SubscribeServiceTec supports interactive kiosks at Manchester Airport
It might be a virtual assistant called MAISY that directs the public - an avatar which shares its name with Manchester Airport Information Systems the first interactive passenger information system linking air, rail and bus journeys - but it is a team of engineers from ServiceTec that keeps the information flowing.
Biometric Screening System
ServiceTec's specialist airport services division is used to supporting the latest equipment, it has implemented the first biometric screening system at Schiphol airport, and the team are now fully up to speed with the proprietary MAISY system.
Janice Griffiths, Head of Group Business Solutions has been responsible for implementing and managing the MAISY project, which was officially launched a few weeks ago.
'The new transport information system makes it easier for passengers and airport staff to use public transport. About 20m passengers pass through the airport each year and this is expected to double by 2015, MAISY, which is partly funded by the EU, aims to get 40 percent of these travellers to leave their cars at home.'
Manchester Airport Touch Screen Multimedia Kiosks
The 28 touch screen multimedia kiosks are located throughout the airport and at major stations, allowing passengers to search real-time information and print out directions for flights, passenger services and retail outlets. A virtual assistant also named Maisy and dressed in the same blue uniform as her ground crew 'colleagues' greets passengers and helps them find their way.
Fujitsu Services designed and built the hardware and software for MAISY in conjunction with Manchester Airport's product team, in a multi-million pound contract. The system is maintained by ServiceTec.
The project has been a learning experience for all, as Janice Griffiths explains:
'The implementation has gone well, and this is a result of close teamwork between our in house service desk and the ServiceTec engineers. With a new system it is difficult at first to differentiate between teething issues and underlying problems that need to be referred to the manufacturer. ServiceTec engineers are now very knowledgeable and able to either rapidly fix the problems or escalate them on our behalf.'
Flight Information Systems
MAISY is integrated with Manchester Airport's real-time flight information systems and their journey planners system (JPS), which contains national rail, coach and bus schedules. ServiceTec maintains flight information systems for airports throughout the world and it also supports kiosks that enable fast check-in; so the interactive kiosks were a natural progression.
'ServiceTec has a strong track record and offers a quality service cost-effectively.' Comments Janice Griffiths, 'Our confidence in their capability to support MAISY has proved to be well founded.' It is early days for MAISY but Janice believes that it could be a major step forward.
'We are talking to application developers to see how use of the kiosks can be extended. We are seeing customer acceptance and anticipate that this will grow when the technology becomes more widely available.'
