Realizing safe, efficient, and eco-friendly aircraft maintenance

iOS apps (iPhone and iPad) that transform the work style of JAL mechanics and their managers

CLIENT JAPAN AIRLINES(JAL)

Output

Inspect & Turn(iPhone app) and Assign Tech (iPad app) were jointly designed with JAL mechanics and their managers to let them engage more in maintenance work. With Inspect & Turn, each mechanic can see which aircraft they are assigned to for the day, task lists, pdf manuals, and so on. Mechanics can attach photos and videos to their maintenance report on the app, allowing them better communicate their maintenance progress among the team. With Assign & Tech, managers can see all the aircraft arriving at the airport and easily assign mechanics to each aircraft while checking each mechanic’s schedule and if they hold a certification to service a specific aircraft.

App promotion video (in Japanese)

Unofficial transcripts in English

We wanted to deliver more reliable services and satisfaction to our customers. We began reviewing the mechanical engineers' workflow in the Maintenance Operations Department at JAL.

As airplanes constantly evolve, we wondered how we could improve the maintenance field dramatically. How we conduct maintenance work has not changed for a long time, with paper-based manuals, documenting maintenance work, and radio communication being the norm. For example, before maintenance, we used to check the aircraft information on the office PC to see if there were any malfunctions and then print out the maintenance manual and bring it to the field each time. On-site, maintenance work was carried out in coordination with the back office by radio. This clerical work involved a lot of paperwork and accounted for 40% of the mechanic's job.

By fundamentally reviewing the mechanics' operations, redesigning processes, and changing the way they work, IBM's Digital Reinvention reduced the number of documents by 3.34 million in one year, enabling constant access to the latest information regardless of where mechanics are. In this project, a mobile application jointly developed by IBM and Apple was introduced to the front and back offices, enabling data to be viewed and procedures performed with the iPhone and iPad. Mechanics were also involved in designing this interface, which incorporates functions that are truly useful to them. The interface also allows users to see at a glance information about the aircraft and its malfunctioning parts through photos and videos.

This digital transformation has allowed them to engage in maintenance work more smoothly. In addition, mechanics could view the maintenance manuals used for the work on mobile devices, dramatically reducing the amount of paper used. The mobile apps allowed real-time status sharing, so teams could follow up with each other to ensure that maintenance work was completed. As a result, work efficiency was improved, and mechanics could focus more on what they should be doing, such as spending more time with airplanes.

This project was a way of transforming the maintenance workflow itself. I believe that more efficient maintenance operations will lead to further improvements in the quality of JAL's services, such as the on-time arrivals. With the keywords of "smart," "simple," and "standard," we will continue to create valuable products for airlines around the world and contribute to the further development of the aviation industry as a whole. IBM will continue to support JAL in achieving industry leadership through cutting-edge technology.