Airline Application Benefits from ePortal Modernization
Airlines have some of the largest and most complex business systems in use today.
And in such a dynamic and changing industry, business agility, flexibility, and user productivity are vital.
One resource to help airlines achieve these goals is the Unisys Standard Airlines Software
(USAS) Check-In (CKI) application, a component of Unisys Passenger Service Solution. A mission-critical ClearPath OS 2200 application written in FORTRAN, the CKI application
performs many complex activities, such as managing passenger lists, seating, and
baggage, as well as interacting with other airports and carriers. But because many of these
processes are performed on a character-based “green screen” interface, the workflows are
complex and agent training takes a considerable amount of time.
However, for a system that is in use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, productivity and ease of use are imperative. After all, when check in stops, planes can’t leave the gate!
It is with these considerations in mind that we recently modernized the CKI application for one of our airline clients. Using ClearPath ePortal, we were able to give agents a true graphical user interface (GUI) in which to perform their day-today activities. By eliminating the old green screen look and feel, we’ve improved the application’s clarity, ease of navigation, and user assistance capabilities – while retaining the proven backend business logic.
BEFORE: The original "green screen" interface of the CKI application.
AFTER: The CKI application's user interface following ePortal modernization.
For example, whereas the older version could only display a set number of names – and required an additional transaction input to show more – the updated application allows users to scroll through a detailed list and instantly view all passengers on a specific flight. Flight details are now displayed at the top of the screen and include clear, straightforward headings. Likewise, entry fields are colored to indicate which are mandatory and which are optional. And, a workflow guide shows the agent which actions are valid given the situation.
This is only one example of the multitude of check-in functions that are now handled via the GUI. In addition, the modernized
application allows airlines to rapidly deploy and deliver such capabilities as self-service check in to mobile phones, tablets, and
other technologies.
And because ClearPath ePortal integrates natively into the ClearPath architecture, it requires no additional components to
function. Likewise, its ability to automate development and deployment processes eliminates the need for specialized skills
and expertise. This ease of use enabled the airline to cost-effectively modernize the CKI application and quickly make the updated version available to the agents responsible for processing passengers. To learn more about ePortal modernization in the airline industry, check out our new white paper, “Unisys and Transportation Application Modernization – ClearPath ePortal for OS 2200.”
Although this example shows how ePortal technology was employed in an airline passenger services environment, this specialty engine is certainly not industry-specific and can easily modernize any ClearPath application – bringing the benefits of a familiar, browser-like interface and greater ease of use to any ClearPath application or solution.