A:  style="text-align: justify;">When I joined MIAL, the IT department as a function did not exist at the airport. The first task before me was to create a fiber network across the terminals of the airport. The main challenge was to build an infrastructure which would not only ensure a world-class network but also put in a common user network which could be used by airlines for their operations.

The first project that we did was to set up an airport management system using which we computerised our airport operations.

We also wanted to bank on the fact that we did not have any legacy system. We chose Nortel as our service provider for the deployment of a Unified Communications (UC)-enabled network.

The infrastructure that we chose has Metro Ethernet Network portfolio’s Optical Metro 10 gigabit Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) fiber-optic backbone, a multi-service platform and Metro Ethernet Routing Switch platform with Provider Backbone Bridges (PBB) and Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) solutions. The backbone allows 10 gigabit Ethernet and storage connectivity. The platform provides point-to-point Ethernet transport services for the airlines. The airport fiber backbone has enough bandwidth for supporting data for the next 20 years.

With UC we now have 99.999 percent network availability for applications such as a single backbone for voice, video, Closed-CTV, data and radio.

In addition, we also deployed SAP ERP to enable our back office systems.

A:  style="text-align: justify;">The property costs in Mumbai are huge. One of the primary challenges was to utilise space within the airport in an efficient manner. One of our initiatives to address this issue was to create Common Use Terminal Equipments (CUTE).

The deployment of UC now allows any airline to use any counter at any time. So if counter 1 to counter 5 is being used by British Airways on one day, the same counters can be used by Lufthansa on the next day. The airline staff need to login into the network with their user IDs and access information on various devices. Earlier, every airline needed fixed counters, leading to underutilisation of space.

With the CUTE system, airlines can expand the number of counters on the fly to meet sudden flow in passenger traffic.

Our network supports Common Use Self Service (CUSS) kiosks for passengers who would like to check-in themselves. These solutions resulted in better utilisation of space and passengers and airlines have benefited as it provides them flexibility.

The network has helped to create revenue out of IT services. We are now able to sell IT services to airliners; retailers etc. and collect a monthly rental out of the services offered. Say for example, an airline wants to set up an office within the airport and needs data ports. We provide the airline with the required data ports and charge a monthly rental for their usage.

We also have an agreement with SITA, a Geneva-based air transport IT provider, for passenger processing. As per the agreement SITA maintains operations, invests capital and in return it shares the revenue with us. We call this as a concession model.

A:  style="text-align: justify;">Going forward, the goal is to extend our network infrastructure for new applications like building management systems, public addressable systems, revamping our CCTV systems for security, network our X-ray systems and stuff like these so that we provide more services to the customers.

We are also planning to get into the second phase of SAP implementation and deploy modules like Project Systems and Plant Maintenance.

Today the common use systems like CUTE and CUSS are used only at the international airport. We want to extend this to the domestic airport as well. We are also planning to take CUSS to nearby hotels that would help passengers to check-in from their hotels.

We will also deploy building management systems, public addressable systems, revamp our CCTV systems for security and have a central network of our X-ray systems so that we provide better services to the customers.

Over the next five years we are looking to spend around Rs.250 to 300 crores on IT.

A:  style="text-align: justify;">In every airport, the physical security is far more critical than data security. We have taken a project to revamp the entire CCTV systems of the airport. For this, around 1000 IP cameras would be deployed that would store video recordings each recording world be maintained for a month.

We have planned to integrate all our X-ray machines so that there is a single monitoring of the entire network.

In addition, we would also deploy a full-fledged access network in the new terminal. With this in place, anyone who is not passenger would need an access card to visit different places within the airport. This card would have different levels of security depending on the criticality of the airport location. So in some places only an access card would be sufficient while in others you would require access card and biometric authentication. All these things would be run on the IP network.

A:  style="text-align: justify;">Change management is one of the biggest challenges that we face. People have been working in a specified manner for all these years. Now with different applications like building management systems and new security systems, there would be a resistance in adopting new processes.

The second challenge is to synchronise the IT implementation with the architectural developments of the new terminal.