Las Vegas airport speeds real-time data to flight information displays

With more than 46 million travelers passing through its terminals every year, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas relies heavily on its flight information displays to provide passengers with accurate arrival and departure information.

However, with a flight information display system comprised of more than 750 monitors throughout the airport, McCarran looked for a solution that would provide staff with direct and consistent control over the complete system.

With the previous system, airport staff used individual computers to control each flight information monitor. Not only was it nearly impossible to maintain environmental controls for each component, but upgrades and repairs required a visit to each individual station.

“Maintenance on the previous system was time consuming and dangerous,” said David Bourgon, manager of McCarran’s Airport IT (Information Technology) Services.  “Every time there was a problem, we had to go up on a lift and physically repair it.”

System centralizes flight information displays

Under the guidance of CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), based in Vernon Hills, Ill., McCarran installed a ClearCube blade computing system to support the maintenance of flight information displays throughout the airport’s terminals.

The ClearCube solution centralizes the airport’s flight information display system to ensure the continuity of information and reduce maintenance time. By installing ClearCube, information can be updated and displayed on individual monitors throughout the facility with just a few mouse clicks and keystrokes on a single workstation.

Prior to the ClearCube blade approach, a problem with a single monitor could prevent flight information from displaying in a section of the airport. Now, should a blade require attention, IT staff can simply remove the malfunctioning blade from the control closet, with the remaining blades absorbing the capacity to ensure that the complete system remains operational.

“CDW-G worked with us to design a solution that not only met our computing needs, but also improves passenger service,” Bourgon said.

Through a partnership with leading IT companies, CDW-G can provide a wealth of products and technology solutions to federal, state and local government agencies, as well as to educational institutions at all levels. Customers can choose from more than 100,000 products, including top IT brands from more than 1,000 manufacturers, along with companion services.

For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, services and solutions, visit http://www.cdwg.com.