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Arrow Electronics has launched a Smart Airport Asset Management Solution, an Internet of Things (IoT) solution co-created with IBM.
The offering is designed to provide airport operators with improved operational insights capable of optimising equipment maintenance to avoid downtime while improving traveller experience.
Based on an Arrow-designed and sourced set of IoT sensors and gateways, the solution also leverages IBM Watson IoT Platform and IBM Maximo Enterprise Asset Management software.
“Over seven billion passengers fly every year, so creating smart airports is smart business,” said Aiden Mitchell, vice president of IoT at Arrow. “This solution we have developed with our suppliers will help improve the customer experience and demonstrates the model that IBM and Arrow are implementing across the relationships at the heart of IoT.”
According to Mitchell, the Smart Airport Asset Management Solution collects data such as temperature, vibration and motor fluid levels from sensors on motors and other moving parts in escalators, moving walkways and baggage handling systems.
Additionally, sensors on potable water cabinets measure temperature, open/closed door, water flow and leakage to determine if the cabinet is functional.
The solution - which is available through Arrow, its channel partners and IBM - also aims to resolve "frequent operational challenges" that most negatively impact travellers, according to an Airport Service Quality report from the Airport Council International.
“Harnessing data and analytics, this end-to-end IoT solution enables airports to improve the performance of key assets that directly impact customer experience,” added Adriana Robinson, vice president of IBM Watson IoT. “This will allow maintenance teams to predict airport facility equipment failure and create proactive maintenance workflows.”
Robinson said data is collected from the sensors connected to wireless gateways, and then consolidated and analysed on the IBM Watson IoT Platform.
