Jean-Fran'ois Bouilhaguet, Managing Director of Sodexi, briefly explains the two initiatives which have the potential to revolutionise airport handling operations in the Paris airports, but also at all airports and indeed other industrial sites involving fleets of mobile units.
'The key to both of these initiatives is 'Harmony,' which encapsulates our vision of a corporate world where industry sectors and company branches work in unison thus avoiding wasteful competition and duplication of resources. Harmony is at the core of Codex's current Express Freight operation, an efficient, computer-controlled and completely paperless operation that forms a substantial part of the Air France cargo network at Charles De Gaulle. The Harmony system will focus on utilising existing capacity and equipment rather than investing in new.
'After some seven years of development, XOPS is Codex's software solution for real time control of mobile equipment in the warehouse and on the ramp. XOPS, meaning OPERATIONS ON SCREEN, functions in a number of areas. From a central monitor, it keeps visual control of vehicles and is able to instruct drivers with real time data such as an aircraft's late arrival or change of gate or the positioning of ramp handling equipment. The system can also be applied to tasks such as fuel distribution and the positioning of maintenance equipment. It can also accurately calculate charges and invoicing and at the same time perform vital security supervision.
'It's simple in theory: the operation relies on a tight network of communication between the airlines, ground handlers, cargo forwarders and other players on the airport. The system is paperless, accessed through an internet portal or local network and allows handlers to make the best possible use of their existing equipment as 'pooling' It is now possible, to track all movements by GPS, and monitor them on camera.'
XOPS has been jointly developed by Sodexi together with Nashtec, the French branch of ASTUS, a Canadian specialist in GPS and electronic vehicle systems.
Sodexi, part of the Air France cargo network, provides fast, efficient handling of Express cargo at its computer controlled airside facility at Paris CDG airport. Apart from traffic from the Air France network, the company handles the Equation service for all Skyteam members as well as handling many other airlines plus FedEx, TNT, DHL, Chronopost and various specialist express forwarders. Another feature is the unique Express supermarket where customers and partners work within the Sodexi building, often sharing staff. The company, under the direction of Jean-Francois Bouilhaguet, has been a leader in innovation a willingness to introduce new ideas and technology for improving speed and efficiency.
