Digital Transformation in the Aviation Industry
According to Aircraft Leasing Ireland, the Ibec group representing the aircraft leasing industry in Ireland, over 60 per cent of the world’s leased aircraft are managed from Ireland. And with 40 years of experience in this highly specialised sector, ever since the founding of Guinness Peat Aviation in 1975, this is an industry in which Ireland is very much a leader. With such a dominant position in global aviation, the need for specialist systems to scale with the industry is becoming critical. A recently launched division of TEKenable, TEKaviation has recognised that need, and now has a clear mission to provide the digital infrastructure required to enable further growth in the industry. Initially concentrating on the aircraft leasing sector, TEKaviation has launched Argot onto the market, an aviation-specific ERP system that efficiently manages lessors’ core business processes, empowering leaders to uncover insights and drive significant efficiency gains across departments in their aviation business.
ERP Systems for Aviation
“Argot uses technology from Microsoft, which is configured for the needs of aircraft lessors,” said Aidan Bodkin, managing director at TEKaviation. “We’re focused primarily on the aircraft leasing industry, building upon TEKenable’s 20 years’ experience developing digital transformation projects, as well as the leasing expertise in the team of TEKaviation, to develop Argot.” According to Bodkin, Argot was developed in response to the industry’s need for a specialist product configured by a team with intimate knowledge of the sector. “Many leasing companies have been using legacy systems and software; they’re able to leapfrog those systems by using Argot, which has Microsoft technology at its heart. It also allows clients to keep up to date with AI technology as our products are AI ready and enabled.”
Digital Transformation in Aviation Industry
At present, TEKaviation’s Argot product consists of three modules. Bodkin says that a fourth, Asset Management, is due to come online shortly. Argot Deals is a CRM manager that automates time-consuming tasks, enables greater collaboration at deal team level and results in more efficient deal management throughout all phases of a deal. Argot Contracts operates as a central hub to keep leasing agreements organised, accurate and compliant. Argot Finance produces statutory and management reporting that can cope with complex corporate structures and provide detailed financial information down to MSN level. “All of these modules can seamlessly integrate with each other and across the entire Microsoft technology stack,” said Bodkin. “We are also really excited about the possibilities with AI and have created an AI tool called AviTalk, which can dramatically increase operational efficiencies for lessors.”
Argot is already in the marketplace, after being tested and trialled by many customers during its development. “The product has been battle-tested in the marketplace as it’s being used every day by live clients,” said Bodkin. “We have a case study with a customer, who said that with their previous systems, they would not have been able to cope with their huge growth spurt over the past few years if they had not put the upfront investment in their systems to enable their growth.” Bodkin says TEKaviation’s combination of experience and a rock-solid technology platform is a winner for aircraft leasing companies. “Our technology is based on the Microsoft technology stack, which is the gold standard in reliability and security. Furthermore, we believe that it has the most cutting-edge AI capabilities in the world. More importantly, our products are developed through hard-won experience from TEKaviation and its team. We have been in the trenches, we’ve developed a system and configured it to suit the needs of an industry in which we have years of experience.
Our Digital Transformation Journey
We may be a new name on the market but we have a long history through TEKenable, with over 2,000 projects completed over the past 20 years in a variety of industries. We understand what digital transformation looks like. Most leasing companies are doing digital transformation for the first time; we do it every day with our clients. We also have years of aircraft leasing experience, which is critical as it’s quite a niche industry. This isn’t mass production with a cast of thousands; it’s a low-volume high-value industry and you need to understand what you’re doing. Off-the-shelf technology or developing the technology on your own is not going to work for a niche industry that is managing trillions of dollars of assets. A specialist digital transformation partner like TEKaviation is designed to fill that gap.”
FAQs for Digital Transformation in Aviation
What is digital transformation in the aviation industry?
Digital transformation in aviation refers to the integration of digital technologies into all areas of aviation operations, including aircraft leasing, maintenance, customer service, and finance. It aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making through data-driven insights.
Why is digital transformation important for aircraft leasing companies?
Aircraft leasing companies manage complex, high-value assets and contracts. Digital transformation helps them streamline operations, automate workflows, and gain real-time insights, especially critical as the industry scales globally. Tools like ERP systems tailored for aviation, such as Argot, are designed to meet these needs.
What is Argot and how does it support digital transformation in aviation?
Argot is an aviation-specific ERP system developed by TEKaviation. It includes modules for deal management, contract compliance, and financial reporting. It integrates with Microsoft technologies and is AI-enabled, helping lessors manage growth and operational complexity efficiently.
How does AI contribute to digital transformation in aviation?
AI enhances operational efficiency by automating routine tasks, improving predictive analytics, and enabling smarter decision-making. In aviation leasing, AI tools like AviTalk can streamline communication and data processing across departments.
What challenges do aviation companies face when adopting digital transformation?
Common challenges include reliance on legacy systems, lack of industry-specific solutions, and the complexity of integrating new technologies. Partnering with experienced providers like TEKaviation, who understand the niche nature of aircraft leasing, can help overcome these hurdles.
Why is Ireland a hub for digital innovation in aviation leasing?
Ireland manages over 60% of the world’s leased aircraft and has a 40-year legacy in the sector. This leadership position has driven demand for advanced digital infrastructure, making it a fertile ground for innovations like Argot.