European AIS Database (EAD) Support - Implementation
Key words and phrases: European AIS database support, EAD, implementation, client systems, systems analysis, design, implementation, data modelling, hardware planning, procurement
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ESI
The EAD System Interface (ESI) provides a means of connecting client systems to the EAD. It may be used in several different manners and making the right choice for your system is essential.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions have worked with EUROCONTROL to specify the functionality provided by the ESI. Selecting the right manner in which your system is connected to EAD is essential, the wrong choice could lead to a slow connection and increased costs.
Our experts are available to work with your team to assist in the specification of an ESI connection, working through the different options to ensure a suitable solution is proposed.
Systems Analysis
Your organisation has decided to integrate its existing system with the EAD, but how is this to be done? What are the benefits of the various possible solutions and, possibly more important, what are the disadvantages? Through system analysis various solutions may be examined and the best will be recommended.
Before any system implementation may be carried out, it is essential that there is a clear understanding of what is to be implemented and what it will offer.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions can provide staff experienced in systems analysis. We will examine your current system, the way in which it is currently used and the reasoning behind the need to use EAD. From this a number of different implementations will normally be possible. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these will be looked at before a recommendation is made, clearly stating why the chosen method has been selected.
Following on from this, it is recommended that a full user and system requirements definition be performed. This will provide a clear and unambiguous statement of how the system is to be interfaced, documents that can form both the basis of any call for tender for performing the implementation and for the implementation itself.
Design
You know what you want but how can this be best provided? A design is needed which meets both your requirements and the methodologies employed by the EAD and ESI.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions is able to provide a design service for your organisation. By taking requirements, operational, commercial and financial, we can provide a design which best meets these needs.
Operational: What functionality does your system need to meet? A requirements phase will define this but the design proposed must meet these requirements adequately. Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions employees have a wealth of systems design experience, ranging from small tools through to large Air Traffic Management systems.
Commercial: Your organisation will have plans for the future, your system design should ensure that money invested today is not wasted in the future. Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions staff understand that business does not remain static - by discussing with you your future plans we can ensure that the design proposed will meet your needs both now and in the future.
Financial: No organisation can spend an infinite amount on system procurement, the budget available should be invested wisely and may impact on the design and implementation schedule. Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions can work with you to assess various design options, helping to cost each and hence establish what may be provided within the financial constraints of your project.
Implementation
Most ESI implementation will require the use of software engineers with knowledge of several skills, namely: the native language(s) of your existing system(s), XML, ESI, databases and Java.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions is able to provide software engineers conversant with databases, Java, XML and the ESI. We also have engineers who have knowledge of most mainstream programming languages including C, C++, Delphi and Ada.
These engineers are available to work either at your premises or to operate remotely providing fully coded and tested modules to be integrated at your site.
Data Modelling
The main purpose of the EAD is to provide data to users and, if your system is connected via the ESI, many of these clients will wish to hold some of the data locally such that it may be used by their existing systems. How should this data be held to ensure it is used most effectively?
Within your organisation many users of data may exist, each with their own bespoke databases, this may present the best way forward, however, through introducing a central repository of data you can be guaranteed that the same data is being used within all applications - increasing Data Integrity and therefore helping to improve safety.
The design of a database is critical. If thought is not given how the data will be used, who will access it, how often it will be accessed etc. your database may become a bottleneck within your system.
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions has engineers experienced in database modelling, some work with EUROCONTROL to define the AICM and AIXM.
Our staff are available to assess your needs and provide database models which will suit your anticipated use.
Furthermore, if your current database provides for most of your requirements but does not always perform as well as needed in may be in need of tuning. This process involves assessing the accesses that are made, looking at the current schema and modifying it where necessary to enhance performance.
Hardware Planning / Procurement
The choice of hardware on which to run your system may be affected by several factors. Considering the various options is essential to ensure that the right choice is made.
When deciding on the specification of hardware many different options may be considered. Who will maintain the system, should it make use of hardware already in existence, should it be similar to any equipment already installed and who will maintain it?
Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions has a vast experience of hardware planning and procurement, this knowledge helping to ensure that what ever decision is made will be the right one. The hardware selected should be suitable not only for today's need but also for the future, thus ensuring that your investment is wisely spent.
Further information is available from:
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Tel: +44 (0)1252 732555
