Information Technology

July 8, 2000

Information Technology

Wayport Adds New Service Features

Jordanna Smida, Assistant Editor

July 2000

Wayport has added a few new features to its current Wayport Portable Internet Access system, which allows users to access the Internet on their laptops from virtually anywhere in the airport. One of those is the Known Geographic Location, a technology that recognizes where users are located automatically.

When passengers enter a Wayport airport, they can potentially receive information from the airport in regards to their location as well as information and directions to concessions and gates. Janice Schroer, senior director of marketing at Wayport, states that the Known Geographic Location feature gives concession operators the opportunity to advertise or offer users coupons for their goods/services. The company also plans to have flight information available.

Wayport has also added Ethernet card kiosks throughout their locations. This way a new user can purchase a card from the various vendors including Aeronet, Lucent, and Nokia. Cards will range in price from $150 to $250 depending on the brand, Schroer says. For information, contact Janice Schroer at 214-823-2668.

Online Findings
Tennant Company has created a new website at www.Recon.Tennant Co.com for reconditioned Tennant equipment. The site features fully reconditioned machines for a variety of indoor and outdoor surface maintenance applications. All machines are updated to current factory specifications and carry a parts and labor warranty. Photos of the units are displayed as well information on price, accessories, options, number of hours, and performance. Trade-ins are also considered. For information call (888) 727-8237.

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J.A. Air Center, West Chicago, IL, introduces its online store, which features new and reconditioned handheld and panel mount GPS equipment, headsets, transceivers, audio panels, transponders, and other avionics. Visit www.jaair.com for information.

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AAAE has redesigned and enhanced its website with greater search capabilities. The upgraded content offers online access to the AAAE Membership Directory and corporate yellow pages. The upgraded search engine allows for more convenient access to specific association document categories. Visit www.airportnet.org for information.

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Phillip Morris U.S.A. introduces its website to provide airport operators and food and beverage concessionaires with information on handling the issue of public place smoking. The site is designed to serve as an information resource for airport and airport services management on topics including ventilation and smoking policies. Visitors can also receive a free consultation with a ventilation engineer. The site also features a referral service as well as educational materials and information on business and research grants. Visit www.pmOptions.com for information.

FBO/Services Directory Available on CD-ROM
Aviation Data Systems has developed a new CD-ROM, Avmaps. The program includes an FBO directory that includes pictures of the facility and the services they provide. (listing price for FBOs is $249). The program also includes catering, restaurant, hotel, golf course, and ground transportation databases for each location.

Avmaps is free to NBAA members and updates are mailed every six months. For information contact Scott Branan at 972-458-0939 or visit www.thebizjet.net.

Reduce Bandwidth, Increase Access Speed
MangoSoft, a software development company, offers its Cachelink, a software product, which speeds access to commonly viewed web pages through a local area network. CacheLink takes advantage of all the computers' Cache folders, by recording what sites have been visited. "We find that a lot of businesses go to the same site with the same frequency. Once a site has been downloaded once, everybody within that same office can download it with no delays," says Jim Yearick, product marketing manager at MangoSoft.

The program helps reduce bandwidth used to access sites by keeping site information inside a company's local area network. "If you're not going outside the building you're saving," he says.

The average one-time cost for installation is $20-25 per computer. A 15-day trial is available at www.mango.com. For information, call Jim Yearick at 508-871-7376.