BA deploys Novell to deliver data to mobile workers

Up, up and away...

British Airways' regional airline business has signed a deal with Novell which will see it use the Utah-based company's software to integrate a raft of disparate systems and improve staff access to email and applications. British Airways CitiExpress is to deploy Novell Net Business Solutions throughout the organisation in a bid to reduce network administration costs and create an efficient mobile workforce. The initial phase of the agreement with Novell involves the rollout of GroupWise 5.5. Novell's Native File Access Pack will also be deployed, allowing users to access data and applications held on the NetWare server regardless of location or PC. Gavin Megnauth, head of IT for British Airways CitiExpress, said: "To compete in the airline industry, particularly in the highly competitive short-haul arena, we need to have the flexibility in our own infrastructure to deliver up to the minute information to a mobile workforce. A critical element of that is anytime, anywhere access to email and data." Novell's eDirectory product will form the basis of ongoing infrastructure development at British Airways CitiExpress. Megnauth hopes its deployment will help reduce costs for the airline as the business grows by centralising the management of user identities, access privileges and network resources. The value of the deal was not disclosed. British Airways CitiExpress is Europe's largest regional airline, and was launched by British Airways earlier this year.