AEROLINE
Realising the transformation programmes
of major aeronautics players
Aeronautics,
a changing market
The aeronautics market must transform in order to respond to the
challenges posed by the growth in traveller traffic, the number of
competitors and the development of services. In order to improve performance
and competitive ability, players within the aeronautics industry must optimise
their processes and information systems and continually innovate.
OPTIMISE
A necessity within a demanding global economic context
Sopra, a major European consulting,
IT services and software development
company, helps its customers successfully
transform their businesses and information
systems.
By combining added value and innovation in
its solutions, as well as industrial quality and
performance in its services, Sopra is the
partner of choice for large-scale organisations
that want to get the most out of information
technology in order to enhance their
development and competitive edge.
+ 16,000 employees
80 sites in Europe and throughout the world
+ 1,349 M€ of revenue in 2013
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AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
Against a backdrop of fierce global economic competition, airline companies and the states in which
they operate need their aircraft fleets to be safer, more economical and more operable – at a lower
cost of ownership. At the same time, these aircraft must have the latest onboard technology for
passengers and pilots alike. As such it is vital for players in the aeronautics industry to optimise
processes and information systems.
TRANSFORM
A vital step to move into the services territory
Essentially pure players in production, the manufacturers in the aeronautical sector need to move into
the services territory: customer relations, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and training.
A complete transformation is called for: redeployment of investment, major reorganisation
as well as a change in corporate mentality. Developing service excellence is a defence reflex that can
create opportunities to win over clients.
INNOVATE
A key challenge in light of new competition
Less affected by the economic crisis, emerging countries (i.e. Asia and Latin America) have arrived on
the scene, backed by strong economies and dynamic demography. They are naturally swelling
the demand for air transport which is expected to grow twice as quickly as the world average by
2020. They stand to become new challengers to the aircraft manufacturers in Europe and North
America. With the transfer of technology in exchange for sales contracts, they have become today’s
clients but tomorrow’s competitors. Traditional players have only one option: to stay well ahead of
them… by innovating.
AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
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Sopra delivers long-term support to
the major world aerospace corporations
throughout their digital transformation
Increasing production capacities, improving the supply chain, reducing
operating costs, designing and proposing high added-value services to
stand out from competitors: these are the major challenges faced by players
in the aeronautical industry. Now, more than ever, Sopra is working alongside
them to take up these challenges.
CONSULTING
A multi-dimensional approach
Sopra consultants are involved in the formalisation of strategies, as well as in the design
and implementation of major transformation projects for clients in France and
internationally. Their consulting approach is to simultaneously understand business,
technological, financial and cultural issues while continuously seeking innovative solutions
that take advantage of the digital revolution.
SUCCESS STORY #1 Sopra has helped a major
player in aircraft onboard electrical power to
improve operating efficiency and optimise the
planning and performance of its manufacturing
systems (PDM, quality, production). The
challenges were met with the implementation of
quick wins and a long-term roadmap to address
the strategic issues at stake.
SUCCESS STORY #2 Sopra has undertaken
consulting assignments for a leading
constructor, which include Supplier Mapping,
On Time Delivery and dashboard performance
– giving it real-time performance indicators to
improve supply chain efficiency.
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AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
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BUILD
Constructing information systems to meet business needs
RUN
Optimising existing applications
The restructuring of information systems addresses a need for radical transformation in
response to extensive challenges faced by business lines: integrating a major acquisition,
standardising processes and related processing cycles, completely overhauling core business
processes or modifying the added-value chain. Sopra guides its clients in the definition and
implementation of solutions for business lines, without any interruption in service.
Continuous improvement in existing applications is measured with reference to the
progress in the application services provided to business lines and the often considerable
cost reduction associated with these services. Sopra meets these challenges through the
industrialisation of application maintenance, a practice which drives improvements in
both the scope and depth of support provided. Another area for improvement is the
rationalisation of functions, applications and technologies within the existing application
pool in order to reduce maintenance costs.
SUCCESS STORY #1 In order to standardise, pool
resources, rationalise and accelerate the
generation of its financial reports, the
Management Control Division of one of the
global leaders in aeronautical propulsion
selected Sopra to design and implement its new
decision support information systems on the
new BI4 In-Memory (HANA) SAP platform. More
globally, Sopra assists this industry leader in the
transformation of its information system
working alongside project management and the
Information Systems Division (major programs).
SUCCESS STORY #2 With a view to retaining its
technological leadership and anticipating future
upgrades, Airbus Helicopters selected Sopra to
migrate its SAP 4.6 system to ECC 6.0.
The quality of management
(maximum responsiveness and flexibility)
and high involvement of Eurocopter and
Sopra teams made this complex migration
operation a success.
SUCCESS STORY #1 An important global
equipment manufacturer asked Sopra to
handle the industrialisation of the maintenance
of its applications for the SAP, Business
Intelligence and Collaborative (SharePoint)
business units by setting up service centres, on
the basis of a complex delivery model: multicompany, multi-business line, multi-geography
and multi-platform.
Objectives:
• to allow the equipment manufacturer’s teams
to concentrate on supporting business
requirements with an internationalisation
problem,
• to optimise processes and operating costs
for the run phases, while at the same time
improving quality of service.
Bernard JEFFROY
Airbus Helicopters
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AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
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CRITICAL SYSTEMS
Satisfying operational requirements
Scientific, Technical, Industrial and On-board Engineering involves complex, critical
systems. The related development work is subject to stringent constraints on reliability,
availability, safety and performance, calling not only for complete expertise in the
technologies and processes implemented, but also in the client’s core business. Thanks to
its innovation capability, Sopra’s expertise comes into play from the upstream phases of
projects until the products become operational.
SUCCESS STORY #1 Since 2002, Sopra has been
the supplier of a series of simulation models
used for the development of aircraft or for the
training of pilots to a leading simulator
constructor. The models produced enable the
behaviour of single or multiple systems to be
emulated. Sopra’s participation in corollary
research illustrates its maturity in this field.
SUCCESS STORY #2 A leading systems
manufacturer piloted a redesign project for a
family of single corridor aircraft in the context of
a global optimisation programme. Sopra was
entrusted with the complete redesign of the
basic software and applications for three flight
control computers.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Diversifying sources of revenue
Customer Service combines all of the services offered by a constructor, OEM, companies,
etc. to its clients. Sopra, a leader within this market (business & IT), contributes
significantly to the deployment of MRO solutions and the development of Health
Monitoring products and exchange platforms (e-Service portal, e-Commerce portal, VIP
Model…) enabling leaders within the aeronautical industry to set themselves apart from
the competition through the optimisation of increasingly reliable Flight Hour Services (FHS)
or Power-by-the-Hour (PBH) models. The focus is two-fold: improving the availability of
aircraft and reducing maintenance costs.
SUCCESS STORY #1 An avionics systems
specialist embarked upon a vast project to
overhaul its organisation and processes by
combining all the stock in its various units into one
more flexible, more responsive stock control
system. Sopra met the objectives within 16
months, with improvement in the level of client
satisfaction (better ranking) and the optimisation
of stocks while, at the same time, supporting
deployment in France, the United States,
Singapore and China.
SUCCESS STORY #2 With an increasingly wideranging customer base and a view to increasing
the quality of services, Aircelle has decided to
provide its services via a website, by providing its
customers with an “e-Services“ portal.
This portal has received very positive
feedback from our clients. The factors to
success? Strict methodology, a high quality
of communication between the Sopra and
Aircelle teams, fulfilment of safety
requirements and a good knowledge of our
SAP system.It is therefore with good reason
that Aircelle has awarded Sopra a Customer
Satisfaction Award for the success of this
innovative project, completed in a timely
manner and with a very positive attitude.
François TAREL
Executive Vice President of Aircelle –
Safran Group
GLOBAL DELIVERY NETWORK
Guaranteeing flexible production
To rationalise its production, Sopra has set up “AEROLINE” service centres in France,
Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and India. These service centres meet response and
cost requirements and, at the same time, satisfy safety obligations. This industrialisation
allows for extensive flexibility in adapting to required changes in load plans, cost
reduction and improving the quality of service to the satisfaction of business lines.
SUCCESS STORY #1 Sopra constructed the IS
SUCCESS STORY #2 For Airbus Group, Sopra
Core Model to harmonise business processes for
a world leader in high-tech products. To
satisfy cost requirements whilst maintaining a
high level of quality and supporting extensive
deployment (7 countries, 5,000 users), Sopra
developed a multi-site delivery model. This
highly innovative programme enabled the
gradual transfer of the greater part of the
technical and functional activities over to India
to be accomplished within 5 years, while
retaining highly skilled local staff working in
close proximity to clients in France and the
United Kingdom.
provided a fully managed service to develop and
support a system to maintain all of the technical
documentation relating to aircraft and spare
parts. Sopra continues to provide a full
maintenance service and operational support to
airlines as part of this service. Sopra, Airbus’ sole
point of contact, manages more than
300 people in France, Germany and India.
We have reached such a level of
quality that, whether the development is
carried out in Toulouse or Noïda, the
difference is imperceptible.
Airbus Group
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AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
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Innovating to improve
performance and competitive edge
A secure version of cloud computing,
operational “big data” (monitoring
services, data processing and in-flight
testing), operational, efficient
mobility for greater agility, integrated
social and collaborative networks,
augmented reality, NFC (Near Field
Communications)… all of these new
uses of technology offer tremendous
opportunities for companies to
transform their operations.
The field of aeronautics is a particularly fertile
one in terms of innovation: safety, fuel
consumption, new business models, industrial
and service activity within one extended
company. In order to devise and develop the
solutions of the future, Sopra strives to support
its customers with these new challenges by
always keeping successful integration into
existing application pools uppermost in its mind.
Maintenance simulators
For example, aeronautical maintenance
simulator projects are a good illustration
of how innovation can serve
performance. These simulators are
available on laptops and are very popular
with airlines. Sopra is a partner of
aerospace players for the production of
these simulators thanks to its
professional expertise in industrial and
onboard technical engineering systems in
all areas of aircraft simulation.
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SOPRA BENEFITS
Big Data: data analysis for
Airbus flights
Test equipment is becoming more and more
sophisticated and generates an increasing
quantity of data during test flights. For
example, the test flights of the Airbus A350
generate 2 Tb (terabytes) per day! For this
reason Airbus chose to implement an Oracle
Big Data Appliance in order to process all of
this data. Sopra collaborated in defining the
Big Data architecture (implementation of a
POC to demonstrate the performance of the
chosen solution) and is responsible for the
associated developments.
A Microsoft–Sopra “AEROLINE“
customer pathway
In order to illustrate the application of new
technologies in the areas of Customer
Management, Fleet Maintenance, Facility
Management, the Manufacturing Engineering
System and Digital Factory, Sopra and
Microsoft have created a customer pathway
dedicated to the aeronautics sector. Through
various business scenarios, it includes the
application of new Microsoft technologies
relating to the cloud, mobility and big data as
well as those of innovative partners who are
members of the SME pact.
AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
An AEROLINE business dedicated
to aeronautics and space transport
professions, in particular providing
support to the Airbus Group, Safran,
Thales and Dassault Aviation.
A global transformation approach:
Our consulting and technological services
business lines contribute to creating a
continuous value-added chain. Their
complementary nature gives rise to a
global transformation approach, which
enable us to respond to both business
and technological requirements.
The Aeroline Engineering Services
alliance, formed by Sopra and
CS Communication, enables us to improve
and strengthen the overall performance
provided to our clients via the
development of existing industrial and
commercial collaborations.
DigiLab: Within our innovation
laboratory, we simulate the new uses of
digital technology in real-life conditions.
We can generate original, appropriate
solutions that are co-designed with our
customers.
An industrial partnership driven
in the long-term by a strong sense of
engagement, the taking of controlled
risks and an entrepreneurial spirit.
AEROLINE - Realising the transformation programmes of major aeronautics players
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R.C. PARIS 493 291 108
- Photos Credits: Corbis, © Airbus Group - photo by e’m company/H.Goussé, © A. Pecchi, Master Image Programmes ©Thales Alenia Space
Sopra
9 bis, rue de Presbourg
75 116 Paris
Tél. +33 (0)1 40 67 29 29
www.sopra.com