Arrow Electronics, IBM partner to improve airport ops, traveler experience

Monday April 29, 2019 Tags: Centennial, Arrow Electronics, IBM, Aiden Mitchell, Adriana Robinson, IBM Watson, Smart Airport Asset Management Solution

CENTENNIAL -- Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) announced the launch of the Smart Airport Asset Management Solution, an innovative IoT solution co-created with IBM (NYSE: IBM).

Based on an Arrow-designed and sourced set of IoT sensors and gateways -- the IBM Watson IoT Platform and IBM Maximo Enterprise Asset Management software -- the solution aims to provide airport operators with improved operational insights that optimize equipment maintenance to avoid downtime and improve the traveler experience.

“Over seven billion passengers fly every year, so creating smart airports is smart business,” said Aiden Mitchell, Arrow’s VP of IoT.

“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.”

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 resolves frequent operational challenges that most negatively impact travelers, according to an Airport Service Quality report from the Airport Council International.

Data is collected from the sensors connected to wireless gateways, and then consolidated and analyzed on the IBM Watson IoT Platform. The industry-leading IBM Maximo portfolio creates a more efficient asset management process using the collected data to drive workflows, resource allocation, and provides analytics to assess the health of assets to guide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.

“Harnessing data and analytics, this end-to-end IoT solution enables airports to improve the performance of key assets that directly impact customer experience,” said Adriana Robinson, VP, IBM Watson IoT.

“This will allow maintenance teams to predict airport facility equipment failure and create proactive maintenance workflows.”

The solution is available through Arrow, its business partners and IBM.