Unisys implements advanced operations systems and services for new Guangzhou Airport.

Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) has successfully developed and integrated the core operational systems for the new Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which opened to the public on August 5, 2004. As part of this project, Unisys developed the Central Integrated Information Management System (CIIMS), which integrates information flow from systems around the airport, collates and stores data in a central airport database, and supplies information to the airport community. This system will also facilitate coordinated future planning, control of daily operations, and centralized accounting and reporting functions.

Unisys led the system cut-over from the existing smaller domestic Guangzhou Airport to the new and larger international airport. The new Guangzhou Airport will serve the dynamic and rapidly growing business environment in Guangdong Province, based on its design capacity for 25 million passengers and one million tons of freight per year. This enables the airport to operate at the same high level as the new Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing Airports.

At the center of this system's environment is the Unisys Airport Operations Management Solution (AOM), a high-volume community database that sits at the heart of the airport's operational environment. The database constantly receives flight-related information from airlines, handling agents and air traffic control, and disseminates this real-time data to key staff in the airport community, government agencies and the general public. Unisys AOM also handles the airport's invoicing, and includes a sophisticated reporting capability to allow precise measurement of the airport's operational effectiveness. Unisys AOM was first developed at Manchester Airport (U.K.), and is also installed at London-Luton and Liverpool Airports.

Unisys also developed the middleware software solution to integrate all airport systems with CIIMS, including the flight information display system, baggage handling system, and departure control system. In addition, the air traffic control and China Southern Airlines flight operations systems were also integrated with CIIMS. Unisys provided the necessary systems integration services, business process reengineering and project management.

The multi-phase project implementation went smoothly because Unisys recommended a future model for the new airport that enabled a successful transition from a predominantly domestic airport environment to a large international hub airport that could compete effectively with other airports in the region. Unisys business process analysis helped Guangzhou Airport executives visualize the current and future operations of the airport, providing a clear view of the interrelations between the systems, processes and strategy.

Unisys integrated various internal and external systems in a standalone integration testing center. In the final phase of the project, Unisys conducted multiple cycles of a master integration test that incorporated the whole system to validate that all systems functioned properly.

Unisys coordinated with a spectrum of original equipment manufacturer suppliers and solution providers, including Steria from France, Skytech Solutions Pvt. Limited from India, and F S Walker Hughes Ltd. from UK, etc., for the development of the system. The strong collaboration and working relationship among key partners and suppliers was instrumental in the project's success.

"For this important project, Unisys orchestrated a joint effort of its various development centers and leveraged the expertise of those who had deployed similar systems for other airports such as Manchester Airport and Orly Airport in Paris," said Andrew Whittaker, vice president and general manager, Unisys Global Transportation in Asia Pacific. "As a result of our project management methodology and our synergy with the Guangzhou Airport project team, we are enabling the airport to operate as efficiently as possible and serve as a model for future airports."