Gatwick's tech triumph

A six-month high-tech operation to introduce a cloud-based Flight Information Display System (FIDS) has been hailed a success at Gatwick, making it the world’s first major airport to take the step.

Officials describe it as an “innovative, cost-effective system”. They say benefits include the fact it is easily scalable, more flexible and resilient, and requires considerably less infrastructure and maintenance.

Traditional FID systems require software to be loaded on a separate PC behind the screen to run them, while Gatwick says its 1,200 cloud-based screens now connect via a web browser from any operating system.

This takes up only 3Mbps of bandwidth, making the new real-time system extremely fast and responsive to updates – which the airport points out is key in times of disruption.

The new system, called VisionAir, can also run natively on smart TVs, which its supporters say saves on infrastructure and maintenance costs, and demand on engineers’ time.

The project started in 2015 when Gatwick decided to develop cloud-based FIDS in line with the airport’s cloud migration strategy. The solution was developed by Airport Labs and the system went live with 1,200 screens by the middle of 2017 and has been providing uninterrupted service since.

www.gatwickairport.com

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