be at a “usable level.”
3G/4G connections available during port calls provide practical performance for video conferences. Even ships equipped with FX should use 3G/4G for better performance during port calls.
Additionally, 3G/4G can be used on ships without broadband connections. Given the current COVID-19 situation, it is becoming increasingly difficult to install new VSAT/FX connections, so we recommend providing ships with 3G/4G connections as a temporary solution.
If the connection conditions are already met, setting permissions for the communication ports used by each service is necessary. We can assist with this setup.
2.Creating Shipboard Accounts:
To use the above cloud services for ship-to-shore communication, ships also need accounts. For Office365 and Skype, use the current ship email address to register the account. For ships using G-Suite, create an account with @gmail.com.
It is important not to create ship accounts with the company domain to prevent ship accounts from accessing the company cloud, which is a cybersecurity measure that will be explained in detail later.
・Cloud service used by the company – Ship account
―Office365: Create Teams account with the current ship email address
―G-Suite: Create a new account with @gmail.com
―Skype: Create Skype account with the current ship email address
3.Configuring Ship PCs:
Once accounts are set up, ships can use chat, voice calls, and video conferences.
・Cloud service – How to use
―Office365: Install and launch Teams software
―G-Suite: Log in via browser (Edge, Chrome)
―Skype: Install and launch Skype software
Once launched and logged in, mutual calling and communication are possible.
4.Utilizing Shipboard Smartphones:
While the above communication can be conducted on PCs, using dedicated smartphones or tablets provided to ships is also effective. With a smartphone, the captain can carry it at all times, enabling real-time communication as needed. It also allows mobility within the ship, useful during onboard incidents or meetings outside the captain’s office.
A dedicated wireless WiFi-AP should be installed to connect smartphones to the ship’s LAN. Our ORiON PLUS Mail Premium service offers comprehensive support, including the installation of smartphones and WiFi-APs, so please consider utilizing this service.
This is how to connect ships and onshore facilities using the latest cloud services. Both onshore and shipboard setups are necessary, but improved communication lines have made this level of connectivity possible. The importance of this setup has increased significantly in light of the current COVID-19 situation.
We support these setups and encourage interested customers to consult with us.
Thank you for your continued support.