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tech bytes Airport Technology Snapshot Social Media Boosts Worker Productivity Mention the words, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and smartphones, and many supervisors will say they question the negative impact these tools have on worker productivity. But a UK study recently found the use of digital devices and social tools actually helps people work smarter and more efficiently. Professor Joe Nandhakumar of the Warwick Business School reports in, "Exploring social network interactions in enterprise systems: the role of virtual co-presence" that using a myriad ways to communicate allows people to be more flexible about when and where they work, and more effective. The paper, authored with Joao Baptista and Niran Subramaniam, also of Warwick Business School, finds flexibility with social media in the office fits well with the demands of the modern world. "The amount of information now at the fingertips of the modern office worker should not mean they are overloaded, but empowered," says Nandhakumar. He suggests managers view digital connectivity as academic institutions do, where it is seen as an essential part of keeping up to speed with new knowledge and developments within the field. The study maintains workers are able to respond to social media communications in their own time, enabling time shifting of tasks by the participants. The report recommends that companies and organizations make sure workers can control the flow of information by turning it on and off when needed. ered the new signage and environmental graphics as part of the headquarters' extensive new branding project, which included a complete renovation of the main reception area and a newly designed recruitment center. Signbox worked with RAW Unlimited to develop signage that included internal corporate signage, glazing manifestation, and large format display and environmental graphics. AirIT EASE™s Into Branson Airport Will the FAA Lift the PED Ban? AirIT has successfully implemented and integrated its shared use system, EASE™ (Extended Airline System Environment) for Southwest Airlines at the Branson Airport (BKG). The airport now handles its passenger processing demands with AirIT's EASE™ virtualized platform, which allows airlines to extend their applications onto the airport's shared network environment. AirIT's EASE™ platform can be implemented at any airport, regardless of size, at a cost far below that of traditional common use systems. It is currently operational at 26 airports in North America. Digital Signage News A speed-marquee logo, halo illuminated with white LEDs, and fashioned from both satin and polished stainless steel, with seamless blended edges, now greets those who enter the British Airways Global headquarters at Waterside, near London Heathrow. Signbox Ltd., designers and manufacturers of architectural signage, deliv- The FAA announced plans to reconsider its ban on the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) during taxiing, take-off and landing, with new rules coming into force possibly before years-end. The new rules would apply to a host of digital devices including tablets, notebooks, e-readers and portable media players. However, mobile phones would remain banned during critical phases of a flight. The New York Times recently reported that the industry group set up last year to investigate the use of PEDs on planes during takeoff and landing will likely recommend loosening the current rules when it concludes its study at the end of July. While the journey to allow passengers to use PEDS on planes during take-off and landing has been slow, reports suggest that the day may soon come when gadget-loving fliers can use their devices from gate to gate without restriction. April 2013 www.AviationPros.com 17