SubscribeImpartial systems integration expertise is now playing a crucial role in providing the largest airport terminals with state-of-the-art, high volume baggage handling systems meeting today's logistics and security needs.
This definitive check-list compiled by Bill Todd of ALSTEC identifies the different elements of the integrator's role, as well as the benefits delivered.
When baggage handling facilities are being created or upgraded at major airports, the requirements extend far beyond the specification of appropriate equipment. Certainly, well informed equipment selection is important, but where systems handle hundreds of thousands of bags each day, there are other decision areas which are even more crucial to success.
At the largest airports, the daily throughput of bags and their complex pattern of movements within the terminal buildings necessitate extensive use of information technology, in the form of control systems which function with the equipment as an integrated whole. From this core requirement has arisen the relatively new role of the baggage systems integrator, working in a team culture which includes a partnership with the airport's own baggage delivery team.
Because this may still be unfamiliar ground for many airport managers, a check list is provided here, whose purposes are to: (a) identify the various elements of the integrator's role, (b) clarify what the airport needs to do for itself, (c) explain what it should best leave the integrator to do, and (d) highlight the benefits reaped from this relationship.
The list additionally serves as the basis of a requirements specification which airports managers can use to assess how well any supplier claiming to be an integrator measures up to the job. Few companies will clear this fence.
Here, first, are 37 key tasks carried out by a first-class integrator. (Many of the items could be the subject of lengthy further explanation, but that would be outside the scope of this article.)
(1) Concept planning and scheme proposal
- Understand, clarify and define the new scheme's operational objectives.
- Collect and analyse data on the airport's existing and projected baggage traffic, taking full account of all possible baggage sources.
- Devise solution options to meet the operational objectives together with budget costs and recommendations.
- Reach agreement with the client on the option that is to go forward.
- Configure the physical arrangement of the proposed baggage handling system together with all related works.
- Use computer modelling to test the general viability of the solution.
- Plan the control system architecture.
- Specify equipment which is best in terms of its fitness for purpose - choosing from the range of good quality products offered by suppliers.
- Prepare a user requirement specification in conjunction with the client, to include the key project deliverables.
- Prepare a comprehensive offer document with the finalized system layout and a whole-life costing.
(2) Contract design
- Prepare a functional design specification.
- Plan and design all the structural, mechanical, electrical and control systems.
- Validate the solution by undertaking detailed analytical engineering via solid modelling and computer simulation of the concept.
- Extend software application planning into all areas of the baggage system, including equipment and user interfaces.
- Incorporate all appropriate health, environmental, safety and security features.
(3) Project management
- Create and maintain a comprehensive programme that drives the project and is fully integrated with all site-related activities.
- Allocate sufficient resources to deliver the project, which includes arranging the team's structure and selecting its members in order to enable and promote a close working partnership with the customer's own personnel.
- Define responsibilities, with the emphasis on delivering service to the next link in the project chain.
- Appoint all the equipment and service sub-contractors, and ensure that they work to a common plan.
- Maintain open communications across the various disciplines, in terms of seeking as well as informing.
- Cultivate cooperation and mutual respect.
- Involve airport personnel at the design, testing and implementation stages.
- Foster an open, direct and supportive attitude to problem solving, taking account of complications beyond the neighbourhood of the problem.
- Ensure that where initiative is applied to exceed specified performance levels, it is done with the airport team's agreement, without creating any imbalance in the system elsewhere.
- Classify risks in terms of their magnitude, potential victims and probability, and draw up contingency plans to mitigate them.
- Monitor the fulfilment of responsibilities and the implementation of action plans to minimize risks.
- Continually monitor adherence to the contract.
- Meet health and safety requirements, and other legal obligations.
- Maintain security without hindering passenger movement.
- Maintain business excellence as a priority for all personnel in all areas of responsibility.
- Train airport personnel to undertake allocated tasks.
(4) Through-life support
- Where it is required, provide through-life support via operation and maintenance, with maintenance serving the needs of operation.
- Station required numbers of suitably skilled systems integrator personnel permanently at the airport.
- Implement records and procedures so that maintenance is primarily preventive.
* Resolve any problems which occur. - Maintain operation throughout any subsequent extensions and up-grades.
- Implement procedures to seek continuous improvement.
Now we come to the question of the benefits which are obtained. These fall into two groups.
(a) How does a major airport benefit from using the services of a first class integrator?
- The integrator works with the airport as a partner, not just a supplier.
- The integrator's core role is well matched to the needs of those major terminals which handle the highest volumes of bags.
- The airport is provided not with an assembly of equipment, but with an integrated system interfaced with software in support of defined objectives.
- The integrator is independent of obligations to purchase from any one supplier, and thus can keep the airport as the sole priority.
- This independence allows greater flexibility throughout all of the project stages.
- When the integrator is also a baggage systems operator, continuous involvement in the latter role provides a wealth of insider knowledge and practical experience directly applicable to the former.
- When operation and maintenance services are subsequently provided by dedicated personnel based permanently on-site, the partnership between the airport and the integrator extends over years, enabling airport and integrator personnel to work as a single team.
(b) What likely disadvantages does the airport avoid by using the services of an integrator?
- A supplier which is not an integrator may have insufficient resources and experience to provide all the equipment, software and expertise needed.
- In addition, it may not have the right culture or approach for the level of teamwork and partnership required for these large contracts.
- A manufacturing supplier may be biased towards using its own products, yet may be unable to provide everything needed without incorporating other companies' equipment - which must then be integrated, anyway.
- A supplier may have insufficient expertise to operate and maintain the system.
- The airport's own personnel may have insufficient experience to do what is outlined above, in the event of trying to act in place of the integrator.
Conclusion
The common denominators running through the activities outlined above are a team culture, partnerships with customers, high levels of technological expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and an ability to plan and implement high volume baggage systems on the grand scale.
It is on this scale that the greatest benefits are delivered, by the integration of very many diverse physical and control elements into a single system. Nowhere, however, are the skills of the effective integrator better demonstrated than in carrying out upgrades in major terminals which are fully operational, without causing disturbance to passengers.
For further information, contact ALSTEC Ltd., Cambridge Road, Whetstone, Leicester LE8 6LH, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 116 201 5057. Fax: +44 (0) 116 284 3851. Web site: www.alstec.com Email: airport.sales@alstec.com
