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As an airline operator considering the integration of wireless In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems into your fleet, you face a pivotal decision: choosing between an IFE manufacturer or an IFE integrator such as PXCom. This choice will shape the future of your inflight services and passenger experience.
The primary differences between these options revolve around three crucial pillars: the platform itself, the technology around the platform and the business side of your project. In this blog, we will delve into each of these pillars to provide a comprehensive understanding of the unique advantages and challenges associated with both IFE manufacturers and integrators, enabling you to make an informed decision that best aligns with your airline’s objectives and passenger needs.
The first consideration when choosing an IFE solution is the platform itself. Key questions to ask include the size of your fleet, your expectations for daily operations for the Wireless IFE, financial constraints, desired business model, future usage, and more. An IFE integrator, such as PXCom, will conduct a thorough assessment to understand these factors and recommend the optimal platform architecture. Options may include standalone & battery-powered systems, standalone aircraft-powered systems, or fully installed solutions.
Read More: “Your WiFi IFE Project: Standalone Battery vs Aircraft Powered”
Once the architecture is agreed upon, the wireless IFE integrator will suggest the best fit hardware based on the answers to your expectations and constraints, without any IP-ownership limitation. This could range from low-cost, leased battery-powered servers to installed wireless IFE systems capable of supporting future broadband connectivity. An integrator’s flexibility and tailored approach ensure that you receive a solution that perfectly aligns with your operational and financial goals.
Once the platform definition and supply are in place, the next step is leveraging the technology that powers it. An integrator excels in interfacing your wireless IFE system with various IT tools. Actually, as mentioned in previous articles, your wireless IFE platform must become a pivotal marketing touchpoint alongside your website and mobile app.
Thanks to its IT expertise, the integrator is able to interconnect your wireless IFE with your CRM, XM tools (e.g., Qualtrics), Content Management Systems, and more, transforming your inflight platform into a dynamic extension of your digital presence.
Additionally, working with an integrator allows for the seamless incorporation of third-party content and applications. By sourcing expertise from various domains, integrators can integrate advanced 3D maps, gaming platforms, and third-party content providers through dedicated APIs. This approach not only enriches the passenger experience but also keeps your IFE system at the forefront of technological innovation.
Thanks to its economics, a wireless IFE platform can transform into a profit center, especially when it leverages the latest technological advancements. Beyond technology, however, strong business support from your integrator partner is crucial. An integrator can assist with various aspects of your inflight digital platform to maximize revenue and enhance passenger satisfaction.
From advertising sales organization, to onboard retail optimization, to content strategy refining, to connectivity strategy…
By offering comprehensive business support, your integrator ensures that you not only implement a state-of-the-art IFE system but also maximize its potential as a key revenue driver and customer engagement tool to get the best from your inflight digital platform !
Catering MS : Full onboard retail catalog + meals menus
Content MS : Content Management System (blog, social media content, webzine production…)
CRM : Customer Relationship Management tool (e.g. Salesforces, …)
FSM : Flights Schedule Management tool (e.g. Sabre Schedule Manager)
XM Tool: eXperience Management tool (e.g. Qualtrics, Pisano…)
Wireless IFE integrators go above and beyond, providing far more than just platform delivery and aircraft integration. They focus on embedding the wireless IFE platform into the entire airline digital ecosystem, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced functionality. By partnering with an integrator, airlines can achieve the best return on investment, leveraging a comprehensive, flexible, and future-ready IFE solution that maximizes both passenger satisfaction and revenue potential. Unlike IFE manufacturers who only deliver and integrate the platform into the aircraft, integrators offer a holistic approach that truly elevates the inflight experience and drives business growth.
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