CASE STUDY
One of the advantages of using Aruba ClearPass has been the consolidation of the SSIDs around the airport . With a role-based approach , all the businesses can access the same SSID . Once they have been identified and authenticated , they gain access to their specific domain and approved network resources .
THE NETWORK IS THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE AIRPORT .
More efficient operations , a better passenger experience
Increasing the airport ’ s data capability means Gatwick , its passengers and on-site businesses will be able to take advantage of the latest technologies . The airport currently has 40 digital projects underway , many of which will completely change the passenger experience and improve efficiency across the airport . These include :
• Internet of Things – Deploying sensors to measure numerous parameters including waste bin levels , occupancy of check in desks , table availability or pond water levels
• Superfast Wi-Fi – Free Wi-Fi for passengers which typically gives more than 30mbps download speed
• New apps – The airport ’ s passengerfacing app currently has 100,000 downloads , the community app for staff has 13,000 users . Both apps will add new features and functionality
• Network for campus entities – Stable network services for airlines , ground handlers and retailers , improving the flexibility and stability of their business operations , in addition to generating IT related revenue for the airport
• CCTV & IPTV services – Ability to operate high-definition CCTV and IPTV systems
• Passenger flow analytics – Detection of passenger flow based on smartphone locations as well as heat maps identifying queuing and performance improvement opportunities
• Baggage reconciliation – Reliable Wi-Fi services for airlines to reconcile bags with passengers
• Machine learning and facial recognition – To bolster security or develop Passenger Journey Mapping so gate staff can track late running passengers and send notifications via apps
“ We ’ re also a reseller of IT services to many of our airline customers , our baggage customers and our retailers . We started selling services five years ago and realised £ 600,000 in revenue . Today we do £ 4.5m ,” said Corcoran . “ We now have optionality and flexibility to consume the technology in the way we want . And for the companies that we provide IT services to , we also extend that flexibility optionality .”
The data to inform a ‘ smart airport ’
“ IoT will be an increasingly important element of the airport ’ s future strategy ,” said Corcoran . “ It will impact everything from optimised schedules to aircraft turnaround times . Every process that requires human involvement offers an opportunity to automate and innovate . “ Campus-wide IoT is going to be huge for us ,” Corcoran added . “ We ’ re rolling out 2,000 beacons to help with digital wayfinding . I want to place sensors on everything in the airfield . I want to know where the steps are , what the refuelling trucks are doing , where each piece of baggage is and I want to hook this data back to a single data lake . And then I want to view multiple data sets from a single pane of glass .”
“ Not all innovation needs to be ‘ sexy ’,” Corcoran concluded . “ Sensors may make the emptying of waste bins more efficient , or create intelligent toilet cleaning schedules , or send accurate real-time environmental updates . We now have Aruba wall-to-wall to help us innovate at the edge . We ’ re really excited about the future .” •
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