Type B messaging is a world wide communication standard for airlines and airline related industries primarily used to send address oriented and formatted messages worldwide.
MesX is the Lufthansa Systems solution for Type B messaging. For individual Type B traffic the web based graphical interface Mes*Web has been developed.
Beside the obligation of a worldwide secured and in due time delivery of
Type B messages in a store and forward mode as defined by ATA/IATA and AFTN/ICAO standards, several links to airlines, airports, flight controls and other business partners are part of the MesX service, as well as ground to plane communication (DataLink).
The following functions are part of MesX:
- Message switching and configuration service in compliance with international IATA/SITA Type B message standards
- Worldwide delivery both in IATA (SITA) and ICAO (AFTN) message format with end-to-end assurance
- Delivery of messages with ASCII 7 bit character set using various output formats, e.g. Type B, Fax, e-Mail, SMS
- Worldwide accessibility via directly connected terminals and interconnections to other airlines and providers
- Support of standard protocols, e.g. MQSeries, MATIP/ BATAP (RFC 2351), Web Services, etc.
- Rule based routing depending on destination address, originator airline code and SMI
MesX is already prepared for the future TypeX message format and an extended message length for dedicated interfaces.
MesWeb
Lufthansa Systems developed MesWEB as web based graphical interface for individual Type B traffic in conjunction with MesX. End users can send and receive messages with an automate format conversion when using different output media.
MesWeb is optimized for standard internet browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox).
In addition to the standard functions described for MesX the following advantages Mes*Web provides:
- Graphical user interface to read, write, copy, forward and search within received or sent messages
- Personal address book and personal / public folders
- Comprehensive online help function