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POSITIONING PAPER

HELPING AIRLINES REAP THE BENEFITS OF EFB TECHNOLOGY

POSITIONING PAPER

BENEFITS of EFB TECHNOLOGY

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POSITIONING PAPER | © SITA 2012

CONTENTSExecutive Summary 4

EFB Systems: Transformational Force for Our Industry 5

EFB Challenges 6

SITA’s Portfolio of EFB Solutions 7

EFB System Connectivity 7

e-Aircraft Connectivity Solutions for Avionics EFB Systems 7

AIRCOMConnect Service for In-flight to Ground Messaging 9

Mobile Connectivity Service for Autonomous EFB Systems 10

Wireless@Airports Service 12

e-Aircraft Application Services 13

FlightmanTM EFB Solution Overview 15

Mobile Solutions for Cabin Crew 16

Electronic Flight Bag – the Turnkey Solution with SITA’s CDN Service 17

Notes and references 19

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYAre you making the best of your investment in Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) technology? EFB systems, and more generally speaking, aircraft IT are changing the nature of flight, cabin, and maintenance operations. The drivers for airline adoption are many and diverse. The single most significant challenges, after making the business case and adapting EFB technology to the airline’s business processes, are how to manage the content and the configuration to fully support operations and getting approval to use this technology. A successful EFB program depends on keeping your applications, stored information, and configurations up-to-date and relevant. Connectivity is key and so is selecting the most efficient way of establishing, managing and using it.

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At first glance, the reasons why almost all airlines are considering and implementing EFB systems across their fleets vary but the underlying driver is unmistakable: to increase productivity and operational efficiency. EFB systems are becoming a key tool for modernizing flight, cabin and maintenance operations. The reasons for an EFB system range from the elimination of low-value, labor-intensive processes (such as updating manuals and navigation charts) to optimizing crew duty-time (through onboard flight briefings) to improving the availability of time-sensitive and operationally important information (like weather forecasts and defect logs).

It is fair to say that EFB technology does for the aircraft what the PC has done for our everyday lives. Just as an isolated PC offers only a fraction of the power of one connected to a network, connected EFB systems support common information processes across different aircraft environments to increase potential efficiency gains. The EFB system needs to remain connected to maximize business benefits, so after optimizing your processes using this technology, managing connectivity is the next greatest challenge. Connecting the aircraft environment to the back office is critical. As the number of EFB devices in a fleet grows and as applications become more sophisticated, airlines will have to manage increased complexity, across an integrated communications network.

5POSITIONING PAPER | © SITA 2012

EFB SYSTEMS: TRANSFORMATIONAL FORCE FOR OUR INDUSTRY

Airlines implementing or considering EFB systems face many challenges depending on their class of hardware: class 1 tablets (carry-on), class 2 (cockpit mounted), and class 3 (installed equipment).

Among the challenges:

• Making the business case for the introduction of this new technology

• People change management to re-engineer and re-align business processes to maximize system benefits

• Reducing differences in operational procedures across fleets due to different EFB classes and implementations

• Selecting appropriate EFB system components (hardware, aircraft and ground applications, connectivity services)

• Installing, certifying and maintaining EFB systems and their software

• Managing the configuration and multi-source content of EFB systems and supporting the use and integration of the hardware itself in an unforgiving operational context

• Securing and protecting the EFB systems, their associated ground systems and their data and mitigating any potential impact on the safety of flight

• Automating and simplifying the exchange of EFB data with ground systems on a timely basis and in accordance with the airline’s business rules

• Monitoring EFB connectivity to ensure the most suitable and efficient communication means for each type of implementation

All these challenges must be tackled to maximize the operational, economic and safety benefits of an EFB program. SITA can help in most cases. We have launched a new suite entitled ‘e-Aircraft Services’ and we are building upon our extensive communications services portfolio by offering solutions that empower an airline’s EFB program. If you don’t have an existing EFB system, we can offer a fully integrated solution. This solution leverages the combined experience of our aeronautical IT, aircraft operations, aircraft communications, mobile computing and Flightman™ our EFB software platform partner.

EFB CHALLENGES

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SITA’s EFB solution is divided into three distinct offerings. The first, E-Aircraft Connectivity Services, provides connectivity across all classes of EFB devices1. The second offering, e-Aircraft Application Services, embodies a fully integrated aircraft IT solution for optimizing flight, cabin,maintenance operations and content delivery services. This offering is based on the Flightman™2 software framework. It comprises aircraft applications, EFB Integrator which is a suite of ground-based applications acting as the gate to the airline back-office systems and hosting services in a high-availability environment and professional services. The third offering, Professional Services, addresses project implementation elements such software application configuration and customization, third-party and airline-proprietary application integration, support for airline operational approval with local regulatory agencies, and business process re-engineering needs.

EFB SYSTEM CONNECTIVITYUntil this point, no distinction has been made between different classes of EFB implementations. However, a meaningful discussion of the various connectivity options requires separate treatment of EFB systems that connect independently (autonomously) to the ground network3 versus those that communicate via avionic systems4. For the sake of simplicity, the former will be referred to generically as ‘Autonomous’ EFBs while the latter will be referred to as ‘Avionics’ EFBs. These connectivity distinctions are not directly related to a given class of EFB system nor are they mutually exclusive since some EFB systems may offer both autonomous and avionics-based options.

Autonomous EFB systems can only be connected while they are on the ground which SITA offers through our Mobile Data Access product5 and Wireless@Airports6 for pilot-attached EFB devices (described later).

Since Avionics EFBs are considered aircraft systems their interactions with ground and onboard systems follow strict aircraft design certification and aeronautical standards. These standards do not apply to their autonomous counterparts which are typically commercial-off-the- shelf devices. SITA addresses the connectivity needs of Avionics EFB systems on the ground and in-flight with our e-Aircraft Connectivity Services. This solution comprises the e-Aircraft AirportLink Wi-Fi6 and the e-Aircraft SatelliteLink products both of which are part of the larger e-Aircraft suite of cockpit IT integration services.

E-AIRCRAFT CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS FOR AVIONICS EFB SYSTEMS Today aircraft send cockpit data in-flight to ground networks using the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) as well as IP-based satellite sub-networks. ACARs has been successful in helping reduce pilot use of voice radio for airline operations by a factor of ten, but it can only transport short messages. While it has and will continue to serve the industry well, the new generation of aircraft IT systems (including EFBs) generating ever growing data volumes and hosting increasingly critical applications, take aircraft communications to a whole new level, and require the use of higher capacity IP-based aircraft and ground links.

The many advantages of new generation systems might suggest a strong and steady migration away from ACARS towards IP but in reality these two environments will coexist for many years to come. This is because even if the underlying objectives of ACARS and IP-based communication are similar, the way in which these services are provided is vastly different.

Figure 1 – Aircraft Cockpit Communications Evolution

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VHF

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SITA’S PORTFOLIO OF EFB SOLUTIONS


SITA, as the leading global provider of aircraft datalink services, is helping airlines make the transition to new generation communication systems through a purpose-built platform that complements ACARS and provides a migration path for new and future aircraft communication needs. SITA’s e-Aircraft Connectivity Services:

• Transparently integrates new generation aircraft (NGA) cockpit IT systems with airlines’ ground IT infrastructure, manages connectivity to all aircraft, and provides seamless links to authorized third parties – all within a flexible and secure environment adaptable to airline demands.

• Matches the best features of ACARS and provides a platform to exploit advanced functionality and applications of EFBs. Integrating IT systems into an airline’s ground IP network, makes the open IP world a safe place for aircraft to communicate.

• Integrates intelligent network technology to optimize the use of available aircraft, ground links and infrastructure.

Figure 2 – Aircraft Network Overview

The following e-Aircraft Connectivity Services7 products manage EFB connectivity.

e-Aircraft AirportLink is used to transfer large volumes of less time-critical data during aircraft turnarounds and layovers. e-Aircraft AirportLink offers airport terminal connectivity using commercial wireless technologies (such as cellular mobile like General Packet Radio Service ((GPRS) and 3G, Wi-Fi and WiMAX) adapted to support aircraft communications. The first wave of e-Aircraft AirportLink is a private Wi-Fi based service which has been successfully trialed and launched in 2012. It is available at a growing number of major global international airports for new generation aircraft such as A380, B787, B777, B747-8, or A350 and those that are retrofitted with IP broadband capable avionic.

e-Aircraft SatelliteLink is in development and is being designed to provide satellite-based broadband communications for all phases of flight. e-Aircraft SatelliteLink SwiftBroadband will provide 100 more times capacity than the classic Inmarsat satellite link currently used for ACARS. It is primarily intended to exchange large volumes of in-flight data which would not be cost effectively transmitted over ACARS, or which is deemed too critical or time-sensitive to be delayed until the aircraft is on the ground.

e-Aircraft SatelliteLink e-Aircraft SatelliteLinkWi-Fi/WiMax/Cellar

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Airline 1

e-Aircraft Portal

e-Aircraft CustomerLink Manager

e-Aircraft CustomerLink Manager

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Airline 1(Applications/MRO/EFB)

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AIRCOMCONNECT SERVICE FOR IN-FLIGHT TO GROUND MESSAGING The volume of data transmitted over ACARS is increasing, notably on new generation aircraft (NGA). Although availability of new IP-based communication systems provides additional air-to-ground communication paths, ACARS will continue to be used for Aeronautical Operational Control (AOC) message transmission. In addition, many airlines implementing EFB programs would like to benefit from existing communication systems for time-critical transactional messaging while in-flight such as weather updates or when IP communication links are not available or too expensive to be installed. It is foreseen that more than fifteen percent of the messages currently handled by AOC applications could be moved to the EFB system, in addition to new applications to make use of existing infrastructure.

The AIRCOMConnect aircraft application, developed in accordance with the requirements for RTCA DO-178B level E software, enables EFB connectivity (AOC and Airline Administrative Control (AAC)) for transactional messaging. AIRCOMConnect is the generic solution to allow aircraft EFB system to ground messaging.

Its objective is to enable any kind of communication link to be used by the EFB system. It is therefore a key application for communication cost optimization.

AIRCOMConnect offers three complimentary capabilities based on the license key purchased by the airline customer:

• AEEC 619 ‘ACARS Protocols for Avionic End Systems’

• Media Independent Aircraft Messaging (MIAM) over ACARS Sub-network

• MIAM over Broadband IP Sub-networks

The application integrates with any AEEC 834 Aircraft Data Interface Function (ADIF) EFB hardware device and operates under the Microsoft XP or the Microsoft Windows 7 operation system.

Most immediate use for such technology would be the exchange of technical log book data and the update of weather information while in-flight.

Figure 3 – e-Aircraft Connectivity Solution with ACARS

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Figure 4 – e-Aircraft Connectivity Solution with Ground System

MOBILE CONNECTIVITY SERVICE FOR AUTONOMOUS EFB SYSTEMS In addition to offering e-Aircraft Connectivity Services for Avionics EFBs, SITA offers a communications solution for Autonomous EFBs while on the ground. This is through our Mobile Data Access service, a global cellular service, and Wireless @ Airports that may be used for flight-crew-attached devices while in the airport environment. These services allow for the global usage of the EFB system on and off the aircraft.

Mobile Data Access

Mobile Data Access (MDA) is a high quality 2G/3G data connectivity solution, which provides the following benefits:

• Premium steering to the strongest network, even in the home country

• Global data network coverage to over 180 countries, representing more than 98% of passenger traffic

• 400 international roaming agreements, with a minimum of 2 roaming partners in almost all addressed countries

Security is provided via a private Access Point Name (APN) code enabling secured service connectivity and is supported with the latest Multiprotocol Label Switching ((MPLS) solution architecture:

• A dedicated and secure APN is created for each customer, following a naming convention based on international ICAO reference

• Completely managed and secured intranet configuration with end-to-end service and responsibility. The architecture provides dedicated and back-up links between devices and hosts. Internet connectivity can also be provided.

By leveraging a world-class global roaming network and utilizing a high availability infrastructure with a ruggedized Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), the MDA solution provides its users with the optimum mobile connectivity solution, enabling increased and reliable usage. Leveraging one unique SIM card provides all individual global connectivity requirements making the administration of MDA is easier than other connectivity solutions, which can require the frequent changing of multiple SIM cards. Global administration, provisioning and configuration of SIM cards are simplified via a centralized SIM administration portal and greatly decrease maintenance costs.

AIRCOM SERVER

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Typically, airlines are faced with the following challenges when procuring mobile data services:

• The local domestic mobile provider does not have the volume to secure attractive rates at roaming destinations – so the airline pays high mobile data charges while away from the home country (international roaming)

• The airline does not have visibility of its data usage, so there is a high risk of paying for (expensive) unused data

• As airlines often don’t know what they use or need , they often go over their data plan and pay a per MByte charge which is expensive

• To get good deals on pricing, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards and data must be forecasted in advance. This is difficult to do when you have no data on which to base an estimate

• Performances of the local Mobile Radio Access networks – coverage, availability - does not meet ATI standards for business critical applications such as EFB which results in increased turnaround delay

• Standard network infrastructures are not designed to meet Airlines expectations and this flaw can result in security breaches and possible loss of highly sensitive and critical data.

Figure 5 – Combining MDA and W @ A Offers Significant Advantages for Autonomous EFBs

Benefits of Mobile Data Access include:

• Least-cost routing capability: The ability to determine which supplier will be selected on a per country basis means accurate cost predictions. This allows fixed monthly charges to customers, including all roaming activity.

• Data bucket: By providing an aggregated data allowance that can be shared among our customer pool of SIMs, provides maximum flexibility. This is not possible with traditional mobile data plans that propose a subscription-based charge per SIM.

• Improved control: The service has the ability to monitor the data consumed by any SIM. Users can suspend or deactivate the SIMs that do not comply with customer-defined policies.

• Reporting: The service will provide data formatted so that customers can import it to existing back-office systems for reporting an analysis. A web-based dashboard will also be provided.

• Integration: Seamless integration with existing SITA fault management, ordering and billing processes. This removes the cost of integrating another supplier into the customer’s business processes.

• Economies of scale: As SITA brings more and more ATI customers on to its mobile data platform, the higher volume will let SITA customers benefit from lower unit costs.


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e-Aircraft SatelliteLinkWi-Fi/WiMax/Cellar

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WIRELESS@ AIRPORTS SERVICEWireless@Airports (W@A) offers end-to-end connectivity from airport wireless networks using Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11 B/G/N) to an airline’s private network. SITA, through its AirportHub Wireless program, contracts with each airport’s local wireless network operators, negotiates access to their infrastructure and manages the administration details. This integration becomes transparent to airlines, as each new deployed airport becomes available without any infrastructure modification at the airline premises. Consequently SITA can propose to airlines a unique contractual framework hiding the diversity of Wi-Fi provider commercial models. In getting global access to the already-deployed SITA Wi-Fi locations, airlines save significant costs and improve their time-to-market.

With Wireless@Airports airlines benefit from a professional-grade business infrastructure aligned with the level of quality and flexibility required to meet their needs. For airlines who want to deploy wireless services in multiple airports, using W@A greatly simplifies operations and processes. Wi-Fi services from airports or integrators such as Boingo and Orange are typically built around providing services to areas with high density non-professional and non-critical Wi-Fi users. The internet is used as a backhaul network to the VPN. Such characteristics are not aligned with the critical business needs of most SITA customers. EFB systems have high-end requirements in term of security and performances. Key flight-related data cannot be mixed with consumer information. SITA addresses this by building a security layer with a firewall on top of the Wi-Fi radio access network to connect to the VPN network. Since the infrastructure is built once for all, costs are shared across customers which results in set-up cost reductions.

Airlines can face a range of challenges that prevent global Wi-Fi usage outside the airline hub location, these include:

• Negotiating Wi-Fi contracts in all destinations requires significant administrative time. This increases the Total Cost of Ownership and can result in delays of up to 12-18 months.

• Building a secure and reliable infrastructure behind the Wi-Fi radio access of the airports requires solving technical issues.

• Difficulty in negotiating cost-effective commercial conditions in locations with little traffic or in small airports.

• Using the same SSID as residential users and passengers may cause performance and security issues.

Benefits of Wireless@Airports include:

• Cost effective: Shared setup and operation costs.

• Easy and quick setup: Airlines save time and energy when opening new routes in airports that already using Wi-Fi.

• Security and reliability: A dedicated SSID and connection to SITA VPN network.

• One-stop shop for 3G and Wi-Fi: This facilitates commercial management as well as technical operations since these solutions are designed to work with one another.

The combination of SITA MDA for 3G as well as SITA Wireless

Airports for Wi-Fi brings an ideal and unique solution for airlines looking to address their EFB system connectivity requirements. The distinctive advantages are listed in the diagram below.


E-AIRCRAFT APPLICATION SERVICES Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) and other advanced aircraft IT platforms reduce paper-based processes, their related operational costs and pilot workload. They support safe operations by reducing human errors and improve service to customers by minimizing disruptions while significantly reducing the workload of flight crew and ground staff. But EFB hardware alone is of limited use. The real value comes from integrating EFB systems seamlessly to the airline’s central systems and adapting the applications to the airline’s variety of business processes.

e-Aircraft Application Services helps a range of departments across an airline reduce business costs, improve customer satisfaction, automate workflow management and increase staff flexibility. This is achieved by streamlining the processes all around the aircraft, seamlessly and securely connecting and integrating the aircraft with the airline’s existing IT infrastructure. EFB Integrator ensures that airlines have a robust system that integrates throughout the airline and with various IT systems to enhance productivity, reduce waste and have a platform in place for future growth.

e-Aircraft Application Services simplifies the connectivity challenge by ensuring secure data delivery across multiple channels – communication links on the ground at airports (over generic wireless technologies) and in-flight – as used by each airline. If required by the airline, it can also leverage use of SITA’s existing ACARS infrastructure, which is used by more than 12,000 aircraft around the world. SITA’s service is also quickly configured to adapt to each airline’s existing business processes and future operational needs.

Both SITA and our EFB technology partner, Flightman™, have leveraged our joint experience in delivering IT solutions to develop e-Aircraft Application Services. This solution is designed to help airlines reap the benefits of EFB technology while minimizing the challenge of transitioning from legacy to NGA.

Benefits of e-Aircraft Application Services include:

Ease of Integration:

• Reduces the pain of integrating EFB technology with airline systems by using SITA’s library of IT system connectors

• Seamlessly blends narrowband (ACARS) and broadband (Internet Protocol (IP)) air-to-ground communications to improve aircraft operations and fleet management

• Supports integration between aircraft applications (airline proprietary as well as third-party)

• The EFB Integrator component manages all hardware: class 1 tablets (carry-on), class 2 (cockpit mounted), and class 3 (installed equipment)

Proven solution that adapts to airline unique operational requirements:

• Solution is configurable to each airline’s unique operational requirements and can be combined with SITA’s e-Aircraft Communication Services and Mobility portfolios

• Customizable to any aircraft and unifies mixed fleet by providing a standard user interface

• Flightman™ is one of the most complete EFB application suites in the market today and is already in operational use with a variety of airlines

Professional delivery and operations management:

• SITA’s project delivery team reduces the risk for the airline by managing an implementation that can include multiple vendors, hardware, software and communications, contributing to a fully-integrated solution and professionally managed from start to finish

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Figure 6 - SITA’s e-Aircraft Application Services

Main features of e-Aircraft Application Services include:

Aircraft Applications:

• Resale of the FlightmanTM aircraft application suite which is tightly integrated with SITA’s EFB Integrator

• SITA’s AIRCOMConnect, a unique-to-market application that enables EFB system connectivity for messaging over ACARS and IP-based sub-networks

EFB Integrator, a suite of ground-based applications:

• FlightmanTM Ground Server

• Integration Broker enables the processing and distribution of EFB and cabin related data with airline IT systems by configuration of SITA provided connectors

• EFB content cache servers used for pre-positioning large volumes of content at airport and airline designated locations

Hosting services of the EFB Integrator:

• High-availability environment

• 24x7 service management provided by SITA’s global operations team

Professional Services:

Offer managed workshops that help airlines to:

• Understand how the EFB system can complement ACARS technology with an optimal, uniform set of processes for future airline operations

• Understand what changes need to happen to implement those processes

• Define the proper sequencing of EFB system deployment and operational impact in terms of business benefits, change requirements and training

• Build their business case

Project implementation services, including:

• Solution verification and validation both at SITA and on the airline’s premises

• Support for airline operational approval with local regulatory agencies

• Third-party and airline-proprietary application integration

M a n a g e m e n t R e p o r t i n g & B u s i n e s s

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EFB INTEG RATOR

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C o n n e c t i v i t y : M o b i l e D a t a

S e r v i c e s ( 3 G ) o r e - A i r c r a f t C o n n e c t i v i t y

S I T A N e t w o r k / I n t e r n e t

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M R O

O t h e r a i r l i n e b a c k - o f f i c e s e r v e r s

Back End Integration


FLIGHTMAN™ EFB SOLUTION OVERVIEWFlightman™ offers a robust and complete airline solution, comprising an integrated set of EFB and cabin crew applications. The solution allows for rapid customization to airline business requirements and deployment with the benefits of a framework technology adopted by industry leading companies.

The Flightman™ Applications Suite is an integrated set of Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) products which together offer a robust and complete airline solution. Flightman™ provides the following underlying features to support all of the applications to enable each aircraft to act as a connected node in a fully integrated network:

• Workflow based user interface

• Full 2-way message-based synchronization

• Integration link to existing airline systems such as the document management system

• Communications management

Figure 7: Flightman™ Cabin Defect Log on iPAD

The Flightman™ Applications Suite delivers a hardware-independent EFB solution providing the following configurable applications:

• Application Manager

• Large Content Manager (providing capability for remote distribution and management of substantial content such as aircraft manuals, charts, databases to the EFBs)

• eJourney Log

• Electronic Flight Folder, displaying an iconic representation of airline flight briefing components (Flight Plan, Weather, NOTAMS, Waypoints, ETOPS, Alternate Airport Summary)

• eTech Log (with separate flight crew, cabin crew and maintenance user versions)

• Weight and Balance

• Performance calculations for takeoff and landing using the airframe manufacturer’s Standard Computerized Airplane Performance (SCAP) module as well as the airport obstacle database as obtained by the airline from their third-party provider

• On-board Document Viewer

• Cabin Surveillance

• Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) Data Management

• Passenger Relationship Management and other upcoming cabin crew applications

• Forms Designer

• Business Intelligence Tool

• Integration with Third-Party Chart, Weather and Document Viewers

Central Ground Management

The Flightman™ Ground Server allows the complete management of the network of EFB systems. All EFB data can be centrally managed. The system administrator can deploy configuration and content updates universally or individually to the network, saving time and ensuring accuracy. Updates can be tracked visually using simple customizable graphical displays, and in common with the data hosted in the Flightman™ Ground Server. This allows comprehensive business intelligence reports to be extracted, giving airlines near real-time access to a rich source of operational information.

uite delivers a hardware-

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Based on defined communications policies, the onboard Flightman™ Client establishes a connection to the Flightman™ Ground Server and transfers data on and off the aircraft. This data transfer can happen over various communications media (described in the Data Transfer section below). Flightman™ manages these various channels and the data sent over them. The Flightman™ synchronization protocol deployed between the aircraft and the Flightman™ Ground Server ensures that the aircraft always operates off the latest data published for the particular aircraft tail number.

Once the data is on the Flightman™ Gound Server it is then available to authorized personnel through a web based reporting and administration tool. Using industry standards, such as XML and Web Services, the Flightman™ Ground Server can be integrated with existing ground systems both within the airline and third parties. To minimize changes to airline back-office systems, this interface to back-office systems is done through SITA’s EFB Integration Broker either hosted by SITA or deployed on the airline’s environment. This is a 2-way flow so data can be passed from the aircraft through the server into the back-end systems as well as uploaded onto the aircraft from the existing systems, completing the loop.

The modular nature of the Flightman™ Applications Suite allows for the incremental deployment of additional applications over time, allowing the solution to grow in line with airline requirements.

Data Transfer

Flightman™ manages the exchange of data between the aircraft and ground systems using the SITA connectivity options described earlier (e-Aircraft Connectivity and Mobile Data Service), third party connectivity options or via manual processes (e.g. using USB storage media). Flightman™ can be configured over any of the available options. For example, data from logbooks is small in size and can easily be sent in-flight over ACARS by using SITA’s AIRCOMConnect or cellular IP-link during turnaround using the SITA’s MDA. Large files, such as document and charting updates, would be expensive and time consuming to send over GSM and should therefore be assigned to high-bandwidth channels such as SITA’s e-Aircraft AirportLink Wi-Fi, if the aircraft is suitably equipped. Similarly,

if the aircraft has satellite-based in-flight communications capability, high value critical or time-sensitive data can also be sent en-route using e-Aircraft SatelliteLink SwiftBroadband.

To help airlines manage communication costs, multiple channels can be assigned to each data type. For example, when sending journey or technical log data, the system might first try to send the data over e-Aircraft AirportLink Wi-Fi before automatically attempting the transfer over the other assigned channels such as the MDA Service or e-Aircraft SatelliteLink SwiftBroadband.

MOBILE SOLUTIONS FOR CABIN CREWThe cabin is also moving from paper to digital. This is a reflection of the boom in technological innovation and the increasing use of connected devices. SITA is combining the strengths of its e-Aircraft services to new and complementary innovation emerging from SITA labs. This is for digitizing your cabin crew8 and offering a fully-integrated suite of aircraft IT solutions covering flight deck, cabin and maintenance operations. With SITA’s end-to-end Mobile Workforce solution, we can deliver all your mobile workforce technology – from devices to connectivity to applications.


ELECTRONIC FLIGHT BAG – THE TURNKEY SOLUTION WITH SITA’S CDN SERVICE Flightman™ allows for the integration of EFB systems with a ground based content management system, enabling the remote distribution and management of content to EFB systems. In addition, the system supports configuration management of data and software revisions to the EFB device. The content managed by Flightman™ can include aircraft manuals, charts, company documents and circulars, databases and anti-virus updates.

To complement the Large Content Manager function within Flightman™, SITA has developed a Content Delivery solution to improve the performance and behavior of specific rich content, by optimizing how it is managed across the wide area network (WAN). This is provided through SITA’s portfolio of optimization solutions which have the ability to meet critical success factors such as end user response time improvement, transfer time reduction and bandwidth optimization usage without compromising the integrity of the data.

The SITA Network and Application Performance portfolio harnesses a number of chosen leading suppliers in the WAN and internet optimization space together that can complement SITA’s connectivity as well as third party options. The idea is that they form fundamental building blocks that can be utilized to cater for any use cases, including EFB content distribution, and for any network types. Content will traverse the SITA managed ground and airborne networks bi-directionally, in a secure and optimized manner, leveraging the latest compression, acceleration and resource management techniques, and, most importantly, in line with airline business rules.

The secret of efficient content delivery is the use of content proxy servers and background delivery that leverages spare, idle, or available bandwidth. By continuously monitoring local computer resources (bandwidth, CPU, and memory) and automatically and dynamically throttling the content download, the content delivery mechanisms used by SITA over the WAN optimize bandwidth availability between competing applications. In addition, background delivery can internally compute complex algorithms relating to the speed and quality of the connection between the Content Management System and EFB end device. These calculations are used to gauge the overall LAN and/or WAN health, bandwidth availability, and other factors that must be considered when delivering content across the network.

SITA’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) proposition is a unique offer, combining SITA’s multi-user network infrastructure at airports, with advanced delivery mechanisms including background delivery and content proxies. SITA’s CDN solution will be deployed to support the Large Content Manager function within Flightman™ to ensure that airlines networked EFB systems are reachable and can be updated on demand.

Device Management

SITA has an established service for the provision of Managed Mobile Devices that can be scaled and tailored to meet the airline’s requirements for tablet devices.

To enable airlines to remain focused on their core business, the Managed Mobile Device service delivers the following:

• Full range of mobile devices suitable for an EFB solution benefiting SITA’s direct business relationship with Motorola Enterprise and Apple

– Tier 1 global agreement with the Motorola Enterprise solution

– Affiliation program with Apple (direct business and specific Apple resources)

• Global delivery mechanism

– Logistics and supply chain management; transportation from the factory to requested airline location – includes custom handling, taxation and regulatory administration

– Standard staging prior to shipment; hardware handling, DOA check, country specificities such as settings and power supply plugs

– Advanced staging: SIM card insertion, APN and IP set-up, software upload and testing

– Single delivery/ support team for combination of SITA products

• Managed Services Solution

– Solves customer pain points by managing the entire hardware life-cycle (repair process, break and fix, battery replacement and service contract renewal)

• Remote Device Management

Admin Mobility CoECLOUD

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•

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18

Figure 8 – Mobile Devices Management Introduce Software Management capability

The Connected Aircraft

SITA views aircraft IT and ‘connected aircraft’ technologies as one of the biggest catalysts to driving sustainable cost improvement in flight, cabin and maintenance operations. Connectivity is key to maximizing business benefits and integrating the aircraft environment to the airline back office.

SITA is committed to helping the air transport industry address the challenges of EFB adoption by developing solutions that are secure, well-integrated with airline systems and that make best use of both the airborne and ground-based communication infrastructure. SITA’s aim is to assure consistent global communications solutions for carriers’ chosen EFB systems over a wide area network, to allow data backhaul and synchronization, software upgrade and content distribution both in-bound and out-bound to the EFB.

Note 1 www.sita.aero/EFB Page 7

Note 2 www.flightman.com Page 7

Note 3 These are typically class 1 and class 2 EFB systems Page 7 which are not interfaced to aircraft communications equipment.

Note 4 These are typically class 3 EFB systems, but could Page 7 also include class 2 EFB systems interfaced to aircraft communication systems.

Note 5 http://www.sita.aero/product/mobile-data-access Page 7

Note 6 www.sita.aero/products-solutions/solutions/ Page 7 communications-airports

Note 7 www.sita.aero/product/e-aircraft-airportlink-wifi Page 7

Note 8 http://www.sita.aero/product/e-aircraft-airportlink-wifi Page 8

Note 9 www.sita.aero/content/mobile-solutions-cabin-crew Page 16

NOTES AND REFERENCES


For further information, please contact SITA by telephone or e-mail:

Americas+1 770 850 4500 [email protected]

Asia Pacific+65 6545 3711 [email protected]

Europe+41 22 747 6111 [email protected]

Middle East, India & Africa+961 1 637300 [email protected]

SITA AT A GLANCE

The air transport industry is the most dynamic and exciting community on earth – and SITA is its heart.

Our vision is to be the chosen technology partner of the industry, a position we will attain through flawless customer service and a unique portfolio of IT and communications solutions that covers the industry’s every need 24/7.

We are the innovators of the industry. Our experts and developers keep it fuelled with a constant stream of ground-breaking products and solutions. We are the ones who see the potential in the latest technology and put it to work.

Our customers include airlines, airports, GDSs and governments. We work with around 500 air transport industry members and 2,800 customers in over 200 countries and territories.

We are open, energetic and committed. We work in collaboration with our partners and customers to ensure we are always delivering the most effective, most efficient solutions.

We own and operate the world’s most extensive communications network. It’s the vital asset that keeps the global air transport industry connected.

We are 100% owned by the air transport industry – a unique status that enables us to understand and respond to its needs better than anyone.

Our annual IT surveys for airlines, airports and passenger self-service are industry-renowned and the only ones of their kind.

We sponsor .aero, the top-level internet domain reserved exclusively for aviation.

In 2011, we had consolidated revenues of US$1.517 billion (€1.09 billion).

For further information, please visit www.sita.aero

© SITA 12-THW-082-1 All trademarks acknowledged. Specifications subject to change without prior notice. This literature provides outline information only and (unless specifically agreed to the contrary by SITA in writing) is not part of any order or contract.

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