Kocoverk International cuts energy cost with airport mobile workforce solution

InterAirport Europe, Munich – 6 October 2009 – Kocoverk International, the worldwide supplier of ground service equipment (GSE) today announced the integration of an airport mobile workforce solution which will save 30% on energy consumption and improve billing by 10% for their aircraft heaters, coolers, ground power units and other ground support equipment (GSE).

In partnership with SITA and Appear, Kocoverk is embedding context-aware wireless technology into its equipment to enable the SITA Mobile Workforce Solution, ensuring that ground assets are used more efficiently.

The wireless units communicate the location of each piece of equipment to a control room where dispatchers can assign equipment to a turnaround. Simultaneously, data is sent directly to ground staff through rugged hand-held devices from which they can immediately locate equipment on a map, monitor its parameters, and remotely activate and deactivate them as necessary. Efficient usage and real-time information on location also allows better asset utilization and reduces the need to acquire surplus machines. Operation logs can be automatically transferred in digital format for billing purposes which reduces the risk of lost or inaccurate invoice data.

Max Ternheim, CEO Kocoverk International, said: “Saving costs and lowering carbon emissions are an absolute imperative in the air transport industry, particularly at this time, but IT costs must also remain under control. The SITA Mobile Workforce Solution provides immediate savings and has minimal upfront costs.”

Greg Ouillon, Head of Research, Technology and Innovation, SITA said: “This solution clearly demonstrates immediate gains to ground handlers enabling them to manage their GSE more efficiently. In the longer term, the overall efficiency of asset usage that the solution provides means that the requirement for investing in machines will be reduced. This is a good example of the business benefits that SITA wants to bring to the Air Transport Industry by deploying shared and cost effective mobile services at airports, removing deployment and management complexity.”

Earlier this year SITA and Appear launched a new workforce mobility program designed to provide common use mobile middleware infrastructure in order to support field applications in the air transport industry, such as maintenance, aircraft turnaround and airport management.

Several pilots are underway incorporating Kocoverk International’s enhanced equipment.

Visit us this week at stand C94, InterAirport, Munich, http://www.interairport.com or go to www.appearnetworks.com, www.kocoverk.se and www.sita.aero.

Press Contact:
Angela J. Hepburn
Be-SR SARL Media Relations
Mobile: +33 6 84 81 51 56
Email: angieh@beseenandread.com

About Appear: Appear is the leading provider of context-aware software infrastructure designed to power the next generation of mobile applications and services. Using situational information (context), the AppearIQ suite of products transforms ordinary wireless data networks into rich multimedia channels that deliver information, voice, video and messages to mobile computer users. By collecting and sharing context, Appear’s solutions eliminate information overload and ensure users have exactly the information they need, when and where they need it. Industry leaders in transportation, retail, telecommunications and government use AppearIQ. Appear has an extensive partner network including industry leaders Cisco, Motorola, Orange Business Services, SITA, Thales and Logica in order to deliver innovative, end-to-end wireless and mobile solutions. The company is privately held and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and with offices across Europe.

About SITA:SITA is the world’s leading specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.

SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more. With a customer service team of over 1,600 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.

SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world’s only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.

SITA is one of the world’s most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for around 550 air transport industry members and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. In 2009, the company celebrates 60 years in business. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.47 billion (€1.13 billion) in 2008.
SITA is the world’s leading specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.

SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more. With a customer service team of over 1,600 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.

SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world’s only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.

SITA is one of the world’s most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for around 550 air transport industry members and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. In 2009, the company celebrates 60 years in business. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.47 billion (€1.13 billion) in 2008.

About Kocoverk: The Company was founded 1920 as a sheet metal company and was located just north Outside of Stockholm. In 1952 the Company invented the portable oil fired heater for the construction industry, farmers, shipyards, workshops, garages and others. With capacities between 60 – 115 kW the heaters has been sold in more than 45.000 units worldwide to satisfied customers.