Explain briefly how your project/initiative complies with the SES award criteria – if available use
numbers and statistics (max 100 words each category)

Contribution to increasing capacity of ATM systems
The SESAR Virtual Centre concept improves the common provision of ATM functionalities in a
manner that increases flexibility to organise operations between ATSUs and enables multiple
ATSUs to be perceived as a single system from an airspace user’s perspective. The
demonstration 7 was able to show all five technical virtual centre objectives (service
orientation, multi-vendors, service provider independence, CWP provider independence,
remote usage), with the following benefits:
o
o
Increased capability to organise available capacities using interchangeable standard
services (including contingency).
Harmonised ATM functionalities and seamless cross-border and cross-ATSUs transitions
for Airspace user allowing an increase in capacity.

Improvement of ATM costs-efficiency
The SESAR Virtual Centre concept improves the common provision of ATM functionalities to
increases flexibility to organise operations between ATSUs and enables multiple ATSUs to be
perceived as a single system from an airspace user’s perspective. The demonstration 7 was
able to show all five technical virtual centre objectives (service orientation, multi-vendors,
service provider independence, CWP provider independence, remote usage), with the following
benefits
o Better cost efficiency for the European ATM industry with the rationalisation and
standardisation of ATM infrastructure and processes
o Increased agility and cost efficiency to implement and commission new ATM
functionalities through European ANSP

Early implementation (“First movers”) of SES obligations or SESAR solutions
On 4 February 2016 the feasibility demonstration took place at several European sites and the
Frequentis headquarters in Vienna. It was the first multi-vendor collaboration demonstration
for the virtual centre concept. This feasibility study was an important milestone in ATM
modernisation since it marks progress towards greater service orientation, interoperability,
service provider independence and remote service provision and showed the feasibility of this
virtual centre concept with the help of different vendors to prove service provider and CWP
provider independence.

Potential to be replicated over the ATM network
Due to the fact that Virtual Centre is increasing the capability to organise the available
capacities, both on the ATSUs operational side and on the ATM Data provision side using
interchangeable standard services, it is a necessity to be connected with the ATM network to
use these services from different ATSU operational sides.

Innovative aspects
The demonstration 7 showed the feasibility of the SESAR Virtual Centre concept, meaning the
decoupling of the ATM data service providers (ADSPs) from the air traffic service units (ATSUs)
through open and standardised service interfaces with successfully fulfilling following
objectives:
o Service Orientation
o Multi-vendors
o Service provider independence
o CWP provider independence
o Remote Usage

Promoting partnerships
In the frame of SESAR B.04.04 Demo7, EUROCONTROL, FREQUENTIS, NATS and skyguide in
cooperation with SkySoft-ATM, was demonstrating the first multi-vendor collaboration in
compliance with the SESAR Virtual Centre concept. To reach this challenging goal it was the
commitment of the involved partners to make this demonstration happen. Due to the fact that
Virtual Centre concept is built on partnerships, the demonstration was therefore also a
promotion to enhance partnerships to make the Virtual centre concept possible.
The event has also increased the awareness for the necessity of partnerships in the virtual
centre context.

Promoting SES and SESAR beyond the Unions boundaries
The SESAR B.04.04 Demo7 event promoted the virtual centre concept beyond the unions
boundaries due to the fact that the awareness of the virtual centre concept has been increased
based on several press releases and presentations on the WATMC 2016 using the demo 7 as a
main showcase for the virtual centre concept. It was well received by the public and the media.