Dubai and Frankfurt, March 30, 2009 — proveo, part of Zebra Enterprise Solutions at Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) and a software provider addressing the real-time requirements of ground handlers, airlines and other aviation service providers, signed a historic multi-million Euro contract with Dnata, the largest supplier of air travel services in the Middle East. Established more than 50 years ago in the UAE, Dnata has signed the largest contract in the history of proveo to implement the proveo Airport Visualiser suite at Dubai International Airport. The proveo solution will support 1,500 ground support equipment (GSE) and other ramp vehicles that Dnata operates in Dubai.
Jon Conway, divisional senior vice president, Dnata Airport Operations, said: "We were extremely impressed with the proof of concept trial, which took place last year. I have no doubt that the implementation of the proveo solution will benefit Dnata's ramp operation in several areas, not the least of which is the core GSE tracking and monitoring capability. At Dnata, we are constantly looking at technology to help us improve our business and this significant investment, in very difficult economic times, demonstrates this commitment."
The contract represents the largest one ever worldwide for the monitoring and tracking of airport GSE. proveo’s Airport Visualiser suite of applications will be implemented in its entirety addressing the cross-departmental requirements of multiple stakeholders at Dnata. Moreover the system benefits will be extended further through multiple interfaces to Dnata’s resource and maintenance management systems, flight information system, billing application and training database.
Dnata’s main project drivers include fuel savings and the capture of accurate billing data for ground power, air-conditioning and air starter units, however, many more complementary benefits will be achieved leading to substantial reductions in operational and capital expenditure. Further added value will be derived from visibility of ramp processes, enhanced safety and security as well as operator accountability.
Phase 1 will be covering 887 units representing almost 20 different types of equipment including aircraft and baggage tractors, high loaders, conveyors, medical lifts and aircraft washers, just to mention a few. Phase 2 of the project will be addressing the remainder of the fleet and cover less mission-critical units as well as any additional GSE joining in the near future.
This project is yet another step by Dnata to achieve the best in operational excellence by applying state-of-the-art technology while achieving substantial reductions in operational costs and capital expenditure as well as improving safety, security and overall efficiency.
Dnata is now represented at 18 international airports in seven countries. Dnata’s ramp service section has a workforce of 1,300 persons and runs a GSE fleet of an impressive 3,880 vehicles worldwide.
Oliver Schulz, general manager at proveo Middle East, concludes: “Needless to say that proveo is delighted about Dnata’s decision to implement our entire solution here in Dubai, hopefully to be followed by a global rollout across all other locations. The small-scale proof of concept project during 2008 clearly highlighted the value our solution adds to Dnata’s operations and on behalf of all of us at proveo I would like to thank Emirates Group for entrusting us with such a mission-critical project.”
As a sign of commitment to the region, proveo Middle East has been set up as a dedicated regional operation in Dubai since 2006.
