INFORM to roll out its GroundStar software solutions for SATS
INFORM GmbH, a leading global provider of advanced optimization solutions for airports, airlines and ground handlers, is rolling out its GroundStar software solutions for Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), Asia’s leading provider of food and gateway services, and the chief ground-handling and in-flight catering service provider at Singapore Changi Airport. The system will be applied in Singapore Changi Airport and be used in the planning, rostering and real-time management of SATS’ 4,000 staff members. The successful implementation has taken place remotely in five pilot departments in parallel.
Among the solutions being implemented are the planning and rostering solutions, GroundStar (GS) Planning and GS WorkforcePlus; the real-time allocation solution, GS RealTime including Daily Flight Information Processing and its mobility solution, for processing IATA messages and staff communication to mobile devices, respectively; as well as the business intelligence solution, GS BIS. The GroundStar suite was selected to replace SATS’ existing legacy system.
According to INFORM Aviation senior vice president Uschi Schulte-Sasse: “SATS is well-recognized as a progressive, forward-thinking industry player that is always looking for new ways to improve its operations and quality of service. By applying the GroundStar solutions, SATS will achieve optimum resource management and planning capabilities that facilitate its greater operational agility, workforce management and overall performance.”
The software project is being rolled-out in the different business units in phases. The pilot phase of the project focused on SATS’ baggage, loading including ground support equipment operations, load control, flight ops and cabin cleaning processes and successfully went live in mid-November 2021. According to INFORM Project Manager Oliver Tiedt, the Daily Flight Information Processing, the GS Planning and GS WorkforcePlus, GS RealTime and GS BIS applications have been implemented. Roll-outs in the passenger, security and catering areas were successfully completed. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and to ensure worker safety, all implementation activities have been performed remotely.
Vincent Chan, senior vice president, passenger services at SATS, praised the full remote implementation of the software solution during the pandemic: “We are pleased with the high level of technical support INFORM provided and its facilitation of this project implemented under special circumstances. This was effectively accomplished involving five pilot departments in parallel rather than the usual one pilot department only approach. Thanks to the successful GroundStar implementation, SATS is well-prepared for the ramp-up period and the future, overall.”
INFORM’s GroundStar suite is the culmination of 30 years of aviation experience applying advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Operations Research and Machine Learning to support optimized operations for airlines, airports, and ground handling companies worldwide. The fully-integrated software delivers increased productivity, improved performance, enhanced communications, and informed decision making, while reducing operational costs.
