SpeedCast Debuts SIGMA Net, a cloud-based vessel management system

SpeedCast International Limited, a global satellite communications and network service provider, has unveiled SIGMA Net, the new standard for shipping and remote site network management designed specifically for VSAT and MSS.

SIGMA Net is a small but powerful industrial-grade VSAT and MSS network management device designed for ships and remote sites, providing automated and efficient management of multiple WAN links. Cyber security is at the heart of SIGMA Net, which incorporates a stateful firewall and Virtual Private Networking between the vessel and the Internet plus unique methods to regulate Internet access, including rejection of update services to Windows or mobile devices.

Voice calling across multiple satellite equipment is simplified via SIGMA Net’s integrated VoIP server, allowing a caller to choose the outbound call route via a prefix. National numbers can also be allocated, allowing for cost-effective calling from shore to a vessel. Feature and performance enhancements are automatically applied, ensuring that the SIGMA Net’s software is always kept up to date.

SIGMA Net offers flexible crew services, including innovative pre-paid PIN-based BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Internet and voice calling services, allowing for simplified voucher generation and management from shore. SIGMA Net provides managed network segmentation between business critical, crew or M2M networks at the remote location.

The cloud-based SIGMA Net Portal brings a vessel or remote site closer to IT management through its innovative and secured portal. The browser-based SIGMA Net Portal provides remote management and configuration of SIGMA Net from shore. Any configuration changes made from the portal are instantly replicated to one or more SIGMA Net terminals, with full auditing of amendments recorded. Reliability and redundancy is a primary feature of SIGMA Net, with its configuration securely synchronized and stored to the portal. The portal also presents fully-featured and interactive reporting of all data transferred via the SIGMA Net WAN links onboard.

“SIGMA Net has introduced a new degree of connection and network management to the Danaos fleet,” said V Fotinias, Vessel IT Manager at Danaos Shipping, Greece. “The SIGMA Net Portal provides a web interface that enables remote configuration of SIGMA Net terminals across our fleet. The reporting provided by the SIGMA Net Portal gives us full visibility on traffic sent and received via the WAN links. Our vessel IT support team is able to easily and quickly resolve problems on board via SIGMA Net. The Danaos crew are extremely happy with the SIGMA Net prepaid vouchers for Internet access or crew calling.”

Danaos Shipping is one of the world’s largest containership owners, with a modern fleet of 59 container ships operating globally.

“SIGMA Net is a robust and secure cloud-based management platform that will both revolutionize and simplify vessel IT administration, both for shore-based support staff and a vessel’s crew,” said Dan Rooney, Maritime Product Director for SpeedCast. “The highly-configurable and flexible prepaid voucher services allow for time-consuming administrative tasks such as voucher generation to be managed centrally, rather than relying upon the Captain.”