INFORM will be offering customers of its GS RealTime and GS RealTime based solutions such as GS HubControl, GS GroundFleet, GS Connect and GS BIS the option of using either Oracle or PostgreSQL as their relational database management system (RDBMS).
While Oracle is the #1 database on the market, widely-used by large organizations, PostgreSQL is quickly gaining ground. Since no license fees will apply when using the latter, INFORM wanted to give its customers the choice of using PostgreSQL as an open-source alternative to Oracle. GS RealTime offers airports and airlines tools to manage ground handling staff and ground service equipment seamlessly on the day of operation, supporting effective management by exception, heightened operational awareness, mobile communications, reduced impact from disruptions and delays, and improved problem resolution.
No license fees when using PostgerSQL
According to Tobias Campmann, Product Manager for Platform & Integration, Aviation, INFORM, “At INFORM, our top priority is providing responsive optimization software to our customers. As no license fees apply with PostgreSQL, we saw a good reason to offer it alongside Oracle as a more cost-effective database option. Furthermore, PostgreSQL is easy-to-use and offers all functionality we need for GroundStar as it is on the same level as Oracle performance-wise. By offering both Oracle and PostgreSQL, INFORM is giving its customers a choice which can be made on many factors including their IT employees’ database skills.”
PostgreSQL gaining ground
PostgreSQL has garnered various industry recognition awards. DB-Engines named it the DBMS of the year in 2017 and 2018. PostgreSQL also was ranked the 4th most popular database in the 2019 PostgreSQL Trends Report, which noted that 11.55% of PostgreSQL users were in the process of migrating to the RDBMS. With leading organizations like Apple, Cisco, NASA, Tesla and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) all now using PostgreSQL, it is likely that its growth will be seen with leading airports and airlines, as well.
Cologne Bonn Airport serving as first GS RealTime/PostgreSQL pilot customer
At the moment, Cologne Bonn Airport is serving as INFORM’s first GS RealTime/PostgreSQL pilot customer. The German airport, which had already been using GS RealTime and is currently upgrading to its latest version, kicked-off the solution upgrade project on 1 September 2020. The latest version of GS RealTime is currently in use by an estimated 1,300 staff at this airport for all ground handling services except check-in. Also deployed by the airport was GS Mobility on handheld mobile devices and fixed equipment in passenger buses. INFORM will provide all support to the airport on its migration from Oracle to PostgreSQL. The project is being implemented in phases which include: the transfer of data, training of staff on the new database during which both a test database and one real-time database will be operational (with back-up databases in place for both), and then the cutover. GS RealTime supports data export and import options between database systems seamlessly.
According to Cologne Bonn Airport’s Chief Information Officer David Preuβ, they are “very pleased with how our PostgreSQL project has been going and look forward to deriving the anticipated benefits from this database. For us it is key to be an early adopter, especially when it comes to utilizing the open source eco system. Having tied a strategic partnership with INFORM, we see that we are on the right track for digitalization.”
If you are interested in INFORM’s leading resource management system GroundStar to optimize the overall planning and control processes in aircraft handling, fill out the enquiry form on this page.