Aerozone | Digital Innovation in the Airport Sector
The AeroZone project was developed by Netgroup in collaboration with Sixtema Srl as part of the “Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)” initiatives, within the “Smart Factory” application sector and the SN A1 technological sub-field “High-efficiency production processes for industrial sustainability.”
AeroZone is an innovative marketplace platform for the e-commerce of aeronautical components, designed to revolutionize the online procurement model. Through the use of advanced technologies, AeroZone offers a secure and reliable purchasing experience for both customers and sellers.
Currently, the sale of aeronautical components and equipment occurs primarily through manufacturers or international brokers. This fragmented process forces airlines, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies, air taxi companies, and private individuals to contact various suppliers individually, making the market disorganized and inefficient.
AeroZone aims to solve these problems with a platform based on Blockchain 4.0 and IoT technology, offering an up-to-date and reliable inventory of aeronautical components. Buyers can search, compare, and purchase products directly online, 24/7, through a simplified and secure process.
Key Features of AeroZone
- Reliable inventory: connection with certified suppliers to ensure authentic and up-to-date components;
- Secure transactions: use of blockchain for secure peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, ensuring integrity and transparency;
- Advanced technologies: implementation of augmented intelligence for technical data sheets and assembly instructions via augmented reality, reducing assembly times and human error;
- Statistical analysis: ability for manufacturers to conduct statistical studies on component lifespan and seasonal needs;
- Enhanced user experience: comparison and evaluation tools to find the best available solutions;
Advantages of AeroZone:
With AeroZone, aeronautical companies can centralize and optimize the procurement process, saving time and resources. The platform, similar to e-commerce giants like Amazon and eBay, promotes incremental business and offers unprecedented service in the aviation sector.
The AeroZone project innovates the business model by integrating blockchain technology and augmented reality into the marketplace, creating an efficient and dynamic product-service offering. Blockchain ensures transaction transparency, while augmented reality supports proactive maintenance and component assembly.
The platform offers real-time visibility of availability through Big Data Analysis techniques, allowing for accurate forecasts based on statistical studies and seasonal demand peaks. AeroZone includes advanced logistics features such as warehouse management, packaging, reverse logistics, and supply chain traceability, ensuring end-to-end monitoring. The contribution of artificial intelligence develops detailed product sheets and a 24/7 chatbot service that assists in component searches and maintenance troubleshooting, while integrated IoT sensors track components in detail along the logistics chain, validating every status change via blockchain to ensure information integrity.
Furthermore, the platform allows for the integration of augmented reality services for assembly and maintenance, improving the timing and effectiveness of operations via mobile devices such as headsets, smartphones, and tablets, providing technical information, video, or audio. AeroZone thus revolutionizes marketplace and supply chain management, offering advanced tools and improving the operational and maintenance efficiency of participating companies.
Upon completion of the AeroZone project, the product will represent a valuable asset for the development of a spin-off by the co-proposing companies. Through prototyping and test cases within a limited scope of DAC consortium companies (customers) and ATR (supplier), critical issues in the logistics supply chain will be identified.
The final Deliverable, titled “AeroZone – marketplace platform for aeronautics,” will summarize the main activities carried out for the product’s realization. It will include evaluations of the operational and technological difficulties encountered and describe the technological solutions adopted in line with market studies. Additionally, an analysis of market evolution will be provided, highlighting future opportunities and potential developments for the companies involved.
Partners for AEROZONE
