HAMBURG, Germany, February 27, 2003 - Today, Cisco is today launching the Cisco Airport Communication Architecture at Passenger Terminal Expo, Hamburg (stand 12-A10) which enables airport operations managers to enhance the security and safety of the public, reduce operational costs, increase profitability and untap new sources of revenue using an open standards based network.
Cisco sees airports like a small city; relying on an infrastructure to manage the engineering, financial, legal, commercial and operational functions to keep an airport running. However creating a common network infrastructure to deliver enhanced manageability is made harder with the wide variety of proprietary communications protocols and applications currently in use in the airport environment and their lack of interoperability.
The Cisco Airport Communication Architecture offers airports a simple unified infrastructure for voice, data, and video based on the open standards of Internet Protocol (IP). An IP-based infrastructure is the perfect foundation for the airport network as it allows progressive scaling of reach and functionality.
"Cisco has created an architecture that directly addresses the operational challenges on landside and airside." said Chris Huggett, Director, Travel and Transport solutions, Cisco EMEA. "Airport security is at the front of everyone's mind and while security systems share the goal of protecting staff and the flying public, most operate independently. A quick coordinated security network that allows information sharing between the airlines, airport and security personnel, and law enforcement authorities could help cut down terminal closures and flight delays."
Cisco's Airport Communication Architecture combines hardware, network management services, core operational processes, mobility and access layers supporting a wide variety of applications designed by Cisco's Ecosystem partners. These include security surveillance, baggage management, mobile check-in and gate facilities, public Internet access, voice and data access, retail concessions, e-learning and training and airport operational and support services.
