Inform GmbH

The GroundStar IT System

Airport operations and ground handling logistics consist of multiple, complex and intertwined processes which must be duly planned, synchronised and executed like the elements of a symphonic concert. IT systems have become a crucial factor to provide accurate service performance at competitive costs. The modular and integrated airport management system GroundStar, developed by INFORM, is key to meet the challenge of efficient operations.

History

INFORM’s airport systems were first installed at Frankfurt Airport about ten years ago. Since then, the INFORM software has evolved to address all processes in every area of an airport’s (ground) operation.

Projects

Today more than 40 customers at over 100 airports worldwide rely on GroundStar for efficient airport operations. Amongst them are airlines such as Air Canada, Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa; airports such as Frankfurt, the group of North Mexican Airports OMA and Sheremetyevo Airport; and handling agents such as GateGourmet, Swissport and DNATA.

The GroundStar System

Due to the long lead times in airport construction, the resource planning process begins years ahead of the day of operation, and it must be redone and maintained alongside an ever-changing environment. When the day of operation arrives, too frequent irregularities must be handled in such a way that negative effects on the overall service performance and on the cost of the operation are avoided or at least minimised, whilst looking after the safety and security of the operation.

GroundStar is structured in streamlined Core Processes, which cover the various phases of the on-going operation:

1. Airport Operational Database (AODB)

The homogenous data integration in the heterogeneous airport systems environment. Based on its own Message Broker, GroundStar’s AODB provides a powerful platform to integrate, consolidate, manage and distribute the large and diverse amount of data affecting the multiple organisations and systems involved in the ground operation.

Departing from traditional point-to-point interfaces, the AODB ensures that the information is entered only once, at the source, and that data and process ownerships are clearly established. The Message Broker makes certain that data updates are shared amongst the affected parties from ATC through all management and operational systems to FIDS.

A Message Broker distributes the data updates to all connected systems, including FIDS, Baggage Sorting and Air Traffic Control and to the GroundStar applications. The AODB’s open architecture allows for the easy addition and integration of new users and systems.

2. Planning

Seasonal flight information management, slot capacity planning, and calculation of resource demands in the long, medium and short-term, are all covered by GroundStar’s Planning Process.

Immobile resources (such as aircraft stands, gates or check-in counters), ground support equipment, personnel or, very importantly, combinations of the above, may all be subjects of the process. Planning ensures that the appropriate business rules are applied to automatically generate simulated, analytical or real-life scenarios. Going beyond the determination of future personnel requirements, Planning includes shift-modelling mechanisms to provide the basis for optimised staff utilisation and to feed the rostering process.

3. Rostering

The planned shifts and qualifications requirements generated and determined in the planning process are assigned to the staff members, individually or in teams, combining work time (shifts) with other activities and with any type of absences. With powerful time-management tools and the flexibility to handle multiple sets of work-and-rest regulations, the Rostering Process provides the means to create rosters based either on the patterns typically used for full-time employees, on random assignments often used for part-time employees, or on a combination of both. The maintenance of the rosters created for practically any length of time is a key element of the process to ensure proper demand coverage in terms of both quantity and qualifications of the staff.

4. RealTime

The multiple constraints and frequent irregularities affecting air transportation require an intelligent real-time allocation tool with the ability to monitor and quickly react to each and every change, anticipating real and potential bottlenecks and resource shortages, minimising them when they occur, and facilitating a safe, cost-efficient and smooth operation. With highly developed algorithms, RealTime supports the dispatcher in the deployment of resources, mobile and immobile, and the allocation of automatically-created tasks derived from current or imminent flight events. Non-flight related tasks are also taken into account and assigned to resources in combination with flight related tasks where appropriate. An optimum match of resources to tasks is achieved by the blending qualifications, distances, priorities and load capacities, and many other variables, as well as technical and organisational conditions.

5. Customer Relations

In times of increasing air traffic and strong global competition, the demand for cost reduction and efficient management is more pressing than ever. Offering individual ground handling contracts as well as accurate and customised invoicing is one of the main drivers of competitiveness. GroundStar supports the processes of creating and maintaining contracts and agreements between the airport or airport entities and their customers, and automates the generation of invoices, based on either pre-existing contracts or for additional or ad-hoc instances.

6. Management Information

Performance monitoring is a key element of a well-managed operation, particularly if the monitoring is carried out when corrective measures are still possible. GroundStar supports this process with a powerful and flexible reporting tool, which allows for the easy definition of custom reports and their fast ad-hoc or scheduled generation.

Application Packages

Because of the diversity of the many areas involved in the operation, GroundStar provides additional, specialised support to the individual areas through Application Packages which address each area’s specific operational needs. To integrate itself within the environment in which it operates, GroundStar also offers Integration Packages including both predefined integration and interfacing options, and customised interfaces.

Contact Details
	T: +49 (0) 24 08 / 94 56 - 24
	F: +49 (0) 24 08 / 94 56 - 25
	E: airport.systems@inform-ac.com
	W: www.groundstar.aero