Chris Thomas, USWeb/CKS, 801/328-1113
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS Helps JetBlue Airways Get Off The Ground
Network Infrastructure Expertise and Strategic Insight Help JetBlue Take Off
SAN FRANCISCO - February 25, 2000 - USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq:USWB), the leader in Internet professional services, today announced its work in helping to launch JetBlue Airways, the new low-fare airline based out of New York�s JFK Airport. USWeb/CKS applied strategy and technology expertise to build the airline�s network infrastructure � including integrating all of the applications necessary for flight operations � and provided strategic insight to help JetBlue meet its February 11, 2000 inaugural flight.
�In the airline business, speed and systems reliability are absolutely critical,� said Kyle Davie, director of Information Technology for JetBlue Airways. �USWeb/CKS has been instrumental in helping us quickly build the network and back-end infrastructure we need to support short- and long-term growth.�
JetBlue called upon USWeb/CKS in December 1999. The project�s challenges included a need for speed, geographical diversity and scalability versus cost. The start-up airline needed a network solution to operate in two places: JetBlue�s headquarters in New York and its reservations center in Salt Lake City, as well as connect to terminals in Buffalo, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa � the airline�s initial destinations from JFK.
A USWeb/CKS team of technology and strategy experts from Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, New York and Connecticut developed an airline-specific IT strategy and worked with internal and external partners and vendors to identify, prioritize, deploy and manage key IT systems and infrastructure to successfully launch JetBlue. The IP-based network integrates four major applications for flight and crew tracking, weather, maintenance and filing flight plans. It offers redundancy without exorbitant expense and is highly scalable to accommodate JetBlue�s plans to expand to 10 cities in the next year.
�Based on our experience working for several different airlines, we were able to offer JetBlue a suite of best practices and strategic insight,� said Tim Stanley, partner, USWeb/CKS. �They chose the applications and processes that best fit their model and we tailored solutions that integrated everything into the infrastructure.�
USWeb/CKS also provided strategic insight in preparing for FAA certification. The team worked to ensure the network infrastructure was in place for all airline operations and helped prepare JetBlue for certifications.
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) seeks to transform businesses in the digital economy and create sustainable market leadership for its clients. As the leading Internet professional services firm, USWeb/CKS has created a new standard for success in the digital economy � Time-to-Value. Time-to-Value means USWeb/CKS applies its extensive insight, experience and scale to deliver breakthrough results quickly. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with more than 4,500 professionals in 13 countries around the world. USWeb/CKS recently announced its intention to merge with Whittman-Hart Corporation. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 415/284-7070.