Competition in Saudi air industry has made local carriers switched to the recent technologies not just to further ensure safe services but also to promote professionalism in their employees. Within its framework of machinery updating, the Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) launched on Monday the first phase of its Institutional Resource Planning (ERP) project aimed at enhancing the airlines' strategic standards. ERP program includes financial programs, human resources, and asset, property and agent managements. In 2007, the SAP Arabia signed a contract with the national carrier to implement the project for the Saudi Arabian Airlines. On the occasion, Khalid Al-Molhem, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, said these systems will provide us with integrated database environment. “They will also help in quick and transparent data exchange between departments and sectors according to standard and effective measures to better serve customers,” he added. He pointed out that SAP financial systems would be launched during the first phase of the project. The phase will also include utilizing SAP's purchase systems and the InfoTrust technical documentation system. “Many facilities will benefit from this giant projects, among them are the basic aviation unit, technical support unit, handling department and catering,” he said. He added that other departments will have benefit of the project in the second phase. The second phase will be start next January and will help in cargo services, ground handling and catering The last phase of the project is scheduled to start at the end of May. According to the general director, the phase will help departments like medical unit, Prince Sultan Aviation Science Academy, human resources and others get advantage of the project. Al-Molhem said the SAA is the official carrier of this year's Jeddah Summer Festival. He added that his company has set a plan to face this summer season this year. “The plan includes transferring more than seven million passengers between various domestic and international stations with a capacity of about 30 thousand domestic and international flights,” he said. Some 3.8 million passengers will be using King Abdul Aziz International Airport, on some 17,000 domestic and international flights. Earlier, SAA has turned to Sun Microsystems for a complete systems upgrade to meet its growth requirements. Needing a massive infrastructure upgrade to ensure business continuity to facilitate its current and future growth, the airline company deployed SAP solutions for a comprehensive ERP solution to integrate and optimize their corporate, marketing, operations and e-Business Systems. To manage and run its business applications, the airline required a robust IT infrastructure to ensures smooth information exchange, reduce downtime, and guarantee 24/7 availability. __
