Raúl Fernandez
Product Manager
Part 6: Integrating various technologies
A functional security checkpoint requires the integration of multiple pieces of specialist equipment. This includes X-ray scanners, walk-through metal detectors (WTMDs), explosive trace detectors (ETDs), boarding pass scanners and automated screening lanes (ASL).
However, these are often provided by different companies. Therefore, it can be a challenge for airports to implement a standard concept of operations across the checkpoint.
To lay the foundations for an efficient security checkpoint, both the ASL and remote screening software must be able to integrate different hardware and software technologies.
Hardware integration
When it comes to hardware, ASLs and X-ray scanners need to work in synergy. Airports must ensure that their lanes will be flexible enough to adapt. This must happen regardless of whether they are using single view, dual view, CT scanners, or mixed technology.
The modularity of Vanderlande’s ASL allows it to be integrated with all major X-ray scanners – a fact showcased by its successful deployment around Europe. It also allows airports to easily change X-ray scanners when new technologies become available. By changing only certain modules, rather than the entire lane, nothing else is affected, also confirming the lane’s future-proof qualities.
Software integration
X-ray scanners should be integrated with centralised image processing (CIP) software to ensure that the screening operations are carried out effectively.
When operating locally with traditional lanes, the X-ray scanner’s belt and the lane are usually controlled manually by an agent. By centralising the screening operations, both are controlled automatically by the CIP software. This means that it is essential for the software to integrate with various types of equipment.
Vanderlande’s CIP software can integrate with any X-ray scanner, as well as manual and automated lanes. This means that airports can work with mixed equipment and easily integrate new technologies as required.
In addition, the software allows airports to proceed to screening operations with a single user interface that utilises common colouring.
This functionality is especially valuable for airports operating with mixed fleets of X-ray scanners, because security agents only have to learn to work with one system. This also reduces the need for training.
Information at your fingertips
Alongside seamless integration, Vanderlande’s remote screening software has the capacity to integrate with other checkpoint devices – such as WTMDs and ETDs – by collecting the data they create and gathering it in a central repository.
Read the next article of our series to see how this data can deliver value to airports when used with advanced reporting and monitoring tools. Alternatively, you can further explore the world of checkpoint security in our previous blogs (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 and part 5).