Communication Technologies
One of the keys to a successful and profitable supply chain is reliable communication technologies. At every level — whether it’s shipping lines, trucking companies, distribution centers, or anyone in between — if communication is down, the supply chain suffers.
On the flip side, the better your communication with all the parties along the supply chain, the more efficiently the process runs. That’s why companies like the ones below continue to come out with cutting-edge technology. With their new products your company experiences both smoother operations and an improved bottom line.
Inmarsat Ltd.
Product: FleetBroadband
Platform: Powered by Inmarsat-4 satellites
What Sets It Apart: FleetBroadband is the first maritime communications service to provide cost-effective broadband data and voice, simultaneously, through a compact antenna on a global basis. Delivered via some of the most advanced commercial communications satellites ever launched, and expected to be in operation until around 2020, FleetBroadband provides constant, simultaneous access to voice and high-speed data services, on a global basis. Sea-goers can send and receive email with large file attachments, comfortably run complex data applications and make voice calls at the same time — more affordably than ever before. The terminal is quick and easy to install. Regardless of the type or size of vessel, FleetBroadband offers a compact solution that can easily be accommodated, providing optimal connectivity — no matter the position or the conditions at sea.
Customers: FleetBroadband is designed for all those at sea, from small fishing boats and leisure yachts to massive cargo
and tanker ships.
Web site: www.inmarsat.com/
Iridium Satellite LLC
Product: Iridium OpenPort
Platform: High-bandwidth shipboard satellite communication system, providing ship-shore voice and data links
What Sets It Apart: Iridium OpenPort provides three independent phone circuits and a high-speed data port with scalable rates from 9.6 to 128 kbps. The compact lightweight antenna array has no moving parts, reducing costs of installation and maintenance. Iridium service providers offer a wide range of low-cost packages for voice and data services. The system leverages Iridium’s constellation of 66 low-earth-orbit cross-linked satellites to provide truly global coverage for ships at sea, including Arctic shipping routes.
Customers: Iridium OpenPort is suitable for oceangoing vessels of all types and sizes, including large cargo ships, commercial fishing vessels, as well as private yachts.
Web site: www.iridiumopenport.com
Agiosat Global Communications
Product: Agiosat Networks for Government & Enterprise
Platform: Global Satellite Network Platform — an IP-centric process enabling connectivity solutions delivered across multiple satellites to fixed, portable and mobile (maritime, aeronautical and rail) platforms. The delivery mechanism is a transparent grid of satellite and fiber interconnection that reaches anywhere on the planet.
What Sets it Apart: Agiosat prides itself in becoming “the satellite department” for an enterprise or agency, interleaving the threads of required connectivity with the processes of the customer. This is accomplished through company-owned teleport and telecommunication facilities in the United States and affiliate facilities in Europe and Asia. Resilient voice, video, data, VTC and 2-way PTT services are a standard part of the delivery portfolio. Specific solutions to match client processes are engineered by a team of IT and satellite professionals extensive experience.
Customers: Shipping lines, railroads, global logistic enterprises, government agencies, global response organizations, DoD/MoD logistics and forward area operations.
Web site: www.agiosat.com
Qualcomm Enterprise Services
Product: MCP 100, MCP 200
Platform: MCP200 Series: The Mobile Computing Platform 200 Series is an end-to-end solution that enables transportation companies to transform the cab into a mobile operations center.
MCP100 Series: The Mobile Computing Platform 100 Series is specifically engineered to optimize transportation companies operations.
What sets it Apart: Qualcomm incorporates a variety of innovative features to ensure safety and productivity:
• The text-to-speech feature improves productivity by allowing drivers to safely access incoming messages without distractions or having to stop the truck.
• Audio messages can be broadcast simultaneously to your entire fleet, ensuring timely delivery of critical information.
• Because service enhancements are deployed quickly without touching the truck or taking vehicles off of the road, customers experience improved uptime.
• Wi-Fi enables video training and access to your company’s intranet.
Customers: The MCP200 platform will be commercially available in summer 2009. MCP100 customers include Cargo Transporters and Davis Transfer.
Web site: www.qualcomm.com
In This Issue
News, Trends & Analysis
New Items
One big reason for a weak global trade outlook
Supply Chain
Public-private partnerships:
Inviting others to the table
Keeping your cargo cool
Compliance Corner: What you need to know about export commodity control numbers
Supply Chain product review
Communication technologies
Features
Gateway at a glance – Latin America
U.S. domestic shipping looks ahead
Ports & infrastructure
East Coast ports and terminals moving dirt, doing deals
Port Product Review
Refrigeration technologies
Commentary
Difficult times create opportunities
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