News and Reviews

Argentina leads the way in AMHS ground to ground messaging by deploying a system provided by Isode partner Radiocom Inc.

By passing its Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Provisional Site Acceptance Tests (PSAT) the aviation messaging system now being rolled out in Argentina becomes one of the first deployed systems based on the new ICAO standard for ground to ground messaging, AMHS. The new system was supplied by Radiocom Inc. of Miami, Florida and based on components developed by Radiocom and UK-based Isode Ltd.

(LONDON. - September 20, 2005) - AMHS (Air Traffic Service Message Handling System) is the new standard for ground to ground messaging in the aviation industry. Defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) it is based on the recognised 'X.400' messaging standard and replaces the existing legacy 'AFTN' systems now in use by most Aeronautical Administrations worldwide.

Ground to ground messaging systems are used by Aeronautical Authorities to exchange information including meteorological charts, flight information bulletins and aeronautical information publications (or AIPs) – information crucial to the security and safety of national and international air travel.

By adopting AMHS, which is interoperable with the legacy systems (AFTN), Aviation Administrations can provide their airports with a number of key benefits, including:

The ability to operate over a general purpose network, shared with other systems, rather than the dedicated network required by AFTN,
Digital signature of messages, to provide content integrity and origin authentication,
An Air Traffic Network directory, used for address verification, determination of the capabilities of the receiving system and management of security parameters,
Support for very large messages and message attachments.

Radiocom Inc was chosen as the preferred supplier after an international competition and have based their solution on software components developed in-house and supplied by UK software house, Isode.

Complying with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP) of ICAO, Radiocom Inc. are able to offer the aeronautical market products that are ready-to-use today and a solution capable of integrating ATM systems, in a cost-effective way. Products supplied in Argentina include:

The (TAU) User Agent. Originally designed as an AFTN terminal, TAU has evolved into a versatile tool geared to work with the AMHS protocol, making it one of the most advanced terminals on the market.
The ComGate AFTN/AMHS gateway. The most effective way of linking AFTN and AMSH E-mail networks and sub networks converting data between different formats.

Isode have taken the lead in offering X.400 messaging and X.500 directory software, management tools, and APIs, necessary to provide the AMHS ground to ground communication channel as well as the integration products allowing vendors to build solutions that will work seamlessly with the legacy AFTN systems still deployed.

Commenting on successful acceptance tests Mr. Francisco Turconi, President of Radiocom Inc. said: "We are very pleased at being selected by ICAO, who made a choice on the basis of the features contained within our competitively priced system. These successful acceptance tests as well as the tests carried out during the bidding process not only allows us to demonstrate the maturity of our product, but it is also the best way to pay back ICAO's confidence in our company"

Steve Kille, CEO of Isode Limited added: "We're very pleased to have been able to assist Radiocom Inc. with this ground breaking and important deployment. We believe that this deployment will be used as a model for future AMHS deployments in Latin America and worldwide."

About Radiocom Inc.

Radiocom Inc. is an U.S. company based in Miami, with close links to Latin America, and particularly with Argentina, serving the needs of the Aeronautical Administrations of the region. Its origin can be traced back to companies providing services in the ATS domain for over 20 years.

About Isode

Isode is a software product company, originally established in 1992. Its M-Vault (LDAP Directory Server) and M-Switch (SMTP Message Switch) are used around the world by Multinational Corporations, Government Departments, ISPs, and Universities including BT Ignite, Federal Bridge Certification Authority, Novis Telecom, EDS, PTM.com, Queens University Belfast, Steria Limited, Her Majestys Government Computing Centre (HMGCC), Leeds Learning and The Government of Alberta.

Contact Information

Radiocom Inc:

901 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite 606,
Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA
Tel. +1 (305) 593 5341
Fax +1 (305) 446 7815

radiocominc@radiocominc.com
faturconi@radiocominc.com

www.radiocominc.com

Isode:

Will Sheward
+44 (20) 8783 0203
will.sheward@isode.com

Tuesday, September 20th, 2005

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