Richard Davies wrote: The UK has a good crop of technology pioneers in cloud computing - for example ElasticHosts, FlexiScale, Flexiant, OnApp - and also some strong government initiatives such as G-Cloud.
We will have to see whether this kind of technical leadership converts into swift mass-market adoption or not.
Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) announces that it played a major role in
the successful opening of Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International
Airport (BCIA). Unisys developed, integrated and is currently managing
the core systems at BCIA Terminal 3, which became fully operational on
March 26, 2008 and is now the world’s largest
airport terminal building. The Terminal 3 expansion project will provide
the critical transportation infrastructure needed by Beijing to host the
2008 Olympic Summer Games. BCIA will be able to handle a targeted 76
million passengers and 580,000 flights a year with peak hours handling
more than 124 flights per hour by 2015.
The BCIA authorities awarded the Terminal 3 Master Systems Integration
contract to Unisys in mid-2005. Unisys assigned a dedicated team of
technical and functional experts on design and development, integrated
system architecture, testing, training, documentation and overall
program management to work on this mission-critical assignment.
The IT management at BCIA has stated that it is very satisfied that the
system integrated by Unisys is running smoothly. BCIA has enhanced its
airport operation management by capitalizing on Unisys expertise in this
area.
As the master systems integrator, Unisys was responsible for a number of
key deliverables, allowing the airport’s
operations to be supported by efficient, flexible technology. Unisys
major responsibilities for this project included:
Ground Operation Information System (GOIS) –
Unisys designed, developed and implemented the GOIS that manages the
flight information for the entire airport, covering Terminals 1, 2 and
3. The GOIS continually receives the latest flight-related information
from air traffic control, airline systems, various operational systems
and handling agents, stores the information in the airport operational
database and disseminates this real-time data to pertinent airport
systems and key stakeholders in the airport community. The system
includes a sophisticated resource management component to oversee and
allocate various key airport resources such as stands, gates, check-in
counters and baggage carousels to maximize efficiency and minimize
flight delays. The system also enables airport officials to monitor
whether the airport is delivering the correct levels of service to
airlines and passengers, therefore improving both airport operations
and the traveler experience.
Integration Framework Design – Unisys
designed the overall integration framework for the new Terminal 3
systems and successfully integrated more than 20 core operational
systems prior to the terminal’s opening.
Unisys then implemented the system, which resulted in seamless
interoperability of disparate systems and a scalable, manageable
integration architecture.
Migration Strategy –Unisys assisted
in defining the overall strategy for the migration and production of
the new IT systems prior to the progressive transfer of flights to
Terminal 3. BCIA mandated that the IT systems migration not impact
current operations in Terminals 1 and 2. Unisys designed the strategic
plan so that the new Terminal 3 Airport Operational Database would
manage the acquisition of all flight-related information for the
entire airport from external sources, such as air traffic control, and
in turn, distribute this data to the terminal operational databases
for Terminals 1 and 2 as well.
Future Operational Model – Based on
its 3D BlueprintingTMapproach, Unisys
consulted on the future operational model for BCIA, allowing it to
become a major hub airport and to more effectively compete with other
major airports in the region. Leveraging this proven methodology and
the company’s domain experience at other
airports, such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Unisys
recommended a new operational model for BCIA’s
business and operational practices, and allows the airport to
continually assess future changes in its operational processes now
that Terminal 3 is up and running.
“BCIA realized the importance of building a
new terminal to significantly expand capacity while maximizing the
operations of the entire airport, and Unisys was honored to be a part of
this effort,” said Olivier Houri, president
and general manager, Unisys Global Transportation. “Beijing
Airport’s Terminal 3 is setting a new
benchmark for service and operational excellence with its advanced IT
systems, and all airport constituents – from
employees to travellers – will benefit.”
About BCIA
Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd. was incorporated as a
Sino-foreign joint stock company with limited liability in People's
Republic of China (PRC) to operate the international airport in Beijing,
PRC and certain ancillary commercial businesses. The company is mainly
engaged in aeronautical and non-aeronautical business of the Beijing
Airport. For more information, visit www.bcia.com.cn.
About Unisys
Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions
company. We provide consulting, systems integration, outsourcing and
infrastructure services, combined with powerful enterprise server
technology. We specialize in helping clients use information to create
efficient, secure business operations that allow them to achieve their
business goals. Our consultants and industry experts work with clients
to understand their business challenges and create greater visibility
into critical linkages throughout their operations. For more
information, visit www.unisys.com.
Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands
and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.