“By using SQL Server 2012, we can look at dynamic and near-real-time reporting alongside weekly and monthly static reports. Our goal is to improve business agility and optimize our offerings with faster access to analytics. Cameron Brill, Business Technology Manager, Auckland Airport Auckland Airport wanted better business intelligence (BI) tools to optimize operations, so it replaced existing Oracle and Cognos products with a BI solution that includes Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010. As a result, the airport has improved business agility and profitability with near-real-time access to analytics information. In addition, it has simplified and strengthened regulatory compliance and significantly reduced reporting time. Business Needs More than 70 percent of New Zealand’s visitors use the Auckland Airport. Served by 20 international airlines, it is a major transport hub and the second-busiest regional airport after the one in Sydney, Australia. Millions of passengers pass through the airport each year, taking advantage of services such as parking and duty-free shopping. To manage its business operations more efficiently, the airport wanted better BI tools. Using IBM Cognos software and an Oracle data warehouse, a central department generated reports and published them each month in PDF files. The system had worked well in the past, but managers wanted more flexibility and faster access to information. “Monthly reports were fine at one time, but the world has moved on,” says Cameron Brill, Business Technology Manager at Auckland Airport. “Nowadays, our business units—particularly car parking, retail, and property divisions— need daily, interactive reporting to optimize operations.” However, finding better BI tools was only part of the challenge. In addition to its commercial business units, the airport also manages heavily regulated aeronautical systems and operations such as baggage handling and engineering. A new solution would need to integrate all of those data sources as well as sensitive information from external systems. Auckland Airport sought a BI solution that would not only improve business agility, but also ensure that data would be accurate, consistent, and traceable across multiple applications. “Data lineage was a priority,” says Peter Scott, Applications Manager at Auckland Airport. “We get a lot of information from various government organizations such as customs and immigration, and it’s important that we respect the privacy of passengers and the trust of those agencies.” Solution Auckland Airport began evaluating Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Enterprise software in 2011. It was initially drawn to SQL Server2012 Reporting Services, which employees found easier to use than Cognos tools. Next, the airport asked Datacom, a leading regional provider of IT services, to implement a proof of concept. A Microsoft partner with multiple gold competencies, Datacom had worked with Auckland Airport on earlier projects and Customer: Auckland Airport Website: www.aucklandairport.co.nz Customer Size: 320 corporate staff; 12,000 airport staff Country or Region: New Zealand Industry: Transportation and logistics— Air transportation services Partner: Datacom Partner Website: www.datacom.co.nz Customer Profile New Zealand’s Auckland Airport is a major regional transport hub that serves 20 international airlines and 13 million passengers each year. Solution Spotlight Improves business agility with near- real-time access to data. Enhances data oversight and helps airport comply with stringent regulations. Business users can create reports in minutes and work easily with interactive dashboards, charts, and scorecards. . For more information about other Microsoft customer successes, please visit: www.microsoft.com/casestudies Microsoft SQL Server Customer Solution Case Study Airport Improves Business Agility with Near- Real-Time Reports and Self-Service BI Tools T