The PegaSys system is a major upgrade of the previously used Genesis system, and is used for the planning, scheduling and operations of all crew and aircraft.

SAA implemented the software in August, which the airlines CIO, Mike Re, says is unmatched in terms of its level of database integration. It is this level of integration that provides enormous functionality and productivity benefits to both customers and staff, he says.

After an in-depth investigation, says Re, we decided on PegaSys as we could not find any other system in the world closely matching it. The key factor was that no other supplier in the world could provide SAA with all the modules contained in one integrated solution.

The level of functionality is superior to the many alternatives available and the pricing is competitive. It is a South African-developed and supported solution, and gives us the luxury of having our supplier at our doorstep as well as the support of the global Fujitsu organisation. Few airlines have this privilege.

PegaSys contains over 17 modules all integrated to one single database with all the modules sharing the same information. It is said to be integrated to over 25 external systems, including the storage of many years of historical data. Over 25 man-years of development went into adding the new functionality.

The main advantage of PegaSys, with its ease of integration to new applications, is claimed to be the ability to more easily implement new functionality. Security has also been enhanced, as well as the inclusion of a centralised rule module to provide better management control, Re adds.

A consolidated rule module means that rules governing flight and crew scheduling are held in one central repository. Previously rules were held within different systems, and could sometimes be overlooked.