Product category:
Monitors
News Release from: GDS - Global Display Solutions | Subject: Fiumicino Airport
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2002
A view of displays in an Italian airport
What does a passenger terminal look for from its information display?
In 1999 Rome's Fiumicino Airport decided it needed to rectify the problems it was experiencing with its passenger information display system In particular, the internal computers were not performing well, the display was going out of focus, and monitors were not lasting long enough
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 31 Oct 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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GDS, together with Italian system integrators, Arc Data, won the contract following a public tender.
So what made Fiumicino choose GDS to supply its PIDS? There were a number of factors that were important to the airport.
First, the cost needed to be very competitive without compromising quality.
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With over 25 years' experience in the displays industry and high manufacturing volumes through its sites in Asia and Europe, GDS is able to offer low-cost, high-performance products.
Secondly, clear, easy to read and reliable screens were required.
GDS invests heavily in R and D and recognises the importance of the optics enabling it to produce the high quality (and award winning) products it has become renowned for.
Thirdly, the high quality of GDS products ensures the cost of ownership (TCO) is very low.
The structure of the organisation (global company with local support) enables it to offer unique after-sales support breakdowns are rectified within 24 hours, wherever they are in the world.
The defective monitor is replaced by another, sent to be repaired and refurbished, then placed back in the GDS global 'bank' for re-use.
In addition Fiumicino wanted some specific monitor features.
The internal computers had to be totally compatible with the airport's main server.
There had to be compatibility with the new components of old monitors.
Through its long history, GDS recognises that not all monitors need to be replaced and so all its products and components are backwards compatible, enabling (where appropriate) old equipment to be upgraded.
The colour specified by the architect was an unusual one.
However, due to the purchasing leverage of GDS, it was quickly able to source the colour (an unusual coffee/cream colour pantone number RAL 7038).
Finally, mounting brackets were designed and cut to take account of the unusual height of the internal ceiling, ensuring passengers have maximum visibility of the displays.
This brief overview shows that achieving consistently high performance and reliability will need a different approach for each passenger terminal, dependent on the building itself, budget, current systems in place, style requirements etc.
In all cases, displays must be designed to fit the application and needs of the terminal customer.
GDS adopts this approach with every customer, developing systems that will see the terminal a long way into the future.
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