Amadeus makes surprise move into airport common use – should the competition be worried?
Previously, we clarified the benefits, issues and challenges of cloud computing in the hotel industry.
In order to close our blog addressing a new subject, we now focus on the impacts of this new technology tool in the air transportation industry.
The selected article deals with one of the solutions brought by cloud computing in tourism; here namely regarding the going onsite of traditional common system at airport.
First, the author briefly describes the product introduced by Amadeus at the airport and stresses out the benefits for such infrastructure.
ACUS - Amadeus Aiport Common Use Service- is a next-generation solution; a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that maximizes boarding and check in areas, without costly and online servers. It allows airlines and ground handlers to share the physical space and IT resources of the airport, and which Amadeus says helps to eliminate the burdens of hosting and development. Plus, the centralisation of the system is a real advantage for all the airports.
Secondly, the author addresses one of the key feature of the system; the compliancy. Thus, the solution provided is also useful for and compatible with other airlines services for passengers, such as the CUPPS (Common Use Passenger Processing Systems) industry standard.
Thirdly, as a result, the article shows the extension of this new-generation system in other airports and showcases the potential of such solution in the airlines industry. The system has been tested over several other airport like in Germany and South Africa and has proved to be a great success, thanks to its rapidity and reliability, comparing to existing systems. As for the Head of Airport IT at Amadeus, the airports should be ready to embrace such solution, that tackles both commercial and operational issues and showing good performance creating a more flexible and shared environment.
As a conclusion, it is clear for the author that this platform brings efficiency, a smarter and better passenger experience for any airports, but could induce a shift in the competitive sector of this industry.
Cloud computing has proved to be a success for the hotel industry, but its efficiency and reliability is tested for the implementation in the airlines system. Hence the problematic: is this next-generation technology system a key solution for transportation industry in tourism?
Because airports have to deal with more and more challenges and issues, adopting innovative tool is not a trend anymore but a key to remain competitive. The product provided by Amadeus to airlines showcases the revolutionary solutions of cloud computing in the airlines. However, issues and challenges remain the same as for the hotel industry, regarding security and efficiency, which will convince airports to adopt such system or not.
Innovation in Airport Management system turned out to be a real need for infrastructures. Indeed, airport infrastructures have not only to tackle day-to-day operational and commercial issues, but also have to respond to higher expectations of passengers and manage more and more customers. The video in the article reflects the difficulty of managing passengers processing operations, which are complicated and expensive. Plus, airports also have to deal with overcapacity and its consequences.
Since the majority of the world’s airports currently run a traditional and expensive common use model, including a long-term supplier and on-site IT infrastructure, cloud computing system appears as a real revolution compared to the existing systems for several reasons.
First, it is a cloud-based solution that is centrally hosted in a single data centre. Airlines will thus be able to reduce costs thanks to centralised connectivity to airports and simplified passenger processing. Secondly, as a result, airports can run all of the network connections from one single platform. Plus, the adoption of cloud computing solution such as Amadeus ACUS will allow airports to eliminate costly on-site systems, lowering their operational expenses and minimising their environmental impact. Furthermore, they will improve their agility and flexibility to respond to unforeseen situations such as weather disruptions and traffic peaks.
Last but not least, such platform as the one provided by Amadeus creates Business Intelligence. Indeed, it stores knowledge about travelers, gathers information about the duration of their stay, how they move, and which product they consume.
Such next-generation system is a multi airport, multi airline solution, adaptable to any-sized business. It respects industry standards and goes beyond. It enhances agility and scalability, greater operational resilience, brings savings in cost, space and time. As a consequence of these streamlined operations, passengers will benefit from a quick and fluid airport experience.
Though, it seems to be clear that cloud computing solution brings many advantages for airport infrastructures. The question is if airports will trust the reliability and efficiency of such technology system and invest in its potential. Indeed, cloud computing solutions have to be carefully managed, in order to tackle security concerns, increased bandwidth costs, control and customisation, possible downtime and other technical issues or increased costs overtime for example.
To conclude, airports, as hotels did before, will first test cloud computing solutions before embracing it. Issues remain the same for both industries: really understand this revolutionary tool and train the staff to better manage operational and commercial issues as well as future challenges in order to be competitive and respond to customers needs.
Cloud computing can especially provide a better travel experience, as Airport in Madeira, Portugal pointed out; The cloud created not just money-saving advantages for the airport but also direct benefits for passengers as well.
Thales Portugal cites “increased efficiencies that will improve the passenger experience” as well as “significantly reducing the airport’s carbon footprint by optimizing energy consumption.”
References:
Video of Amadeus’ platform explainations:
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