Aircraft IT MRO

ISSUE 1 • APRIL/MAY 2011

Value for money?

How to realise a return on investment for your MRO IT Solution

The complexities and benefits of an ERP MRO Solution Best practice for MRO software selection Linking a Best of Breed MRO Solution with Flight Ops software White Papers: SAKS Consulting and SH&E • Case Studies: AirTran and GOL

MAINTENANCE or ENGINEERING INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROBLEMS? At any given moment, over 100,000 technicians, engineers and pilots depend on InfoTrust Group solutions.

With over 20 years of experience solving back office maintenance and engineering systems problems, we offer a wide range of applications and service offerings designed specifically to meet your needs: •

Widely deployed end-to-end solutions for authoring, change management, publishing and delivery

•

Services including aircraft records, technical writing, engineering, change authoring and conversion

•

Consulting, program management, hosting and outsourcing

To learn more, call us at +1 949.732.7500 or visit our website at www.infotrustgroup.com

APRIL-MAY 2011 | AIRCRAFT IT MRO | CONTENTS | 3

4 An Introduction to Aircraft IT MRO 5 Latest News & Technology Updates roundup of the latest MRO IT industry news and technology A updates & upgrades

Editor’s comment

7

How to ensure a return on investment for your MRO IT Solution.

Michael Wm. Denis, Principal, SH&E

Welcome to AircraftIT MRO a Journal written for the industry by the industry.

As you know IT solutions are becoming increasingly important for airlines/MROs/Operators as they strive to cut costs maintaining their aircraft whilst still increasing efficiency and complying with regulations.

New software solutions and upgrades are coming to the market all the time making IT the fastest growing sector of the aviation industry and innovative airlines and MROs are experimenting with new theories and techniques to varied success.

AircraftIT MRO is designed to pull the MRO IT industry together to provide for a global exchange of expertise and ideas. Therefore, each eJournal features keynote White Papers written by leading consultants / Industry experts and case studies from the IT users themselves – the airlines/MROs/ Operators/etc.

You, the reader, are invited to take part in this exchange by using the interactive nature of this eJournal to ask questions of the authors or to start discussions by leaving your views and experiences on similar topics after each article.

IT buyers can keep up-to-date with the latest software and upgrades on the market via the latest news and technology section and software directory within the eJournal and take part in live software demo webinars at www.aircraftIT.com.

Given the subject matter there really was no choice but to go paperless ourselves – therefore AircaftIT MRO is only available as an eJournal. Of course this makes it even easier for the exchange of ideas so please forward this eJournal onto your colleagues and let the sharing of knowledge begin.

I look forward to receiving your feedback.

Ed Haskey, AircraftIT

White Paper

12

Case StudY The increasing complexity of MRO ERP systems, implementation strategies, challenges, and ultimate rewards.

James Buckalew, Managing Director Maintenance Planning, AirTran Airways

17

White PapeR Selecting MRO Systems: From hubris to failed implementation. Lessons learned and best practice for MRO software selection.

Sharhabeel Lone, Partner, SAKS Consulting

22

Case StudY How a good implementation of a ‘best of breed’ MRO system with ERP and Flight Ops Systems can bring cost savings and increase productivity.

Fernando Lucena, Business Solution Manager, GOL Linhas Aereas

27 Software Webinars View which Live Software Demonstration and specialist MRO IT Webinar sessions are coming up and sign up to attend.

28 Latest MRO IT Vacancies View the latest industry vacancies

29 Software Directory View the software solutions of the world’s leading MRO IT Vendors

AircraftIT is published bi-monthly and is an affiliate of Aircraft Commerce and part of the AviationNextGen Ltd group, 18 Grove Street, Brighton, BN2 9NY, United Kingdom. A company registered in England Number: 742 2850. Entire contents within this publication © Copyright 2011 AviationNextGen Ltd an independent publication and not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or suppliers. Content may not be reproduced without the strict written agreement from the publisher.

CONTACT Ed Haskey Tel: +44 (0)1403 230 700 or +44 (0)1273 700 555 Email: ed.haskey@aircraft-commerce.com Website: www.aircraftIT.com Aircraft IT, 18 Grove Street, Brighton, BN2 9NY. United Kingdom