'Thin Client' System Replaces Desktop PCs At Gate Positions

The first Common-Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) in Canada has been implemented at St. John’s International Airport (SJIAA) in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada by Ultra Electronics, Airport Systems, the company announced Monday.

The system, UltraCUSE Enterprise, uses the latest VMware technology and thin client devices at the desks to replace conventional PCs and is the first of its kind in Canada, serving 46 check-in and gate positions at the airport. Ultra’s technology is integrated with SJIAA’s existing virtualized server environment to enable the flexible provisioning of gates and check-in positions so they can be shared among the airlines.

The deployment of a fully virtualized client/server solution will provide a variety of efficiencies and advantages including lower energy costs, improved maintenance and less dependency on traditional PC’s. Ultra are the only systems integrator in the world with fully deployed and fully functioning VMWare driven common-use sites, located at Orange County (CA), Denver, Seattle, Raleigh-Durham, and Helsinki. A number of other airports have been scheduled for virtualized deployments in 2012.

“Ultra’s virtualization technology and use of thin clients is a good match for our environment,” stated Frank Wyse, SJIAA’s Director of Information & Communications Technology. “We look forward to a long and beneficial relationship that will enhance the travel experience of millions of air passengers in Canada, and beyond.”

St. John’s International Airport is experiencing rapid growth as passenger traffic has doubled since the airport was privatized in 1998; a rate that is double the national average in Canada.

“We have provided a CUPPS solution that is specifically tailored to the SJIAA environment,” said Dale Kirby, Vice President and General Manager of Ultra Electronics, Airport Systems Americas. “Our approach to this project is in complete alignment with other technology initiatives at St. John’s, such as a virtualized server infrastructure, deployment of thin-clients and integration with a new VoIP telephone system to provide a unified communications platform. We are most grateful for their support of this project and based on our experiences around the world, St. John’s will be in a position to compete and provision world class services to its customers for many years to come.”

FMI: www.ultra-as.com