Aircraft Maintenance

This technology was something that Aero Union decided to take advantage of, knowing it could improve its processes by going digital. Mark Hernandez, the director of finance, IT, and human resources at Aero Union, states that moving into a “paper meets digital” operation was done after reviewing the several systems available, but it was the eCopy system that stood apart because of its additional features. “The additional benefit was being able to take a document scanned, and add markups with eCopy Desktop. This led us to purchase eCopy rather than just a document scanning system.” Aero Union also enjoys the security provided by the system. In order to scan and send a document, users must enter a username and password before completing the task, a feature that meets FAA regulations.

Transitioning
eCopy was initially suggested by the IT department, they believed that the individuals in accounting specifically would benefit most. Previously, invoices, purchase orders, and other paperwork were stored in a series of filing cabinets. When an issue regarding an order came into question, it meant rifling through countless cabinets in numerous buildings.

The new system offered the ability to store all papers digitally on a shared drive with easy access. Employees from different departments are all able to view the appropriate files from their own locations and at the same time. Accepted by the accounting department, it didn’t take long for its use to grow according to Hernandez.

“Initial reaction to eCopy was diverse, with departments such as accounting welcoming the paperless workflow and added functionality, and other departments more resistant to adopting new technology. But our employees were quick to adopt eCopy once they understood its benefits and saw how easy it was to use.”

Like most changes, all employees did not embrace the eCopy system right away. “Change is hard in the company, so we saw resistance, moving from paper to electronic was one of the biggest hurdles that employees had to get over. They always want to hold something in their hand. They didn’t really trust the electronic side until we proved to them it will still be there tomorrow and they can pull it up. Once we got over that hurdle, everyone started using it a lot more and it is still progressing. We are still adding users, especially in the MRO division people are really picking it up,” explains Hernandez.

Productivity
The maintenance department at Aero Union uses Pentagon 2000 to help maintain the workflow of the shop, as well as four digital copiers with ShareScan. Technicians use the systems for purchasing, requesting checks, and for helping to control inventory and work orders.

Hernandez explains the company finds it to be a very useful tool. “We have the computer set up by each workstation in the hangar where every aircraft would depart. Mechanics use those to look up technical publications and see parts availability. We use eCopy to scan in tech pubs, any tech pub changes are scanned in and added to the original PDF files. We are constantly updating our tech pubs and that is what they then use on the shop floor.”