Digitalization and mobility mark the global differential of the T4 of Barajas with Panasonic Toughbook technology

Iberia, AENA and Panasonic Toughbook have presented at T4 Madrid-Barajas the digitalization and mobility project for airport management in all its phases, that make this airport the first hub in the world in which mobility is a transversal element in all the airline's processes.

T4 Madrid-Barajas has deployed transversal mobility and digitalization solutions for all ramp services, from the maintenance of the aircraft to the coordination of all the necessary work for the departure of the flights, fruit of the technological collaboration between Iberia, Aena and Panasonic Toughbook.

This new airport management plan is based on the use of mobile devices in all its phases, as part of the company's strategic plan – the Agora project- to increase efficiency, Punctuality and customer service, that make T4 the first hub in the world in which mobility is a transversal element of all airport management.

Dimitris Bountolos, Deputy Director of Coordination and Hub of Iberia, He assures that "this airport moves in a digital environment 24×7, with an identity similar to that of our customers of always being connected. That is why our processes have to adapt to this reality that, In our case, It is a real revolution in airport management and a milestone in this industry".

Real-time information and efficiency

In this sense, Iberia has developed the applications that are accessed from Panasonic Toughbook devices, Division specialized in rugged mobile device solutions for companies, that facilitate and improve the efficiency of all processes "with real-time information, speed of execution and decision-making", points out Bountolos.

Among these ramp service applications are aircraft maintenance; Refueling and overhaul of support equipment; Baggage handling (at the dock and at the loading/unloading of the flight); Coordination of all tasks for the departure of flights (load, catering,...) and thaw, with full traceability of all processes.

Thanks to the use of these mobile devices "employees will have real-time information on the entire operation., They will be able to anticipate possible incidents, improve the management of available resources and, above all, reduce the execution time of assigned tasks, with the consequent improvement in the quality of customer service", explains the director of Iberia.

Among the benefits of this transformation to mobility, Bountolos highlights efficiency in all processes carried out around the aircraft, with vital information in real time; improving punctuality and eliminating paper throughout the ramp operation (around 12,2 Tons).

Bountolos assures that "no other handling operator had deployed transversal mobility solutions for all ramp services to date".

Safety and high resistance

As Francesc Castro points out, Panasonic Toughbook country manager for Spain and Portugal, "This project has been a great challenge due to the complexity of the environment., with the development of technologies and applications that add value and that have placed Iberia and AENA as global pioneers in the implementation of mobility solutions throughout their management".

Among the requirements that this technological partner has met in its devices were maximum readability and vision on screens (full HD, with reinforced glass, Transflective and IPS Technology) and robustness of the equipment (IP65 protection certificate); Longer battery life; Ergonomics for use in the workplace (with adapted covers and accessories that allow employee mobility); barcode reading; 3G and WiFi connectivity and Android system, Windows,...

Panasonic Toughbook has supplied about two hundred CF-19 models (Rugged computers) and FZ-A1 (Tablets). Intelligent equipment management cabinets with RFID tags have also been arranged so that each device is available autonomously for its respective employee., who accesses it with their NFC chip card.

As far as security is concerned, in addition to the employee login, each device has three levels of encryption and GPS, with remote management from the control unit and deactivation if any anomaly is detected. All employees have received training courses and in a few months will be fully operational.

"The added value of this project," explains Bountolos- is the software, developed by Iberia's systems management and in collaboration with partners, with its own applications for each of the phases of airport management, that we are now evolving to mobility and that we will be able to move to other airports, as local business cases, studying every need".

Agora Project 3.0

The Agora project, with execution up to 2015 in collaboration with AENA, It is based on three backbones within the complex ecosystem of airport management: Increase punctuality, efficiency and speed of execution and excellence in the quality of customer service "to place Barajas T4 among the great hubs in the world", underlines Bountolos.

This transformation of Iberia's business "has employees as a driver of change and a key part of the project," emphasizes this manager., who have participated through all the divisions of Iberia in the campaign 'Putting your heart in T4' during the past year working transversally with the company and technology partners".

There are currently more than one hundred initiatives underway by Ágora to improve processes and customer service, like virtual agents; Screens to guide in billing and queue management displays; The new check-in kiosk app; the control of meal vouchers through PDA or crew monitoring also via PDA, Etc.

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