Airline Extends Livelink Via PDAs to Get Critical Information to Crews During Flights

Open Text(TM) Corporation, provider of Livelink�, a collaboration and content management program, says Britannia Airways has extended its Livelink deployment to provide PDA and laptop access during flight, giving pilots and cabin crew members real-time access to critical flight data on the aircraft.

The PDA's have been rolled out to Britannia cabin crew and are used to record and transact in-flight retail purchases and present flight documentation which is downloaded using wireless technology at the bases prior to the flight. The solution builds on Britannia Airway's original Livelink application-a flight briefing system, which provides pre-flight data, such as passenger manifests, staff schedules and security information.

"We have given our pilots and cabin crew the ability to take Livelink directly into the aircraft through portable electronic devices, providing around-the-clock access to Livelink content so that they can make the best use of their travel time," said John Gough Program Manager at Britannia Airways. "Britannia has always perceived Livelink as a robust, fast-to-deploy infrastructure and at its most effective when utilized to deliver structured content across the enterprise. This is especially important today as we enter an age of heightened airline security. When applying this kind of a holistic approach to a Livelink implementation, it is easy to see how its widespread adoption delivers demonstrable ROI through the consolidation of disparate applications and increased flexibility."

By replacing paper-based processes and forms with Livelink workflows, Britannia estimates that they are saving over $895,000 a year. Laptop computers have been rolled out to Britannia's pilots and, using Livelink, the airline has also been able to replace traditional paper-based manuals, and pilot notices, reducing briefing times to ensure 'on time' flight departures and providing an audit trail to ensure that pilots are fulfilling all aviation guidelines, regulations and policies.

"Britannia's Livelink deployment is an excellent example of true Enterprise Content Management (ECM)," said Mike Farrell, Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, Open Text. "What makes its solution unique are the strides the organization has taken to extend the solution enterprise-wide, be that on the ground or in the air, while taking into account the various requirements of a wide variety of constituents."

FMI: www.livelinkup-orlando.opentext.com/awards/winners-circle.html