Digitalization is taking over global aviation. Learn how automated record-keeping is improving operational efficiencies across the board.

The global aviation industry is bouncing back from the travel bans and lockdowns that defined the beginning of this decade. 2023 looks good, with recovery driving growth across the board. This is excellent for companies trying to regain their losses. However, exponential growth comes with its own challenges, namely streamlining operations and upgrading systems to meet demand.

Many sectors of the industry have encountered sticking points that hinder operational efficiency and slow growth. For instance, severe labor shortages have caused problems for global aviation across departments.

However, one of the biggest challenges airlines face is upgrading and automating their outdated manual systems to meet the competitive demands of the digital age. Modernized systems outstrip their antiquated counterparts and offer early adopters benefits that allow them to outmaneuver their competitors.

But overhauling established systems isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. To utilize complex applications, companies must adopt data-sharing infrastructures that can manage cutting-edge technologies.

Global Aviation Challenges: Impact of Manual Administration and Record-Keeping

Global aviation is trying to gain momentum after two years of disruptions. The necessary layoffs that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with interruptions to education and hiring, have led to a dire labor shortage across industry sectors. According to Reuters, aerospace employment has fallen 8.4% below pre-pandemic levels.

Most departments are experiencing difficulty hiring positions such as pilots, operations, marketing, sales, and customer service. However, one of the most disruptive labor shortages is within the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector.

Airlines face a delicate financial balance as they attempt to restart the industry’s engine. Maintaining major assets has become more expensive due to interruptions in maintenance operations and difficulties finding spare materials, particularly life-limited components. This has led to excessive costs that cannot be sustained.

In addition, supply chain issues are causing significant challenges across operations: grounded planes, canceled flights, and diminished budgetary margins.

Manual Processes Worsen These Issues

The inefficiencies caused by outdated manual systems are impacting maintenance and repair processes on multiple different levels. Notably:

Outdated inventory management software results in stocking issues, incorrectly stored and damaged parts, and overall disorganization. These inefficiencies increase lead times.
Unclear lines of communication with vendors can delay an airline’s supply chain and degrade business relationships.
Manual record-keeping and performance tracking are rife with errors and inefficiencies. Additionally, incomplete trace histories can reduce the value of major assets.
Manual systems reduce efficiency and increase workloads for employees. Additionally, increasing production quotas is difficult without advanced software designed to scale.
The overall costs of manual systems are higher as a lack of planning can lead to rush orders and increased administrative workloads.

Streamline Operations with Automation

Automated record-keeping is quickly taking over the global aviation industry because of the breadth of information that needs to be stored and managed. Digital systems increase accuracy, adapt to growth, manage quality reviews, and increase the traceability of parts.

Simply scanning documents into cloud storage and emailing them out might seem like a digital solution, but this workflow doesn’t use intelligent processing.

Smart software like ProvenAir is designed for automated documents. It can reduce human errors, create trustworthy trace histories, and leverage data to manage inventory. Plus, automation can help you increase individual employee efficiency, which reduces the impact of the labor shortage.

Top Reasons Digitizing Your Records Process Should Be a Priority of Global Aviation

Many sectors within global aviation have embraced and implemented technology. For instance, advanced, automated algorithmic systems assist the average flier throughout their journey. However, other sectors of the industry have been slower to embrace the necessity for change. MRO communities stand out, as many still utilize paper processes.

The hidebound MRO systems negatively impact the industry’s ability to track technical documents, manage parts inventories, and consistently meet traceability requirements. Luckily, despite the lag in digitization, software such as ProvenAir has already developed the solution. Its technology digitizes and classifies maintenance records, analyzes the part history, creates timelines, and runs reports for assets, parts, and sub-assemblies.

The airline industry already utilizes technology to improve the travel experience for passengers. It’s time for the MRO sector to embrace digitization as well.

1. Improve Asset and Residual Value

Record keeping is a key component of determining airworthiness. Therefore, the value of every component part is held in its documentation. Paper records are vulnerable—they may be misplaced or destroyed. They also take longer to review and offer no maintenance interval alerts.

Automated record keeping is a more secure way to maintain the aircraft value, which makes it easier to liquidate assets. Additionally, predictive maintenance significantly saves airlines both time and money. Mid-flight information can be sent to on-ground maintenance engineers, who will be able to prepare the right replacement parts before landing.

Finally, staying compliant with automated inspections reduces regulatory errors that are common on paper. It also increases efficiency.

2. Increase Efficiency from Nose to Tail

In global aviation, disorganization can be costly and unsafe, resulting in non-compliance penalties. Paper systems—or even hybrid digital/analog systems—carry significant risks that automated systems solve. Record-keeping algorithms like ProvenAir create a dynamic trace history that's easily searchable and maintainable and allows analysts to record notes about the material.

The cloud-based service makes sharing documentation with the appropriate parties fast and simple. As a result, lines of communication become clearer and more direct, optimizing both internal and external sales and maintenance.

3. Reduce Frustrations in a Transaction

Global aviation is a complex operation. Airlines juggle vast distances, strict timelines, complex mechanics, and tight regulatory measures. For all these moving parts to work together, you must have clear and efficient communication. One missed message could result in delays or worse.

By maintaining constant communication with other departments on a common platform, maintenance can reliably send and receive all messaging. Plus, smart software can leverage the data from these communications and records to help leadership optimize costs and predict maintenance.

Digitize Global Aviation with ProvenAir

The airline industry is trying to scale back up from years of shutdowns and reduced operations. The challenges of doing so are significant, yet those open to technological adaptation can rise above their competitors during these tumultuous times. Digitalization, particularly in the MRO sector, can alleviate the issues caused by labor shortages, save costs, and streamline administrative workflows.

ProvenAir’s back-to-birth (BtB) tracing will make inspections, sales, regulatory compliance, and automated maintenance much more efficient. Plus, its platform lets leaders leverage operational data and eliminate inefficiencies. Reach out today to see what ProvenAir can do for you.

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