The Capacity Max system will bring will bring enhanced, resilient and secure voice and data communications to 1,300 users both airside and groundside, benefiting ground staff, security personnel and maintenance teams across the airport and there are plans in place for further expansion.
The new Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) system will double the capacity of the existing analogue network and is fully scalable, supporting the airport’s future growth.
Gatwick’s airside and groundside teams will be able to take advantage of Capacity Max’s “powerful data performance” through the use of new applications.
These include TRBOnet PLUS, a dispatcher application that enables voice recording, mapping and event logging in the control room, and iBeacon indoor positioning, which allows alerts to be sent to individual radios based on location. With the new system, central controllers can dispatch the closest employee to an incident, saving staff valuable time.
Other built-in functions include settings for lone workers, geo-fencing to create restricted areas and automated escalation protocols, which will bring upgraded safety and security capabilities.
As the hardware is connected to Wi-Fi, software updates can be sent to equipment quickly and with less load on the radio network.
A Motorola Solutions spokesperson told Land Mobile that there will be a phased migration to the new digital system to ensure minimal disruption to the airport's 24 hour operations and that this requirement presents the biggest challenge to the company and Servicom. However, the two companies have been working on a number of solutions available that can aid with the migration of such a complex system. Full migration is planned to take place in the first quarter of 2017.
The digital system will use MOTOTRBO SLR5500 repeaters and the terminals will be supplied from Motorola Solutions' latest Enhanced Portfolio (a mix of the MOTOTRBO DP4801e, DP4601e, DP4401e, SL4000e). They offer integrated WiFi, integrated Bluetooth Low Energy as well as improved performance.
“We chose Motorola Solutions’ MOTOTRBO Capacity Max system not only for how resilient and secure it is, but because of the flexibility it offers us now and into the future,” said Simon Telling, IT project manager at Gatwick Airport Limited.
“We have experienced significant growth over the past decade and we are now approaching the limits of our previous analogue system. Migrating to scalable, digital communications will double our capacity and bring new capabilities that will help us improve efficiency and safety for staff, retail partners and passengers across the airport.”
“It has been a great pleasure to work with our partners at Servicom on this next generation solution for London Gatwick Airport,” said Vivienne Francis, EMEA vice president channel sales & operations at Motorola Solutions. “Through our strong partnership and focus on customer requirements, we are introducing best-in-class business technology that will support efficiency, security and safety at the airport now and for many years to come.
“Thanks to settings on the new devices which enable them to work on both the analogue network and the new Capacity Max system, the migration will take place through a phased roll-out with minimal disruption to working processes, another important advantage at a busy airport.”
