A system this sophisticated needs an exceptional set of fixtures to facilitate the multitude of features that are built in. These fixtures are the Personal Occupant Requirements Terminals that give PORT Technology its name. Our all-new set of PORT terminals feature a range of specifications enclosing standardized internal hardware. Whatever the architectural aspiration or functional requirement at a particular touch point, there is a PORT terminal to satisfy it.
PORT Technology provides more functionality than any elevator system in history, It is feature rich and these are constantly evolving. As well as providing the most efficient use of an elevator group, the passengers it serves will really enjoy the seamless way they are whisked to their destination with a minimal number of intermediate stops. In addition, the security features implicit in the design ensure their peace of mind throughout the journey.
PORT Technology builds on Schindler’s unique 30 year experience of a system known as Destination Control which radically improves the traffic handling efficiency of a group of elevators.
In the 1990s building height was beginning to be limited by the number of additional elevators required to provide good service. It was generally understood in the industry that an approach whereby passengers could register their destinations before boarding would provide higher service levels from a a specific group of elevators and solve the problem. However, no one in the industry had been able to make a practical system based on this concept. In 1992, Schindler introduced Miconic 10, the first practical Destination Control system and revolutionized the market. In the early 2000’s as it became clear that destination control was the way forward, other companies offered products but by then Schindler was already on its second generation system – and PORT is the third!
When a passenger communicates to PORT the destination they require, either via a terminal, RFID card or smartphone, the system analyses every possible combination of ways that this journey can be provided considering all the other calls in the system and the current deployment of each elevator. Using a special algorithm representing many years of research, the optimum allocation is determined and communicated to the passenger via the terminal or phone. They can then stand in front of the assigned elevator door ready to quickly step in and be transported with minimal stopping to their floor.
We believe that PORT Technology dispatching represents a pinnacle in the industry today. But we are not standing still. Every year we get more data from the many thousands of units we have running worldwide which are utilized by our research teams to incrementally improve performance. We do not intend to give up our performance lead in a hurry!
The passenger experience is what every aspect of PORT design is intended to enhance. We want every contact with our users to be one which delights them with a sense of security, comfort and convenience. From the moment they enter a building and, without having to touch any surface, gain admission, walk to their elevator and are speedily transported to their floor, our aim is to provoke a great sense of wellbeing and a feeling that the system is there to provide them with a personalized service.
We will learn where they typically want to go at certain times and try to anticipate their needs. We will always try to allocate them an elevator that is not too full and reaches their destination without many intermediate stops and, above all we will always attempt to provoke the feeling that each journey they make is considered by PORT to be of great importance.