Emirates Computers deploys Airport Pass Management System (APMS) for Dubai Department of Civil Aviation

Prior to the installation of such a system, the Dubai Airport Pass Office was processing the passes manually.

According to Emirates Computers, a variety of Microsoft technologies such as Visual Studio.

Net 2003, SQL Server 2000/2005, Microsoft Windows Server, IIS, and Windows Services, among others, were used in the APMS solution.

The Dubai Airport Pass Office is a part of the Dubai Airports Company.

"In Dubai, change is the only constant. The Company has kept pace with the rapid growth the city has witnessed over the years, both in terms of capacity expansion and best of the breed technology for its cargo and civil aviation infrastructure," said Mr. Naser Kajoor, Sr. General Manager Service Providing Management at Dubai Airports Company. "The Company is presently executing several pioneering projects, such as the deployment of APMS, which in the coming years will establish Dubai as the world's civil aviation and logistics centre."

"Prior to the deployment of such a system, the Dubai Airport Pass Office used to process the passes manually. However, as the number of requests for passes grew, the authorities felt the need for a computerized system that could control their work, and increase productivity and availability," explained Mr. Haytham Kamel, Vice President and General Manager Emirates Computers, Dubai and Northern Emirates.

"They also needed companies to be able to request for passes and submit required documents online (through the internet interface of the application), and to be able to send users, information about their passes (pass approved, pass rejected, need more information) through use of e-mails and SMS."

Hence, Emirates Computers developed a solution called APMS - a web application that is simple and user friendly.

"Users really do not have to go through an installation process of extra components, to perform specific tasks. All they need to have is a computer with Windows operating system on it and Internet Explorer. They also need to have internet access to be able to access the application online. The APMS was devised to save time and make the entire job of processing pass requests faster and easier. It also reduces the number of people visiting pass office every day," added Mr Kamel.

The APMS solution was introduced to provide the Dubai Airport Pass Office with an easy to use web application where they could register companies, create new passes, renew or modify passes, accept online payments and blacklist companies.

It was also built with an internal workflow engine that allowed other divisions such as the Airport Security and Police Office with the authority to approve or reject passes online, without the need to pass documents physically between divisions. After acquiring all required approvals, pass applications are brought back to pass office to complete the cycle and print passes, making them ready for collection by the concerned persons.

The system handles the creation, modification and renewal of all types of passes.

There are a total of 39 types of passes provided by the Dubai Airport Pass Office, which includes airport employee passes, temporary visit passes, equipment passes, camera passes and car passes.

Each company is given the privilege to request for a group of pass types based on their needs.

"There is indeed a huge difference between the old system and the new automated system deployed by Emirates Computers. The system has definitely improved the way we work, by showing the difference in quality for the services we provide today," commented Mr. Kajoor.

"Companies can now request for passes, follow up on pass status, pay for their approved passes all through the internet interface without the need for them to visit the pass office at the Dubai Airport. All transactions and approvals workflow is done online, with the documents getting passed electronically. Companies always have a list of all passes available and hence, they can check its validity, renew passes, and request to modify the information on a pass. Companies also get notified by e-mail and SMS for approved passes. Also, seven days prior to the expiration date of the passes, the companies are notified, thus giving them a sufficient period of time to renew passes if they require," he concluded.