Source: IFS

IFS, a global provider of business software, is launching two new solutions for commercial airlines, IFS Maintenix™ Fleet Planner and IFS Maintenix Line Planner. They are the first in a series of SaaS solutions designed specifically for the highly critical maintenance and engineering requirements of global aviation.

With the two new Software-as-a-Service solutions from IFS, commercial airlines of all sizes can dramatically increase the efficiency of their fleet and line maintenance. Existing maintenance resources can be utilized with maximum effectiveness and aircraft availability increases. The maintenance plans generated with the software are based on the airlines' operational performance targets while taking into account their highly critical safety requirements.

IFS Maintenix Fleet Planner helps airlines to effectively create long-term heavy maintenance plans and reduce the manual effort required to update them. The software automatically generates simple or complex fleet maintenance plans and allows them to be aligned to key performance metrics. Users can run "what if" scenarios and approve plans for implementation. Managers are given the time and insight they need to identify the best possible plans and respond quickly to plan changes.

The solution was developed with input from experienced planners responsible for both small and large aircraft fleets. As part of an early adopter program, IFS Maintenix Fleet Planner has already been selected by a major North American airline that operates a mixed fleet of wide-body, narrow-body and regional aircraft. The system has already been put to real-world use there, demonstrating its ability to increase aircraft availability, improve inspection efficiency and optimize hangar utilization.

IFS Maintenix Line Planner enables planners to easily create, maintain and communicate executable line maintenance plans. The software ensures greater efficiency by focusing on high-priority components and identifying root causes of maintenance issues, such as a shortage of parts, labor or special tools. Automated workflows allow planners to respond more quickly to last-minute changes and ensure optimum uptime and maintenance efficiency.

The software was developed by IFS in partnership with LATAM Airlines, the largest airline operator in South America. It operates over 300 aircraft locations and maintenance facilities throughout South and Central America. As a partner of IFS in creating and proving the value of the solution, LATAM is already using IFS Maintenix Planner in live operations and is benefiting from its advantages.

Both new solutions work seamlessly with any maintenance and engineering software. As software as a service, they enable companies to react quickly and cost-effectively to the increasing requirements in maintenance management resulting from the rapidly growing aircraft fleets. This operating model also means they can be easily adapted to organizational or quantitative changes.

"Growing fleets, more and more flight routes and new, complex aircraft: the pressure on airlines to reduce maintenance costs, allocate resources optimally and increase aircraft availability has grown," says Scott Helmer, Senior Vice President Aviation and Defense at IFS. "The basis for this is the maintenance plans. Shorter aircraft turnaround times, maintaining fleet airworthiness and low maintenance and material costs depend on robust yet flexible maintenance schedules. With IFS Maintenix Fleet Planner and IFS Maintenix Line Planner, companies can create such plans cost-effectively and respond quickly to growing markets."

IFS Maintenix Fleet Planner is available now. IFS Maintenix Line Planner will be generally available in the third quarter of 2018.