APCOA – Berlin Airport

  • Success Story

IT Infrastructure at Berlin Airport: Reliable, Scalable, On Time

Client: APCOA Deutschland GmbH
Industry: Mobility and Parking IT
Service Area: Digital Infrastructure

APCOA Deutschland GmbH operates parking facilities at some of Germany’s most important transportation hubs. For the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) on October 31, 2020, the entire parking infrastructure had to be up and running in time. Under intense time pressure, with complex technological requirements and rapidly changing on-site conditions, Axsos took responsibility for modernizing and restoring the IT infrastructure to full operation, ensuring that APCOA was fully operational on opening day.

  • The Challenge

Outdated systems, tight deadlines, and an airport that couldn't wait

When IT Infrastructure Becomes a Critical Prerequisite for Launch BER Airport was one of Germany’s most closely watched infrastructure projects. For APCOA, the upcoming opening meant that the entire IT infrastructure of the parking facilities had to be brought up to a future-proof standard in the shortest possible time. There was no room for delays. The existing systems were technologically outdated and no longer met the requirements of modern airport operations. At the same time, new services had to be integrated, the network design adapted to the changed local conditions, and the reliability of the entire infrastructure significantly improved. Manual processes, fragmented system landscapes, and a lack of scalability presented APCOA with a substantial challenge. Added to this were last-minute changes in requirements as well as the high coordination effort required between various technological disciplines—all under the constant pressure of a fixed opening date.

  • The Solution

Custom IT Infrastructure for One of Germany's Largest Airports

Scalable, resilient, and tailored to the BER’s requirements. Axsos first conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the existing infrastructure. Based on this analysis, a customized solution was developed that ensured both the immediate operational requirements and the long-term scalability of the IT systems.

01

Upgrade of the Server Infrastructure

Working closely with Dell, the outdated server infrastructure was completely overhauled. The new infrastructure is powerful, future-proof, and designed to reliably meet growing demands.

02

Optimized Network Design

The network design was fundamentally revised and adapted to the changed on-site conditions at BER Airport. Particular attention was paid to cable routing and the repair of existing damage in order to create a stable and fail-safe network infrastructure.

03

Integration of New Services

New technological solutions such as FlowANPR (automatic license plate recognition) and a digital taxi management system have been integrated into the infrastructure. In addition, the connection of the drop-off areas to Terminal 1 was successfully implemented as part of another customer project.

04

Flexible adaptation to last-minute changes

All additional requirements and adjustments that arose during the course of the project were consistently incorporated into the new network design without jeopardizing the project schedule.

  • The Implementation

Step by Step Toward a Fully Operational Infrastructure

Structured Implementation Under Real-World Operating Conditions The implementation took place in several coordinated phases, ensuring continuous operational capability throughout the entire renovation phase. Axsos coordinated all trades and ensured seamless alignment between technological and structural requirements.

Integration and Commissioning

All new services, such as FlowANPR and taxi management, were fully integrated into the overall system and accepted prior to the opening date.

Network and Cable Infrastructure

Damage to the physical infrastructure has been repaired. The cable routing was redesigned and adapted to the airport’s structural conditions in order to create a permanently stable foundation.

Infrastructure Update

The existing systems were brought up to the current technological standard. Servers and network technology were replaced, modernized, and optimized for continuous operation.

The implementation was carried out in close coordination with the relevant personnel at APCOA. Direct communication on an equal footing was a key factor in the project’s success. Axsos supported the entire process as a reliable partner and responded flexibly to new requirements.
  • Project Successes

An airport is set to open, and the infrastructure is ready

01

On-time implementation

All parking garages and parking lots at BER Airport were fully operational in time for the opening on October 31, 2020. APCOA was able to begin operations without any restrictions.

02

Improved reliability

The optimized network design ensures a stable, resilient infrastructure. The systems' reliability has been significantly improved. This is an essential foundation for reliable airport operations.

03

Integration of New Technologies

Services such as FlowANPR and digital taxi management improve operational processes and the customer experience in the long term. APCOA now has a modern, service-oriented infrastructure.

  • The Conclusion

Trust as a Foundation: IT Infrastructure as a Source of Freedom

A Reliable Partnership for Complex Infrastructure Projects The successful modernization of the IT infrastructure at BER Airport demonstrates what professional implementation under pressure entails: precise planning, consistent execution, and communication based on genuine trust. With the new infrastructure, APCOA gained not only technological stability but, above all, the freedom to focus on what matters most: reliable operations for millions of travelers. Axsos delivered more than just technology.

As an equal partner, Axsos took responsibility from the initial evaluation through to successful commissioning. The result: a scalable, fail-safe, and future-proof digital infrastructure that meets the requirements of one of Germany’s most important transportation hubs. “What’s important is that we can discuss everything with Axsos, that we can address issues openly, and that we always feel we’re being taken seriously.” Andreas Holzhauer, CFO of APCOA Deutschland GmbH

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Axsos AG, Konrad-Zuse-Weg 1, 72555 Metzingen, +49 0711 901196 440, www.axsos.de

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Jamil Isayyed

Jamil is an experienced digital process professional, has a rich international background in the information technology and services industry spanning Germany, Greece and Palestine. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Scrum Master certification from the Scrum Alliance with a focus on Computer Software Engineering. Jamil is passionate about leading and building high-performance teams that deliver exceptional experiences and create valuable opportunities for clients. In addition to his main role, he is the Director of Axsos Academy GmbH. In this role, he leads a dynamic German-Palestinian bootcamp designed to help young people enter the IT market and build a successful career.

Bernd Length

Bernd Länge has been working in the IT industry for over 20 years and advises clients and interested parties on cyber security issues as well as on the development and implementation of information security management and data protection. In this role, he acts as an external data protection and information security officer for clients. It is important to him to take a pragmatic approach and work closely with clients, partners and vendors to ensure that clients' enterprise security is up to date.

Martin Müller

As a technology enthusiast and committed leader, he has been helping companies in the IT sector to shape the future of work for over 20 years. Thanks to his quick thinking and ability to develop effective solutions, he is able to formulate a clear vision of what our future way of working will look like. Step by step, he overcomes challenges and drives us forward into the future. However, he does not accomplish these tasks alone. He has a competent team that he trusts completely and can rely on. Together they overcome every hurdle! Through positive, critical thinking, the second-best solution often leads to incremental success - after all, even an empire wasn't built in a day. This approach makes him unique in his role and he looks forward to working with you on the path to the future.

Rolf Stephan

His enthusiasm for information technology led Rolf to study computer science and graduate from the University of Karlsruhe, now the KIT / Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Rolf has been working in the IT sector ever since and knows the industry inside out - both nationally and internationally. For more than 25 years, he has focused on international cooperation between experts across all cultures. He also pursued this approach in the first company he founded, AD Solutions AG, which quickly developed into a renowned international IT service provider with several branches in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the USA. Rolf Stephan has been General Manager since 2010 and CEO of AXON IVY AG, headquartered in Switzerland, since 2021. He has been an investor, shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Axsos AG since 2009.

Frank Müller

Frank is a passionate IT expert and visionary entrepreneur. He loves and believes in peace and freedom. For him, these values are more than just words. They are the result of great awareness, responsibility and a solid foundation. His foundation is his faith in Jesus and his unconditional love for people. Frank builds his great visions on this foundation, such as his commitment to peace in the Holy Land. He is not afraid to realize creative and unconventional ideas, such as founding a medium-sized company that spans four countries and cultures and offers its employees a great deal of freedom. Founding a bootcamp academy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is certainly one of these ventures. Through these efforts, Frank creates new innovations and added value for his customers and the people who travel with him. With more than 32 years of IT experience and 15 years as an entrepreneur, Frank helps other entrepreneurs focus on their core business and translate their needs into technology opportunities and implementations. His team and he can translate these requirements into a customized IT strategy, processes and technologies. Frank always has a heart for the people he supports and wants to encourage them to break new ground and develop their potential. Frank is open to exchanging ideas with people who see values not as CSR or marketing chatter, but as the basis of their actions. He seeks contact with people who want to change the world for the better. He also welcomes those who are looking for support from him or his team on their journey into the cloud, digitalization or the use of AI.