Technology and Big Data improve the experience at airports around the world

These are times of great changes and with them, we have to adapt and do things differently. However, I would dare to say that the airport sector has rethought from many angles the way it had been operating and providing its services. Now we can find “super modern” airports where the priority is to provide a positive travel experience by making passenger traffic more efficient, but how did they achieve this?

The development of specific technology for the industry, and big data have been a fundamental key to having more efficient airport management. Since the analysis of this data allows them to predict and measure the movement of passengers, determine schedules, routes, and travelers’ crowds to manage resources more optimally.

Airport technology trends aimed at improving the experience and satisfaction of travelers are leveraged on mobile devices supported by the cloud, which allows modernizing the operational and logistical environment of airport facilities.

A good example of this type of technology is Seeking, implemented in Barajas T4 and El Prat T1. Which allows the airport to know how passengers move around its facilities, even if they visit the Duty-Free and VIP lounges if they connect to the airport WI-FI and even send relevant information. In this way, they provide an anonymous digital identity and track each of their actions, being able to analyze the behavior of their passengers and detect new business niches.

The operational evolution of airports with the analysis of this data in real-time allows greater planning in terms of infrastructure management, which translates into greater convenience for the traveler. 

If a flight arrives at the airport and has a later connection, it could be more easily planned to provide a nearby gate to avoid travelers from transit long distances. Thus shortening the waiting time of the plane on the ground optimizing the service and providing a better user experience and this can only be achieved with data collection and analysis.

Currently and as mentioned above, much-specialized software is being developed for the aviation industry, as is the case of GP Nauticals Suite, which focuses mainly on optimizing airport management and facilitating the collection and analysis of information in each of its areas and with minimal investment. 

If you want to learn more about GP Nauticals and see all the products available, you can do so by visiting their website or contacting a specialist in the area.

What is airport management?

When we talk about airport management, we refer to all those companies that are related to the provision of services in the air transport sector, and more specifically we can focus on those that make life inside airports.

 

It is rather a business organization of all those air transport companies such as the airport itself, airlines, control towers, aircraft service, and maintenance companies, FBO. All those companies linked to the above act as suppliers or customers and serve to maintain or expand the service offerings currently provided.

 

This term of airport management has always existed, although in recent years and as a result of the technological transformation that has been implemented in these sectors. Today it has become an important source of data that is in continuous analysis and that allows for increasing airport profitability.

 

This is thanks to the implementation of administrative and specialized software that allows managing detailed information about flights, airlines, passengers and even concessions, contracts, calculations, and tax payments, which allows keeping the information centralized and digitized.

 

An excellent example of this type of software is the AIMS suite from GP Nauticals. Which has several products that by themselves efficiently solve a particular niche in the aviation industry, and can be easily integrated with the systems that any airport uses today. Also can be purchased as a whole and obtain a robust management system that collects, processes and analyzes data that are valuable when making decisions that affect the operation of the airport.

 

If you want to learn more about the products offered by GP Nauticals, you can do so by visiting their website https://gpnauticals.com/ where you can see in detail what they offer or contact a specialist.

 

High-tech airport checkpoints

The Transportation Security Administration, better known as TSA, has focused its efforts in recent decades on the implementation of new technological tools.

That allows airports to have safer and more efficient passenger checkpoints, incorporating innovations such as: digital identification, facial recognition, and even computerized tomography.

For this reason, in today’s article, we will inform you about the latest innovations in airport checkpoint systems that have been introduced in the sector.

Computerized tomography for baggage scanning

These machines were created for medical purposes. They are now being used in the airport industry as a security device.

Providing rotating, color-coded, and three-dimensional images of all baggage entering the facilities.

All are supported by new computer programs with automatic learning that allow checkpoints to study the contents of a suitcase more quickly and accurately.

High Definition Body Scanning

High-definition imaging technology (HD-AIT) systems are currently under development to enhance existing body scanning devices.

Which would allow for a detailed view of each passenger without them having to hold their arms above their head, remove their shoes or coats.

These devices are designed to detect a greater number of prohibited items, thus reducing inspections and making passenger scanning more efficient.

Facial recognition technology

Facial recognition technology is currently tested at several international airports, to verify the identity of passengers passing through their facilities.

New stations known as “Innovation Checkpoint” will be installed at airports for the use of this type of technology. Where identification software compares a photo taken at the checkpoint with the identification presented by the passenger.

Checkpoints

Manual passenger verification is a thing of the past. Passenger check-in and boarding list audits are being handled by software. That allows real-time measurement of passenger traffic, whether in the immigration area or for control in the boarding area.

This type of technology allows for the early completion of passenger lists, verification of flight occupancy, and even calculation and verification of airport taxes.

They don’t require major investment by airports since they can be integrated with the systems currently used, such as the software known as PAX AIMS, developed by the company GP Nauticals.

Automatic processes and Artificial Intelligence

Nowadays, talking about Artificial Intelligence is more common than it seems. However, for many, implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence can be a challenge. 

Indeed, the use of Artificial Intelligence today is imminent. The process of automation and the new era of industrialization does not seem to stop, and the facts speak for themselves. 

For example, the airport sector makes use of artificial intelligence in aircraft, thanks to various systems that allow increasing the level of flight safety thanks to the management of an artificial vision. 

Another example of the use of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence is Check-in processes or systems to avoid long lines and crowds. Bots that answer messages are another of the many examples seen today in large airports worldwide.  

Artificial Intelligence to avoid large processes 

At the logistics level, artificial intelligence is a convenient ally for data collection, management, and security of the information provided. 

Despite the above, the application and uses of Big Data in the logistics field are still a bit precarious, because many fear the ‘security’ that the technology can provide. In addition to the high costs, new departments, and levels of difficulty that could come along the way. 

Another of the great fears about the implementation of Artificial Intelligence is based on the fact that the technology could completely supplant human capital. However, this is not feasible, since human capital is needed to help manage and optimize the various technological fields and resources. 

Undoubtedly, the implementation of artificial intelligence in the logistics field will be effective in simplifying and mitigating errors. It allows us to reduce cumbersome processes and bring them to automation, allowing us to optimize time and costs. 

A good strategy will be profitable and effective to improve processes at all levels. In the case of our SUITE, automated software allows us to carry out strategies to take a step forward to the imminent digitization that everyone talks about, but does not know how to implement. 

GP NAUTICALS and automated processes

In the case of GP NAUTICALS SUITE products, they are able to automatically manage the collection and invoicing processes at airports and seaports. Thanks to the PAY AIMS product, which manages to adapt to the company’s standards and requirements. 

In addition, thanks to AERO AIMS, airport logistics processes such as boarding gates, permits, flights, and more, will benefit from the optimization of processes. With AERO AIMS you will be able to obtain an analysis of the airport’s administrative operation. 

At the same time, it is worth mentioning that the AIMS SUITE products are integrated to achieve better control strategies and manageability of operations. 

FBO, innovative airport services

A Fixed Base Operator or FBO, as it is commonly known, is a company that may or may not operate independently from state airports and its main function is to offer services related to air transportation.

These operators operate through concessions and among the variety of services they can offer are aircraft rental, hangar, fuel, parking, and even the necessary comfort services to ensure the best possible welfare, both while waiting for a flight and in the air.

Most of the FBOs operate in airports with high to moderate traffic and are intended to serve the private commercial aviation sector. This industry has been growing in recent years, despite the pandemic, and represents a great opportunity for modernization.

Now, when we talk about modernization, we are not only referring to the luxurious facilities offered to their customers, but rather to the technological innovations that can allow operators to better manage resources, such as managing payments, controlling documentation, inspecting passenger traffic, and even managing fuel sales. 

To achieve these objectives, the ideal is to have state-of-the-art programs and applications that allow integration, secure data management, connection to the cloud to generate reports and histories in real-time, and, most importantly, information analysis for decision making, improvements, and optimization of resources.

Although the implementation of this type of tool implies an investment of time and money, both in personnel training and equipment, the main idea is to reduce operating costs in the short term, as well as to centralize information and avoid human error as much as possible. 

When we talk about technological products for the aeronautical sector, we do not find a great variety of options, although the market has been increasing since the technological transformation is imminent. However, there are very complete products such as those of the AIMS Suite, belonging to the company GP Nauticals, which has a diversity of systems that used individually can help complement a specific service or be used together to provide innovative operational and financial management. 

In the specific case of FBOs, the main product that this GP Nauticals Suite can offer would be Aero AIMS, intended to centralize the financial management of airport facilities. Pay AIMS, a payment platform that facilitates the invoicing, collection, and follow-up of your customers’ financial obligations. And finally, Fuel AIMS, allows you to guarantee fuel service and reduce processing times by connecting suppliers, merchants, and customers on one platform.

Best of all, it is a low investment cost option, efficient, and requires minimal training for its use as it is very user-friendly and dynamic.

If you want to learn more about these products and services, we invite you to visit the website https://gpnauticals.com or contact some of their advisors to get detailed information about the advantages of working with them.

 

Advantages of having a good Port Community System

Most port communities are made up of multiple stakeholders, both public and private, which makes it difficult for IT to penetrate, as each institution approaches its logistics differently and resistance to change makes it an industry very fragmented.

For this reason, today we will talk about the advantages of having a good Port Community System.

  1. A good Port Community System (PSC) allows the simplification, standardization, and acceleration of the exchange of information between all the participants in the logistics chain (PCL). This results in greater efficiency in the processes and interaction between PCLs since it facilitates how all port processes are authorized, controlled, supervised, and verified.
  2. Greater processing speed for a large volume of information. We already know that every port terminal handles large amounts of data, whether it is a cargo or passenger port. Data processing and a good Port Community System are important since they facilitate real-time analysis of information. Which allows optimization of decision-making, as well as saving time and money, which favor logistics and transport chains.
  3. PCS must offer an open and neutral electronic platform that allows a secure exchange of information between the parties involved. In addition, to facilitate the automation of logistics processes. Minimize the human error of transcribing information over and over again and reduce the use of paper by having everything digitized on a single platform.
  4. Another advantage of a Port Community System is cooperation for innovation. Carrying out innovations individually does not guarantee their success. The idea is to create a joint strategy as a large virtual company and bet on innovations that influence each member of the logistics chain; In this way, the economic impact of innovation is reduced and more processes are covered.
  5. One of the most important advantages that the implementation of a good Port Community System represents is that it can be integrated with the systems that are currently used, which helps to work on resistance to change by not having to jump from one system old-fashioned to an innovative one from one day to the next.

PCS can help to address the major deficiencies that the port sector is currently showing, such as the AIMS Suite software belonging to the GP Nauticals company, which offers various platforms for the automation of air, maritime, port, and land that benefit a large number of agents in their processes without the need to make million-dollar investments.

If you want to know more details about this specialized software, you can enter the products section of our website (https://gpnauticals.com/products/), where you will find more information and contact a specialist who can answer any questions that may arise.

 

Challenges of maritime transport in 2022

For this year, the maritime sector is expected to face great challenges and, there are currently many determining issues on the table.

In the first place, the most talked-about issue refers to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Since the maritime industry is constantly researching and developing new fuels based on methanol, hydrogen, or ammonia and that can help the sector to meet its goal to reach zero emissions by 2050.

But, a very urgent issue is the digital transformation of the maritime sector and that must cover all areas: ships, shipping companies, terminals, ports, interfaces, and everything that can interfere with the transport chain.

On this particular point, we can assess some of the challenges the industry is currently facing and how it could minimize the crisis.

Today and as a result of 2 years of the pandemic, the supply chain is at risk and has revealed a very explicit motto “No shipping, no shopping” referring to the fact that if there are no ships transporting cargo, there is no trade and as consequently there will be no consumption.

 All this is a way to draw attention to the precarious life in the sea that is not consistent with the technological alternatives already used worldwide.

Interconnection, transparency in management, and new communications technologies can mark a before and after in the industry since the implementation of new cutting-edge tools facilitates the correct planning and execution in each step of the process and also offers advantages in terms of the economic recovery of the maritime sector.

To achieve these advances, software such as the AIMS Suite belonging to the GP Nauticals company can be implemented, which through different technologies can help not only in the automation of processes with its NAUTIC AIMS product, which allows all maritime services subject to taxable calculations. In addition to helping to manage contracts, concessions, commissions, providing the opportunity to involve billing, generation of reports and analysis of results, categorized as needed and always in real-time.

This type of software can be used by itself integrating with existing platforms or in conjunction with other AIMS Suite products that offer a more complete experience such as PAY AIMS which offers the opportunity to carry out a portfolio collection with a billing platform and gateway. reliable payment system with record history and 24/7 support.

The revolution in the maritime sector is just around the corner, all the factors involved cry out for more efficient processes, taking into account that trade is a key factor in all the economies of the world, we have committed ourselves to not being an industry that lags behind the rest.

If you want to know more about our products, click on:

Technological evolution at airports

We all wait for the future to come, yet we live in it. During of the pandemic, we were to observe that transformations at the technological level are irreversible. The impact of technological progress has given rise to new opportunities for change and what seemed distant is now part of our daily environment.

Although the airport sector was one of the most affected, new opportunities for transformation and growth have been generated. 

Technological innovations have been the protagonists that have emerged along the way to safeguard the health of passengers, being a fundamental resource for the end of travel restrictions around the world.

It’s expected that over the next few years, airports will adopt new technological forms to adapt to the behavior of users. Given the evolution, they have experienced this in recent times.

We are talking about new forms of entertainment, administrative invoicing, sanitary requirements, concessions to stores, franchises, and more… It is a time when paper processes will be left aside to make way for digital and automated processes.

Given the new challenges that the airport sector may face, omnichannel sales will be the main protagonists in a few years. The physical space will remain to strengthen the experience, but the purchase processes will be automatic.

According to a study carried out by the company Bain & Company, it shows that “omnichannel customers spend twice as much as customers of physical stores and have a satisfaction index twice as high”.

About the above, you may ask yourself: What does it have to do with strengthening the airport sector?

For airport administrators and executives, it becomes an advantage to obtain non-confidential information from users. This is to automate the boarding processes, registrations, delays, entries, and exits, all in one place.

Although physical establishments will not disappear, these will be the strengthening vehicle to improve passenger experiences, and if you add the window of automated processes, that experience will be more enriching. That is why airports will need to work on their focus on improving budgets for digital enhancements.

A palpable example is the GP Nauticals suite that manages to integrate various automated services, which are adjusted to the digital transformation needs of the airport and nautical sector.

With a tool like AERO AIMS, through its management module for monitoring and recording the sales of your commercial dealers (stores), you can evaluate the performance of each one, as well as the type of item it is.

Of more interest to passengers in transit through each terminal, which allows the institution to reinforce commercial and marketing strategies that support its clients.

Additionally, the PAX AIMS service allows the audit of passengers that can be found in the airport facilities. To improve the processes of boarding and passenger control, as well as compliance with the health requirements to which they may be subject.

All this through checkpoints that allow boarding passes to be scanned, speed up validations for duty-free purchases, and in one way or another allow dealers to validate boarding lists automatically and accurately.

It can also be integrated with the other SUITE services that will support you in digital transformation.

 

If you want to know more about our services, do not hesitate to contact us: GP Nauticals.