“Whether you’re building, maintaining, or sustaining assets, A&D is defined by precision, compliance, and operational resilience,” Hadavale stated. “Our job at IFS is to deliver those outcomes at scale, without compromising agility or security.”

That commitment is reflected in IFS Cloud’s expanding functionality across the A&D lifecycle—from fleet and CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization) operations to complex component MRO and asset-heavy project manufacturing. As of the 25R1 release, IFS includes out-of-the-box support for radical inspection, project payment planning, field-level access control, and integrated sustainability reporting aligned with global defense and aerospace regulations.

A&D companies operate in a high-stakes environment where downtime, data leaks, or compliance lapses are not options. IFS is addressing these concerns through continuous hardening of its platform, including enhanced zero-downtime deployment, on-demand VPN creation, and fine-grained permissions—even at custom field levels within workflows.

The platform is also advancing its high-availability infrastructure to deliver 99.99% uptime for defense and aviation clients. “We know many of our customers are operating in environments where a missed second could mean a missed mission,” Hadavale explained. “IFS is built for those conditions.”

Security and sovereignty remain key priorities. IFS is pursuing CMMC 2.0 compliance for U.S. defense contractors and expanding its Eurozone-restricted access cloud, aligning with GDPR and defense-specific certifications like NIST 800-171 and FedRAMP, ensuring that customers in highly regulated sectors can safely adopt IFS Cloud and IFS.ai without compromise.

While AI has become an industry buzzword, IFS is integrating it as a practical enabler of mission readiness. Leveraging over 200 AI-driven use cases across six verticals, IFS is bringing its Planning and Scheduling Optimization (PSO) engine to aviation maintenance and manufacturing environments, where real-time decision-making is mission-critical.

One standout feature is the intelligent copilot for maintenance and quality analysis, capable of summarizing non-conformance reports and correlating past issues to offer prescriptive recommendations—transforming data overload into actionable intelligence.

“We’re not giving you a toolkit and wishing you luck,” Hadavale emphasized. “These are embedded, pre-trained AI agents designed for A&D-specific use cases like APU maintenance, fleet health analysis, and supplier anomaly detection.”

What this means for ERP Insiders

A&D companies should zero in on high-friction processes. Defense OEMs, MRO providers, and commercial aviation operators should reassess their ERP strategies through the lens of mission-critical digitalization. Begin by identifying high-friction processes—fleet visibility, CAMO planning, or quality tracking—and align them with IFS Cloud’s embedded AI capabilities. Evaluate whether regulatory compliance, such as CMMC 2.0 or GDPR, is covered natively by your current system. If not, IFS offers a platform already hardened for defense. For organizations seeking secure innovation without sacrificing speed, IFS’s hybrid deployment models and sector-specific AI tooling offer a compelling modernization path.

IFS ticks most boxes when it comes to unique A&D requirements. IFS stands out in A&D for delivering a vertically integrated, single-platform solution that spans build-to-sustain operations. Its deep functionality in fleet maintenance, heavy MRO, and integrated project manufacturing is coupled with powerful scheduling engines and embedded AI use cases—many of which are tailored to A&D. Tools like CAMO task cards, real-time maintenance portals, and quality copilots are not theoretical—they’re live and evolving with each biannual release. IFS’s ongoing investment in high availability, fine-grained access control, and ESG-ready reporting makes it one of the few ERP providers truly engineered for the unique requirements of the A&D sector.

Market forces favor IFS in A&D sector. The global A&D ERP market is projected to grow by 8.7% CAGR through 2030, driven by digitization, fleet modernization, and compliance pressures. IFS’s focused R&D, rapid AI productization, and compliance roadmap position it strongly against generalist ERP vendors. Unlike Oracle or SAP, which often require significant customization for A&D-specific use cases, IFS delivers out-of-the-box depth across maintenance, manufacturing, and sustainment. If IFS maintains its pace of innovation and deepens global cloud service resilience, it is well-positioned to be the go-to ERP provider for A&D enterprises seeking secure, agile, and intelligent transformation.

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The Client

The Met Office operate over 600 sites across the UK and overseas from which observations are gathered using a variety of instruments, from complex radars to more simple temperature sensors. The critical nature of the data means that each of these instruments is subject to a rigorous maintenance schedule, ensuring that everything remains within required calibration limits and any detected incidents are dealt with swiftly to minimise downtime. The wind data used by Air Traffic Control at an RAF base, for example, has to be available at all times.

The Benefits

• Release capacity by minimising pre and post-job admin for field engineers.
• Increase efficiency of preventative maintenance with effective scheduling and minimisation of repeat visits.
• Restructure of foundational data (e.g. Locations hierarchy) and asset management capabilities to ensure accuracy of reporting.
• Introduce the ServiceNow FSM mobile app for use onsite for instant data capture and update to eliminate the need for manual data capture and re-entry on admin days.

“I have been very impressed with the approach Inetum UK&I have taken for this project, taking the time through site visits and workshops to really understand how we worked, before recommending solutions based on their extensive knowledge of ServiceNow. Met Office and Inetum UK&I have worked together seamlessly, with a particular focus on knowledge transfer to our Met Office staff.”

Clare Hubbard

Head of Transformation

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The aerospace company has a rich history of groundbreaking achievements, including the launch of 70 satellites for 20 international customers and the development of the first modern microsatellite with in-orbit reprogrammable computers. The adoption of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition will modernize SSTL’s back-office operations, embedding advanced automation across crucial functions such as project lifecycle management, from initial bid to design, engineering, and ultimately, launch.

This digital transformation is expected to unlock new levels of operational insight and efficiency, leveraging the power of SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere for enhanced data analysis and decision-making.

Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director of SSTL, said: “This investment will deliver the precision, automation, and scalability our business needs to continue to focus on what we do best; pioneering satellite technologies.”

Implementing SAP S/4HANA

NTT DATA Business Solutions will utilize its EVOLVE framework to ensure a streamlined migration process. Justin Brading, EVP Western Europe and MD UK&I conveyed his pride in supporting SSTL’s next chapter of innovation and growth, while Pablo Castagnini from NTT DATA Business Solutions further emphasized that this program is about leveraging the new platform to fuel automation and deliver deeper business insights, thereby accelerating SSTL’s continuous journey of innovation.

“SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is about more than a system of record, it’s about providing a platform for our business that enables us to scale,” said Steve Khetani Digital Transformation Manager at SSTL. “The extended toolset that SAP brings in terms of extensibility, automation and analytics represents a huge opportunity for us to continue to deliver real value to the very talented people who make this business so special.”

Since its acquisition by Airbus in 2009, SSTL has expanded its technological capabilities and market reach. This latest digital operations transformation with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition represents another milestone in the company’s ongoing pursuit of enhanced productivity and sustained innovation within the dynamic aerospace sector.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

Embrace cloud for agility and innovation. Cloud ERP solutions like SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition offer significant advantages. Studies have shown that companies adopting cloud ERP can experience up to 20-30% reduction in IT infrastructure costs and accelerated deployment times by as much as 40% compared to on-premise implementations. In aerospace, this agility is crucial for responding to evolving customer demands, integrating new technologies like AI and IoT, and managing complex global supply chains. For example, Rolls-Royce has leveraged cloud-based solutions for predictive maintenance of aircraft engines, demonstrating the potential for real-time data analysis and proactive service delivery enabled by cloud infrastructure. 

Implementing SAP to manage the entire project lifecycle boost compliance. Aerospace projects are characterized by long lead times, intricate workflows, and stringent regulatory requirements. However, case studies in project-based industries using integrated SAP solutions have reported reductions in project completion times by 10-15% and improved project profitability by 5-10% through better resource allocation, cost control, and risk management. Aerospace manufacturers dealing with build-to-order scenarios can benefit from real-time visibility into material availability, engineering changes, and production schedules within a unified SAP environment.

Advanced analytics for deeper insights. In the data-rich environment of aerospace, advanced analytics are essential for turning raw data into actionable intelligence. SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere provide powerful tools for this purpose. For example, airlines utilize analytics integrated with their SAP systems to optimize fuel consumption, predict maintenance needs, and personalize customer experiences. Similarly, aerospace manufacturers can leverage these capabilities to identify production bottlenecks, improve quality control, and gain a competitive edge through data-driven decision-making across their operations.

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Air Niugini operates an extensive domestic network and international routes to Asia, Australia and the Pacific, with the airline embarking on a major re-fleet initiative in 2025.

The partnership aligns with Air Niugini’s digital transformation strategy, replacing its outdated ERP, HCM and payroll systems with an integrated platform to accelerate the airline’s modernization and strategic goals.

Gary Seddon, CEO of Air Niugini Limited, said that the team’s objective was to identify a “forward-looking, multi-country platform that could serve as a cornerstone for an integrated system, aligned with our modernization and expansion strategies”. 

He added: “Ramco Payce’s ability to deliver actionable insights, combined with its seamless integration with our new ERP and HCM solutions, was instrumental in our decision. We are eager to leverage Ramco’s Payce platform to enhance the employee experience and optimize payroll, time and attendance operations.”

Rohit Mathur, head of strategic business unit – global payroll and HR software at Ramco Systems, said that since its launch, Ramco Payce has been receiving “an encouraging response from the market”.

“We are happy to help Air Niugini embark on its payroll transformation. I am confident that Payce will not only automate payroll processing but also provide powerful insights, propelling Air Niugini forward on its modernization journey.”

What it means for ERP insiders

Transforming payroll operations for HR professionals and financial managers: For HR professionals and financial managers at Air Niugini, the adoption of Ramco Systems’ Payce platform is poised to revolutionize daily workflows. Whether handling payroll compliance across four countries, managing attendance data or ensuring timely salary disbursement, this SaaS-based platform can simplify tasks with automation and seamless integration. Payce’s user-friendly interface and actionable insights promise a reduction in manual errors, better time management and enhanced employee satisfaction – enabling focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative hurdles. As Air Niugini’s modernization efforts take flight, HR and finance teams are to find themselves better equipped to support the company’s growth.

Payroll technology in a booming market: Air Niugini’s payroll transformation aligns with broader market trends. The global payroll outsourcing and software market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2 percent, expected to reach $51.6bn by 2028. Leading vendors, including ADP, Workday and SAP SuccessFactors, are competing in this dynamic space, driven by the increasing demand for integrated, cloud-based HR and payroll systems. Ramco Systems’ Payce, with its multi-country functionality, stands out in catering to companies with diverse geographic operations. 

Key considerations for choosing payroll solutions: When evaluating payroll solutions, end-users should prioritize several key criteria. Scalability is critical, especially for organizations with multi-country operations, ensuring that the platform can adapt to growth. Integration capabilities with existing ERP and HCM systems are equally vital to avoid data silos and ensure smooth workflows. Usability, including an intuitive interface and robust support for compliance requirements, is another must-have. Additionally, the ability to generate actionable insights for decision-making is increasingly important in a competitive market.

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A Strategic Partnership

IFS is partnering with Saudi Business Machines (SBM) to extend its regional footprint through a significant investment. The partnership, announced in Riyadh on February 11, is expected to create opportunities for local talent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while enabling organizations from the country to utilize IFS’ advanced industrial AI technology, IFS.ai.

IFS sees tremendous opportunity in Saudi Arabia and is focused on delivering its industrial and enterprise cloud solutions to the country in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.

“We are fully aligned with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, particularly in driving digital transformation and promoting innovation across all sectors,” said Fadhel Al-Shaikh, Vice President-Business Tech. Solutions at SBM. “Together, we will empower Saudi organizations to reach unprecedented levels of operational efficiency and excellence.”

The partnership aims to drive return on investment by utilizing SBM’s market experience in technology solutions and IFS’s industry depth and expertise in Industrial AI and enterprise software.

Moreover, under the agreement, SBM will expand its IFS practice into the Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and resources, Manufacturing, Construction and Engineering, Telecommunications, and Service industries and offer an array of services to IFS customers, including business consulting and customized technical support offerings.

Commenting on the partnership, Simon Niesler, Chief Revenue Officer at IFS, said, “It is only fitting that we partner with the Kingdom’s leading technology solutions provider, Saudi Business Machines, to establish a dedicated Saudi-based IFS practice. This will enable us to leverage their local talent and strengths to accelerate growth in the region and gain a competitive edge.”

Providing Efficiencies for Aerospace

On February 10, TIM Aerospace, an independent aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), chose EmpowerMX from IFS to optimize its operations and increase efficiencies.

Under the agreement, the MRO, which specializes in widebody aircraft maintenance, will leverage the technology provided by Empower MX to enhance its operational efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and drive profitability.

According to Dinakara Nagalla, Head of EmpowerMX from IFS, partnering with TIM Aerospace represents an exciting opportunity for the company to continue to redefine paperless maintenance operations in the aviation sector. “Our AI-enhanced EmpowerMX from IFS solution is designed to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation, ensuring that TIM Aerospace can deliver exceptional service and reliability from day one,” he said.

EmpowerMX from IFS is a premier asset and service management software solution designed for independent third-party MROs like TIM Aerospace. The rollout is scheduled for Q1 and Q2 of 2025. The solution will help TIM Aerospace transform its maintenance operations, reinforcing long-term business efficiency and sustainability.

“This partnership with EmpowerMX from IFS exemplifies our dedication to leveraging innovative tools that enhance service delivery and operational performance,” said Adam Voss, CEO of TIM Aerospace.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

IFS is doubling down on its “Industrial AI” strategy.  ERP users can expect more AI-powered features tailored to specific industries like aerospace & defense, energy utilities & resources, manufacturing, construction & engineering, telecommunications, and service from IFS in the near term. The SBM partnership aims to leverage IFS.ai to drive digital transformation and innovation within these sectors, suggesting that future IFS developments will likely incorporate more AI capabilities designed for these verticals, especially in the Middle East.

MRO providers are modernizing with specialized solutions. The deal with TIM Aerospace demonstrates IFS’s focus on providing solutions for specific business needs. Moreover, IFS is developing (or acquiring, as in the case of EmpowerMX) and integrating specialized solutions into its broader ERP ecosystem to serve end users better. For ERP users in similar sectors, this signifies access to more specialized tools that can be tightly integrated with their core ERP, improving efficiency and performance. The rollout for TIM Aerospace is planned for Q1 and Q2 of 2025, showcasing the quick turnaround for such implementations.

Strategic partnerships drive expanded capabilities and reach. The partnerships IFS is forging, both with SBM and through the acquisition of solutions like EmpowerMX, demonstrate a strategy of expanding capabilities and market reach through collaboration. The SBM partnership expands IFS’s presence in Saudi Arabia and brings SBM’s expertise in business consulting and customized technical support to IFS customers. Similarly, integrating EmpowerMX allows IFS to offer a best-of-breed MRO solution seamlessly within its ERP ecosystem. Thus, IFS users can anticipate continued expansion of the platform’s capabilities in the near and long term.

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With the Oracle/Adarga announcement, the two partners aim to help defence and security organisations deliver mission-critical data and insights to the UK and its allies. Adarga Vantage provides analysts, planners, and commanders with the ability to extract, contextualise, and connect information drawn from millions of internal and external sources, in over 75 languages, to enhance defence and security operations. This includes providing search, discovery, and Generative AI capabilities to augment enterprise knowledge and open-source intelligence gathering, and boost decision-making in multi-domain environments.

“Providing our customers with the ability to deploy to OCI further strengthens Adarga’s cloud-anywhere approach,” said Seb Matthews, vice president of mission engineering, Adarga. “This approach is fundamental in today’s increasingly complex operating environment, where defence organisations require technology solutions that offer flexibility, reliability, and security, without the need to be locked into a single provider.”

Deploying Vantage across Oracle’s distributed cloud will enable Adarga customers to maximise the value of their data and make faster and better-informed decisions while addressing security and sovereignty requirements. It will also help customers run operational applications in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent, and low-bandwidth environments.

Adarga will initially deploy Vantage in the Oracle Cloud for UK Government and Defence. Oracle reports it is the only hyperscale cloud provider to offer a dual-region cloud dedicated to UK public sector and defence customers, allowing them to take advantage of OCI’s superior performance and security while maintaining sovereignty of their data. The region is built upon the UK government parameters required to store OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE data, and all Oracle personnel who access such data are UK citizens that have Security Check (SC) clearances.

“Armed forces, government, and defence organisations need to continually access, analyse, and act on intelligence faster than ever as warfare is increasingly fought on a digital battlefield,” said Bram Couwberghs, vice president of defence, Oracle EMEA. “Adarga Vantage on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure brings together a powerful AI-driven solution on an industry-leading cloud and AI infrastructure to help military organisations win.”

Vantage is underpinned by Adarga’s extensible AI platform, which includes a proprietary ecosystem of more than 35 AI models and has been built to deliver rapid AI innovation and adapt to different mission requirements in real-time and on a global scale. With originally British AI companies such as Deepmind now part of the US’s Silicon Valley, the UK’s AI future may rely on intelligent and niche platform vendors such as Adarga partnering with enterprise tech giants such as Oracle.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Enhancing Defence and Security Intelligence: The Oracle/Adarga partnership is set to empower defence and security organisations by delivering mission-critical data and insights. Adarga Vantage enables analysts, planners, and commanders to extract, contextualise, and connect information from millions of internal and external sources across 75+ languages. With advanced search, discovery, and Generative AI capabilities, the platform strengthens enterprise knowledge, open-source intelligence gathering, and decision-making in multi-domain operations.

Cloud Flexibility and Mission-Ready Deployments: Deploying Vantage on Oracle’s distributed cloud will help customers maximize data value, improve decision-making speed, and meet stringent security and sovereignty requirements. The platform also supports operations in disrupted, disconnected, and low-bandwidth environments, a crucial advantage for defence applications.

Oracle’s Role in UK Defence Cloud Infrastructure: Adarga will initially deploy Vantage within the Oracle Cloud for UK Government and Defence, a hyperscale cloud tailored to UK public sector needs. Oracle’s dual-region cloud offers superior performance and security while maintaining sovereignty over sensitive data. With Security Check (SC)-cleared personnel handling OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE data, Oracle ensures compliance with UK government standards. Also, as AI becomes increasingly critical for defence and security, the Oracle-Adarga partnership underscores the UK’s commitment to AI innovation. Adarga’s extensible AI platform, featuring over 35 AI models, is designed for rapid adaptation to evolving mission requirements. With leading UK AI firms like DeepMind now integrated into Silicon Valley, the country’s AI future may hinge on strategic collaborations between domestic AI specialists and global enterprise technology leaders such as Oracle.

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Founded in 2018, Ascendance has emerged as a key player in the pursuit of net-zero aviation. They develop aircraft and hybrid electric propulsion systems tailored for various regional applications, including passenger transport, medical services, logistics and surveillance. Their innovative approach is poised to reshape the aviation landscape, making sustainable aviation viable on a broader scale. 

Since 2021, Capgemini has been instrumental in supporting Ascendance’s product development, leveraging its engineering expertise across critical disciplines such as system engineering, flight physics, and power systems. This collaboration has laid the groundwork for the upcoming first flight of Ascendance’s ATEA prototype, a next-generation Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft designed with the patented STERNA hybrid propulsion system. 

As the partnership evolves, Capgemini will deploy its comprehensive capabilities in engineering, technology, data analytics, and business transformation to enhance the industrial ramp-up of both the STERNA system and the ATEA aircraft. This move underscores Capgemini’s commitment to nurturing high-potential start-ups while aligning with its broader sustainability goals. 

William Rozé, CEO of Capgemini Engineering, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s expansion, stating, “Together, with Ascendance’s hybrid modular propulsion system and Capgemini’s end-to-end capabilities, we are ready to accelerate and soon deploy decarbonized solutions at scale for the aviation industry.” 

Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO and Co-founder of Ascendance, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of Capgemini’s expertise in engineering and industrialization in bringing their hybrid propulsion solution to market. “Together, we will contribute to making sustainable aviation more accessible, leveraging innovations that will reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector while offering new possibilities for the mobility of tomorrow,” he said.  

What this means for ERP Insiders 

This strategic partnership not only sets the stage for innovative advancements in aviation but also reinforces the growing commitment within the industry to address climate change through sustainable practices. 

Sustainability taking off in aviation. This move represents the industrialization of sustainable aviation solutions, particularly focusing on hybrid electric propulsion technology. This shift is essential for meeting rising regulatory and consumer demands for greener aviation options. 

Aviation’s move toward decarbonization will impact supply chains. CIOs and senior business leaders should be aware of these trends as they will influence supply chains, operational efficiencies, and corporate sustainability strategies. 

Innovation will help solve climate change issues. This partnership illustrates the growing importance of innovation in addressing climate change. Business leaders must consider how adopting similar technologies can enhance their operational models, meet sustainability goals, and align with shifting public and stakeholder expectations regarding environmental responsibility. 

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Using Kyriba’s end-to-end SaaS treasury management solution, Riyadh Air will use advanced AI, machine learning and API capabilities to gain full visibility and control of financial operations, strengthen bank relationships and boost decision-making. 

Riyadh Air is motivated to scale its operations to meet the growing demands of Saudi Arabia and global aviation markets with the partnership reflecting the duo’s commitment to innovation.

Kyriba’s robust treasury automation platform provides Riyadh Air with the tools needed to navigate and optimize its financial operations at scale, marking a pivotal step in its growth journey.

Amer Chebaro, regional lead of Central & East Europe, Middle East and Africa at Kyriba, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Riyadh Air, a visionary leader in the Middle Eastern aviation industry. This collaboration showcases Kyriba’s strength in delivering comprehensive, scalable solutions that meet the demands of high-growth organizations. 

“Together, we’re advancing treasury management standards in the aviation industry, providing Riyadh Air with the tools needed to achieve their ambitious goals.”

The integration of Kyriba’s AI-driven treasury solution is expected to contribute to Riyadh Air’s financial processes with advanced automation, reducing manual tasks, improving cash visibility and enabling precise financial forecasting. 

Daniel Tromans, group treasurer of Riyadh Air, also commented on the development: “As Riyadh Air continues to expand and transform the aviation landscape, automating our treasury management process is a critical milestone.”

He added: “Kyriba’s advanced technology and deep expertise in financial automation provide us with the capabilities to enhance efficiency and deliver on our vision of global leadership in aviation.”

The collaboration emphasizes Kyriba’s capacity to support large-scale, complex organizations and their leadership in treasury and finance automation. 

Kyriba recently announced the release of its Kyriba App Studio to assist companies in overcoming liquidity gridlock with AI. The new platform works to streamline integrations, simplify API adoption and help finance teams automate essential connectivity workflows.

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As part of the transition of Rolls-Royce Power Systems to a solution-provider approach, the division, which has a workforce of over 10,000 employees, sought an innovative solution boost service-level agreement (SLA) fulfilment and enhance scheduling efficiency. Leveraging the power of Industrial AI, IFS Cloud will transform service operations with advanced real-time insights and dynamic scheduling capabilities. The aim is to streamline service workflows and deliver more precise and agile service to clients worldwide. 

Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division is headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defense vehicles and for the oil and gas industry as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids and is intensively engaged in the development of climate-neutral solutions.

By using IFS Cloud’s Planning, Scheduling, and Optimization (PSO) module, the Rolls-Royce Power Systems division can expand long-term maintenance contracts and increase spare part sales by gaining better visibility into service data. This optimization will improve scheduling and engineer deployment, enhancing first-time fix rates while ensuring consistent fulfilment of SLAs across its fleet of engines.  

At the same time, IFS Cloud’s simulation capabilities, delivered through its What-If Scenario Explorer (WISE) will significantly enhance the customer’s planning processes. By modelling various scenarios for resource allocation, maintenance scheduling, and capacity planning, it can anticipate challenges, optimize resource utilization and better align with SLAs. Moreover, simulating different ‘what-if’ situations, such as fluctuations in demand, technician availability or parts supply, will enable the Rolls-Royce Power Systems division to make proactive, data-driven decisions. 

Rolls-Royce is not alone in its aspiration to become more data-driven. The modern data-driven enterprise can be described as an organization that prioritizes the use of data as a fundamental element of its strategic decision-making processes. Defining attributes include the following:

• Data sets are consolidated into a unified architecture to provide a comprehensive view
• Employs advanced analytical tools and technologies to extract insights from data
• Culture of data literacy
• Decision-making processes are predominantly based on data analysis
• Adopts predictive analytics to forecast future trends and behaviors
• Data governance frameworks are in place to ensure data quality, privacy, and compliance 

Joern Lindstaedt, VP Global Customer Service – Power Systems, Rolls-Royce, said: “After speaking with various potential partners, it was quite clear that IFS Cloud’s capabilities would mark a significant step in transforming our service operations, and IFS was therefore, the clear choice. With enhanced real-time insights and dynamic scheduling, we expect to achieve substantial improvements in service delivery and customer satisfaction, supporting our goals for efficiency and sustainability.”  

Automating much of the planning and dispatching process reduces the need for manual interventions, allowing new dispatchers to quickly master resource allocation, manage service appointments and adjust schedules.  

James Lewis, global head of service management business unit, IFS, said: “We’re excited to partner with Rolls-Royce Power Systems to support their shift toward a more service-oriented business model. With IFS Cloud, they will be able to improve first-time fix rates, reduce response times, and make more data-driven decisions, helping them deliver exceptional service to customers worldwide.”  

IFS Cloud will also provide real-time insights into engine performance, resource availability, and service needs, allowing for more proactive management of maintenance and replacements across Power Systems’ global operations. The platform will be rolled out to 1,000 users across 1,200 locations in 175 countries, underlining Rolls-Royce’s commitment to delivering innovation and customer service excellence on a global scale.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Leverage the power of AI in planning functions. In demand forecasting, AI can analyze historical data, customer behaviors, market trends, and external factors to predict future demand more accurately. Machine learning models can adjust forecasts dynamically as new data becomes available, helping businesses better align supply with expected demand. By using AI-driven inventory demand forecasts, businesses can optimize inventory levels, reducing excess stock and minimizing stockouts. AI can also recommend safety stock levels, reorder points, and optimal purchase quantities, all while considering lead times and supplier reliability. Further, AI-driven algorithms can create optimized supply chain plans by considering multiple variables like cost, delivery times, and demand fluctuations. AI can model various scenarios (e.g., a supplier shortage or transportation delay) and recommend contingency plans to ensure smooth operations. In capacity planning, AI can help manufacturers or service providers assess future capacity needs by predicting workloads and customer demand, thus helping to optimize resource allocation (e.g., workforce, machinery, or materials) in advance to avoid bottlenecks.

Target scheduling improvements with AI. AI can optimize production schedules based on available resources, machine availability, and deadlines. It can minimize downtime and machine changeovers by analyzing production workflows and identifying the most efficient sequence of operations. Also, AI can create optimized employee schedules by factoring in employee availability, skills, preferences, and labor laws. It can balance workloads, reduce overtime costs, and ensure that the right personnel are scheduled for each task based on demand and skill matching. AI systems can adjust schedules in real-time based on changing conditions, such as machine breakdowns, unexpected demand spikes, or employee absences. This adaptability ensures that disruptions are minimized, and resources are utilized effectively. Finally, AI algorithms can optimize customer appointment times or delivery schedules, reducing travel time, fuel costs, and delays. They can also take into account customer preferences and traffic patterns for more efficient routing.

AI advances the greater cause of optimization. In both manufacturing and services, AI can allocate resources (e.g., machines, labor, raw materials) to the right tasks at the right times. By balancing resource constraints with production goals, AI can maximize throughput and minimize idle time. Also, AI can analyze production or operational processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or areas where improvements can be made. For example, in manufacturing, AI can recommend changes in machine settings or workflows to increase productivity and reduce waste.

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Finance is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of an organization, but most are familiar with the hassle and stress of conducting quarter-, month- and year-end reporting.

One company working to alleviate this is insightsoftware, specializing in financial and operational reporting, BI, budgeting and EPM software. This software company has created a comprehensive reporting solution, Spreadsheet Server, that works directly in Excel.

One of the organizations that has recently benefited from this solution is the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, a North Carolina transportation department managing one of the state’s four international airports.

The airport authority was drawn to Spreadsheet Server as part of its need to empower finance users and lessen reliance on IT while adopting enhanced multi-step reporting processes and timely report creation.

To address its existing business challenges – such as the need to re-enter data from the ERP system into spreadsheets and handle manual reporting – the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority evaluated and ultimately chose Spreadsheet Server to enhance its chances of success and accelerate its reporting processes.

By using Spreadsheet Server for its financial and general ledger reporting, including job costing and procurement modules, the Authority achieved its goals of enabling users to generate their own reports with less reliance on IT and streamlining daily processes.

“Spreadsheet Server vastly reduced the amount of time we take to produce reports, freeing up time for higher-level tasks,” Steve Golden, financial analyst at Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, said.

Some particular reporting processes that benefited from the use of Spreadsheet Server include month-end close and management/ board reporting packages, data extraction from an ERP or relational database and reporting outside the general ledger, inventory, manufacturing, sales, purchasing and projects.

This case study shows how using modern solutions designed to address specific organizational challenges can elevate the finance reporting process by reducing reliance on IT and enhancing overall efficiency.

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