The past few years have seen a drive towards 'Digitization' with the advent of 'Industry 4.0', but what does this actually mean in MRO IT and is the 'paperless' process feasible in all environments? Have we become blinded by everything digitised that we have not analysed what should or should not be paperless? We should be sure that we use technology to improve efficiency not just because we have to. How do we tactically handle paperless and what are the pitfalls? How has paperless and digitsation compared to how you thought it would work? Does paperless actually save time and money in all instances?

Chair: Phil Bathurst, Aspire MRO

Title to be Shared Soon - Berk Atakan, Operational Maintenance Planning Chief, Sun Express Airlines*

The Hidden Costs of Paper: How Are They Crippling Modern Operations? - Soufiane Lotfi, Sales Account Executive, EMEA, iBASEt

Maintenance IT Modernization - Yann Cambier, Director - Aviation & Transportation, ICF*

True Paperless Coverage of Processes - Senior Representative, Swiss Aviation Software* and Co-Speaker*

Robots are increasingly replacing the human element in mundane and repetitive tasks, including areas of predictive trend analysis and predictive maintenance. 'Bots' follow complex algorithms to suggest to engineers what potential parts (rotables) will fail or become unreliable. Digitization, AI, Machine Learning, big data, blockchain are all important elements in the evolution of MRO IT, but how reliable can AI or Machine Learning be in such an environment? We explore how AI/ML can benefit MRO IT operations, and what other considerations are needed.

Chair:

Make Machine-Learning and Predictive Maintenance Part of Your Daily Operation - Steve McFeely, Managing Director Maintenance & MRO Digital Solutions, Boeing

AVIATAR - Senior Representative, Lufthansa Technik*

Powering Aviation’s Digital Transformation through NextGen Solutions - Monica Badra, Co-Founder & CEO, Neo NextGen

Title TBC - Robert Mather, IFS

Title TBC - Paul Saunders, Solutions Director, Vistair Systems

The increase in digitisation of systems and processes has seen a dramatic increase in the use of cloud based services. There are benefits for cloud hosting, but is it the best alternative? There are known issues with cloud security, its complexities and reliability, and control of data. In the event of down-time, what happens with no direct/hard-wired link to company infrastructure? Why should we go to the cloud, or is it because it is supplier driven? What is the back-up plan? What is known is a we digitise more processes and systems, the choice between cloud and non-cloud, on-premise or virtualised, is a considerable decision. In this panel discussion we explore the values and challenges of each, and what are the considerations or consequences.

Moderator: Nick Godwin, NSG Aero

Panelists:

Remon Sweers, Business Innovation Manager, Regional Jet Center (KLM)

Andy Graham, Chief Commerical Officer and Founder, QOCO Systems Ltd

Cameron Hood, CEO, NVABLE*

TBC

TBC

As technologies advance at a rapid pace, how do airlines best take advantage and ensure technology gets into the production environment? What role can machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR) play in predictive maintenance and efficiencies for the airline? How can drones play a role in inspections, dent mapping and other tasks for enhancing efficiencies? How can we successfully and safely implement newer generations of mobile technology, software in legacy systems, and paperless systems?

Chair: Adrian Ionascu, Blue Air

Precision 3D Measurements: As Simple as Taking a Photo - Erik Klaas, CTO, 8tree GmbH

More With Less: How Can MROs leverage IT to Thrive in This New Normal - Senior Representative, Ramco*

Chaos to Culture: A CTO's Flight Path - Sudarsan Lakshmikumar, CTO, KeepFlying Pte Ltd

The shortage of engineers in the aerospace industry is well known, and will be a problem for some time, so how do we maintain or build capacity and plan our workforce to ensure the MRO function is not interrupted, as an aircraft on the ground is not earning revenue. How can we bring in technology to help the training program, including software that monitors and helps training or stops the wrong people doing the wrong jobs? How can we fast track training without undermining standards?

Chair:

With increasing integration between Flight Ops IT and MRO IT requirements, the benefits of an integrated IT system is undeniable. However, the decision of how best to choose and implement a system is vital to get right, and what type of system would be most beneficial to the company. Are Full ERP single solutions most efficient, that may be a good all round performer but not perfect for everything, or should one choose Best of Breed solutions with integrations. What should the inputs be from both Flight Ops IT and MRO IT sides, and what Configuration Management, data and information do both sides require from such a system that can enable integration? This lively discussion will explore the alternatives.

Moderator: Nick Godwin, NSGAero

Panelists:

Frédéric Pralus, VP Technical, CAMO Post Holder, Avion Express

Senior Representative, SAS*

Hugh Revie, VP of Sales, EmpowerMX*

Robert Mather, Vice President Aerospace & Defense Industries, IFS*

Richard Landsbury, Sales Director, Rusada

TBC