Airbus aims to add 30 airlines to its Airbus Online Services (AOLS) by December following completion of a year-long pilot project of the extranet involving 10 carriers. The extranet, developed by Cap Gemini, Ernst & Young and Sun Microsystems, provides airlines with secure access to details of modifications made to aircraft during assembly. Airline internet marketplace Aeroxchange has secured an agreement with the US Air Transport Association (ATA) providing it with access to ATA's SPEC 2000 procurement and inventory redistribution databases. This includes more than 260 supplier catalogues, lists three million lines each of inventory and surplus parts. Sikorsky Aircraft estimates its preliminary design process will accelerate by 30% following the initial implementation of ip/Team software supplied by e-business provider NexPrise. Sikorsky is using the software to design the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter, with the package linking 300 members of the design team. Consultants Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Swedish IT company RM Rocade have formed a partnership to provide airlines with IT solutions. E-business company chinadotcom is investing $1.25 million in internet travel business ZingAsia as part of $10 million in new funding for global expansion. Independent on-line aviation marketplace Avolo has completed the initial auto-quote implementation phase with aerospace brake control systems manufacturer Hydro-Aire and has started the second phase, which will add Hydro-Aire's catalogue to the website. Phase one allows Avolo users to receive on-line quotes on Hydro-Aire's products. PartsBase chief operating officer Andy Plyler has left the aviation e-marketplace to become president and chief executive of Exostar, the e-commerce venture launched by BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Source: Flight International
