OREANDA-NEWS. May 18, 2011. Fujitsu today announced that, as part of a joint-development initiative being pursued by Fujitsu and Boeing, Alaska Airlines has agreed to participate as a pilot user in the development and demonstration of a new aircraft maintenance service, the Component Management Optimization service, scheduled for launch in the last quarter of 2011 (October to December 2011). Alaska Airlines also agreed to use its fleet and Seattle-based maintenance organization for the joint development.

The Component Management Optimization service, which Fujitsu and Boeing are jointly developing, is a new service for airlines and aircraft maintenance companies. Using Automated Identification Technologies (AIT)(1), the service employs reader devices to automatically scan component data stored on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Contact Memory Buttons (CMB)(2), such as serial numbers, manufacturing dates and maintenance history records, thereby enabling greater efficiency in aircraft maintenance operations. Boeing plans to launch this service for the maintenance of Boeing fleets, as well as non-Boeing fleets, in the last quarter of 2011.

The new service will enable Alaska Airlines to significantly reduce both time and operational costs involved in maintenance operations.

As part of its strategic alliance, Fujitsu will provide Boeing with exclusive access to a globally-shared ICT platform that includes AIT devices, device readers, middleware, and system integration and deployment services.