Software provider IFS has rolled out a trio of new and enhanced maintenance tools to simplify work for MROs as part of the launch of its IFS Cloud platform. The tools are aimed toward providing access to maintenance information more easily and automating complex tasks.
The first is an offline mode enhancement to the Mobile Line Maintenance application, which will enable technicians to access maintenance workflows on their mobile devices during short periods of dis-connectivity. This could provide particular benefits for technicians working outside the hangar or in areas with reduced Wi-Fi access, enabling them to review planned work packages, request necessary parts and tools, record tasks and release aircraft back into service.
IFS has also introduced an Allowable Configuration tool, which automates the process of incorporating revisions to illustrative parts catalogs (IPC) directly into the IFS Aviation Maintenance Management System. According to IFS, manually incorporating IPC changes requires a lot of time and effort, and it can be prone to error due to high numbers of changes and complexity. Allowable Configuration automatically compares IPC changes to the original configuration, highlighting them for approval by the configuration specialist before publishing them back into the maintenance system. IFS says this automated approach practically eliminates human error and safeguards against inefficiencies that would typically occur due to incorrect or outdated information.
Lastly, IFS has made its Remote Assistance application officially available within the IFS Cloud platform. The tool, first offered as a concept in 2020 to customers in target industries, gained traction as a way for remote experts and technicians in the field to collaborate by merging two real-time video streams into a common view. Using augmented reality, Remote Assistance allows team members to interact in real time in a visual way via hand gestures, freezing images and adding real objects into the merged reality environment. The tool is able to create an auditable archive of recordings that can be searched through later, which IFS say is valuable for inspection quality assurance, training and compliance activities.
According to IFS, its new IFS Cloud platform connects all of its products and provides a common user experience that helps companies easily scale by providing the ability to switch on new functionality when the time is right for their business. It plans to offer twice-yearly feature releases moving forward to provide customers the choice to move to the latest version of its software at their own pace.
