>Berkley IT>Integration and Implementation

Integration and implementation requires a detailed understanding of a client and their systems. The larger the client the trickier the task. Two examples emphasise this requirement.

• British Airways, with its global span, needed to revamp their global network. They were losing £400000 every day in lost revenue from sales but unclear as to the cause. After detailed analysis of the Business and IT systems running over their corporate global network, it was identified that these were totally out of date and overloaded.  The solution meant a complete overhaul of the networks in line with current  standards to support the business requirements. The solution also  necessitated understanding the infrastructures in nearly every country in the world and, as part of the solution, how the airports are interconnected. Competitive tendering for a carrier class solution (either on a regional or global basis) was also undertaken.

• The European Customs wished to consolidate their national systems to aid in the sharing of information. Interworking at the very least called for direct identification of every national system and then a cohesive solution identified, costed and then promoted to each national organisation. Only once all Customs agencies agreed could the solution be implemented. Naturally each nationality had different requirements and languages with some countries even having two conflicting systems, neither of which taking priority.