GTMaritime has expanded its GT Hub platform with the launch of Operate, a new module that allows shoreside IT teams to send software deployments directly to vessels. It builds on GT Hub Identify and connects the platform’s view of fleet assets and vulnerabilities with the tools needed to act on them.

The launch marks the start of an early adopter phase, with GTMaritime working closely with an initial group of customers ahead of wider availability in the coming weeks.

GTMaritime will demonstrate Operate at SMM Hamburg, giving visitors the opportunity to see how shoreside IT teams can use the platform to manage software deployment across their fleets.

Identify gives operators a central view of fleet hardware and software, supported by asset discovery, vulnerability identification, compliance reporting and fleet dashboards. Operate adds the ability to deploy software across vessels from the same platform, reducing the need to manage routine changes through separate vessel-by-vessel processes. Windows Update management is planned as a future addition to Operate, further extending the actions IT teams will be able to manage centrally.

This affects cyber resilience as well as efficiency, because finding outdated software or a vulnerability is only useful if the operator can reach the affected vessels and apply the right change. Operate brings the identification and deployment stages together, rather than leaving teams to bridge that gap manually.

Jamie Jones, Managing Director of GTMaritime, said: “Knowing which systems and software are installed across a fleet is only the starting point. The real challenge is applying the right updates across ships with different systems and operating schedules, often with widely varying levels of connectivity.”

“A single decision ashore should not create a separate administrative task for every vessel. Operate allows IT teams to manage that work centrally, so they can spend less time coordinating routine deployments and more time dealing with issues that need their expertise.”

“We’re already working closely with customers who are keen to bring this capability into their fleet operations. This early adopter phase gives us the opportunity to work alongside those teams as we prepare Operate for wider availability in the coming weeks.”

The Operate package includes all the capabilities available through Identify, together with tools that allow IT teams to act on vulnerabilities by deploying software directly to vessels. Customers can start with Identify and move to Operate when they need those additional management capabilities, rather than changing everything at once.

GTMaritime is now working with early adopter customers as Operate moves towards wider availability. Windows Update management will follow as the capabilities of Operate continue to expand.

GT Hub has been built for distributed maritime environments, where vessels operate remotely and fleets often contain a mix of systems and equipment. It keeps fleet information, reporting and day-to-day IT management in one place, giving teams a clearer picture of what is installed and what needs to be done onboard.

The platform extends GTMaritime’s more than 25 years of experience in vessel communications and IT into fleet management and cybersecurity.