Tata Consultancy Services, a leading global IT services and business solutions firm, and ICTS International NV, subsidiary I-SEC Technologies will provide global airline alliance, Star Alliance, automatic document checking, aimed at simplifying the complex verification of travel documentation for air travellers.

The Star Alliance network, established in 1997 as a global airline alliance, initiated the development of this automatic document checking software involving experts from 11 of its member carriers.

TCS designed the overall solution and managed the prestigious programme for Star Alliance, while I-SEC Technologies maintains the systems' rule engine database and assisted in designing its concept.

"The automatic document checking solution helps carriers to significantly expedite check-in processes," said Lee Hock Lye, vice president, products and services, Star Alliance. "As airline costs continue to rise, carriers need solutions that reduce cost, improve travel efficiency and boost customer satisfaction; automatic document checking does just this."

Automatic document checking has already been implemented at one leading Star Alliance member carrier. Additional Star Alliance member carriers are presently working on future implementation schedules. This state-of-the-art solution will reduce the time for passenger check-in and help airlines avoid immigration fines.

S Sukanya, global head, travel, transportation and hospitality industry solution unit, said, "We are proud to partner with Star Alliance in this initiative. In 2005, we helped Star become the first global alliance to allow inter-airline upgrades across its carriers. TCS is now continuing its pioneering partnership to deliver an innovative, cutting edge automatic document checking solution that reduces airline costs and improves traveler satisfaction."

The automatic document checking solution shortens airport check-in time, especially for international travelers. The automatic document checking software evaluates the passengers' travel documents and provides clear 'yes', 'no' or 'conditional' decisions on whether the passengers' travel documents will allow them to continue to their intended destination.
The system also provides travel warnings and restrictions associated with the rules of the country they are traveling to, in a clear, easy to understand format. The system helps expand the scope of off-airport check-in initiatives, as it can be extended to airlines' check-in systems on the Internet and at self-service kiosks.

"The launch of the automatic document checking solution is an important milestone in the journey of I-SEC delivering world-class aviation security solutions," said Menachem J Atzmon, chairman, ICTS. "We are proud to partner with TCS to deliver this solution for Star Alliance which reduces carrier cost while improving travel and time efficiency and time for all."

Star Alliance received the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award in 2008 and was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveler magazine in 2003, 2006 and 2007 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Star Alliance members are Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network.

Air India has been accepted as a future member of the alliance. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 18,100 daily flights to 975 destinations in 162 countries.

I-SEC Technologies (formally ICTS Technologies B.V) has pioneered the development of innovative security concepts and systems. I-SEC Technologies specializes in the development and implementation of unique, state-of-the-art technological solutions for the homeland security market, designed to meet border control security needs; current and anticipated threats to the transportation industry (aviation, mass transit,); and banks by providing a front-end automated document reading and forgery detection capabilities.

This month TCS also signed a five-year global contract with Ericsson, the world-leading supplier in telecommunications, to deliver application maintenance and development services for Ericsson's internal IT operations (See: TCS inks a five year contract with Ericsson in Sweden) and was selected as technology partner by Clearstream Services S.A to support the development of the IT infrastructure for Link Up Markets.

It has also formed a partnership with Saab for the establishment of Saab's Aeronautical Design and Development Center (ADDC) in India. Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defense to civil security. (See: Saab AB and TCS announce joint aeronautical development centre in India)