Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has completed a $15m contract to upgrade the IT network at the UK’s Gatwick Airport to meet future needs.
Provided by HPE and Aruba Networks, the new network will allow the airport to take advantage of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT) and machine learning.
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HPE UK and Ireland managing director Marc Waters said: “We’re delighted with how smoothly the project has run – the world’s most efficient single runway now has an equally powerful and productive IT network to match it.”
The new simplified and fully meshed design offers ten times the number of links for data to cross the campus, making it resilient to disruption.
With the increase in Gatwick’s data capability, passengers and on-site businesses can benefit from the latest technologies.
The airport’s IoT-enabled sensors will help to measure numerous parameters, including waste bin levels, occupancy of check-in desks, table availability or pond water levels.
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By GlobalDataFollowing the upgrade, the stable network services for airlines, ground handlers and retailers will enable to enhance the flexibility and stability of their business operations, as well as generate IT-related revenue for the airport.
It will also allow detection of passenger flow based on smartphone locations and heat maps that identify queueing and performance improvement opportunities.
Machine learning and facial recognition systems will also be used to boost the security and create the passenger journey mapping, allowing gate staff to track late passengers and send them notifications through apps.
Gatwick Airport chief information officer Cathal Corcoran said: “The network’s capability has been uplifted by such a scale that it now matches that of an internet service provider and allows the airport to provide the latest technologies across a campus that serves over 250 on-site businesses, 30,000 staff and 45 million annual passengers.”
