STARNET -- the Alliance`s First Information Technology Contract -- Will Enable Seamless Sharing of Passenger Information among Alliance Airlines
Unisys Corporation today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Star Alliance, comprising six of the world`s major airlines, to develop a pilot implementation for STARNET, an integrated communications network. With STARNET, the Alliance`s first information technology project, the Alliance can provide seamless travel, code sharing, and global recognition of passenger awards and privileges.
The Star Alliance, formed in May 1997, consists of United Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Varig, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), Air Canada, and Thai Airways International. The consortium provides an integrated worldwide route network that touches more than 600 cities in more than 100 countries.
"STARNET is a strategic step toward the Alliance`s goal of providing seamless passenger handling among all member airlines," said Bruce Parker, chief information officer and senior vice president of United Airlines and chairman of the Star Alliance Technology Steering Committee. "We selected Unisys to build the solution to meet immediate needs for sharing information to better serve all of our customers. We also believe we are building the architecture for the future."
Currently, each airline in the Alliance uses its own system to process information such as reservations, seat assignments, boarding passes, frequent flyer, and customer loyalty programs. "With STARNET, we are assured that each airline`s message traffic is correctly interpreted by the systems of each member airline," said Manfred Schiefke of Lufthansa German Airlines, who has been appointed STARNET Project Director.
For example, if a passenger checks in at a United counter and has connecting flights on Lufthansa and Thai, STARNET will provide a seamless flow of passenger information to and from each airline`s systems. STARNET will enable the United agent to print boarding passes with seat assignments for all legs of the passenger`s trip. The passenger`s frequent flyer status may also be communicated to each member airline via STARNET.
In its integrator role, Unisys will provide project management, application services, and product platforms, as well as coordinate the roles of its two primary partners BEA Systems, Inc. and Multicom Products Limited.
"An alliance is fully enabled when its members` host systems can seamlessly integrate with each other," said Robert Vernon, vice president of marketing for Unisys Worldwide Transportation. "STARNET will provide the integrated communication foundation for the Alliance to realize its vision of providing world-class products and services to all customers, regardless of which Alliance airline they travel. Unisys is most pleased to have been named the systems integrator for this strategic implementation."
Development of the STARNET pilot is scheduled for completion in early 1999, with an implementation into 35 worldwide locations expected to be completed by the year`s end.
About Unisys
Unisys is an information technology solutions provider that has a portfolio of information services, technologies and third-party alliances needed to help clients capitalize on their information asset to enhance their competitiveness and responsiveness to customers. Unisys expertise is founded on the strengths of three global businesses: Information Services, providing consulting, application solutions, systems integration and outsourcing; Computer Systems, providing industry-leading technologies; and Global Customer Services, delivering comprehensive services and products supporting distributed computing environments. Access the Unisys home page on the World Wide Web -- http://www.unisys.com -- for further information.
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