Manchester Airport plans ERP transformation with Capgemini

Cost savings and improved customer service behind SAP Business Suite rollout at Manchester Airports Group

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which also operates Stansted and East Midlands airports, has selected Capgemini to manage, develop and implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform.

The deal forms part of a wider transformation, which previously saw a deployment of Esri's geographical information system (GIS) as part of an upgrade of the publicly owned company's asset management.

MAG handed Capgemini a one-year contract, the financial details of which haven't been disclosed. The aim of the partnership is to "build a strong platform to enable innovative digital and customer strategies that will result in cost savings and improved customer service".

"As MAG continues to go from strength to strength, now serving around 48 million passengers every year, it is crucial that our IT capability provides a solid foundation for innovation and future growth," said Garry Dowdle, CIO at MAG.

"The ERP transformation programme is at the core of MAG's IT strategy and will provide finance, human resources, and procurement with the right processes, data and technology for the job, delivering a step change in the user experience, and helping to make MAG a great place to work," he continued.

"The programme is focused on being a key enabler of profitable growth for MAG by delivering more efficient and higher quality information for business decision-making, supported by best practice processes and robust controls," Dowdle added.

The project will cover integration of new systems and processes across the four MAG airports, all of which will be underpinned by SAP Business Suite 4 SAP Hana.

It's hoped that the outcome will "drive innovation by connecting people, devices and networks" and therefore support the development of new business models at the airports.

Nivedita Krishnamurthy, head of markets at Capgemini, welcomed the partnership with MAG. "This new contract is a fantastic extension to Capgemini's significant airport experience across the world, and we are proud to now be one of the leading providers of business application services to UK airports," she said.

"We are excited to be working with such a forward thinking and passionate business as Manchester Airports Group that recognises the importance of making sophisticated technology choices to enable business transformation," Krishnamurthy added.

Manchester Airports Group isn't the only body in the sector looking to use innovative technology to upgrade services. Speaking earlier this year, Gatwick Airport CIO Michael Ibbitson revealed plans to harness big data and make the airport "the Uber of aviation".