SciSys developed software for a Customer Information System (CIS) for London Underground Limited. The System provides passengers with information about revised train services on both the Station Entrance Display and the Station Concourse 'Whiteboard' displays.
Key to the success of the project was the specification and use of leading-edge software languages. Rapid Applications Development was enabled by the use of custom control language extensions provided by the Visual Basic language and additional custom controls developed specifically for the project.
Benefits include:
- Co-ordinated information can be sent to signs allowing efficient use of staff.
- Customers can be informed of any local conditions immediately.
- Ensures consistency of information.
- Flexibility to distribute specific, accurate and timely information.
- Customers can be provided with detailed information or an animated representation.
- Ensures flexibility of operational use.
- NCC operators can see exactly how displays will look to customers.
- Economy of scale possible by central control.
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The Station Entrance Displays are normally controlled centrally by the Network Control Centre (NCC) operators from their PC workstations.
Messages from the operator are routed by a Communications Server to specific station based PCs which then drive the entrance signs.
SciSys provided software to implement the NCC operator software, the station operator software and the NCC Communications Server software. SciSys also developed the communications software to operate the multidrop links to the stations and the links to the display signs.
