CribMaster Inventory Management Digital Solution for Jet2 Airlines, UK

Running head: CRIBMASTER DIGITAL SOLUTION FOR JET2 AIRLINES 1

CribMaster Inventory Management Digital Solution for Jet2 Airlines, UK

CIS 311 – Business Project Management

ASU-Tempe Campus

November 10, 2019

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CribMaster Inventory Management Digital Solution for Jet2 Airlines, UK

Introduction

The inventory management is an important endeavor in any airlines company across the

world. Every successful airline must have excellent inventory management since it is a core

organizational system that ensures that there is a smooth operation across the airline’s range of

activities. According to Parker and Ahtamad (2019) inventory management has been one of the

which are efficiency and cost management. The emergence of new technology especially the

digital technology has been one of the most instrumental inventions aiding the inventory

management tasks in the airline industry. One of the digital technologies that can revolutionize

inventory management is the use of the CribMaster inventory management system. This is a

software that manages inventories using barcoding and the RFID in tying reliable and fast tool

crib into a fast and powerful system in the inventory control. One of the best airlines in the

United Kingdom that could benefit from this type of digital technology is the Jet2 as budget

carrier airline. It can use it to make inventory control efficient and less costly.

The decision of Jet2 Airlines to utilize CribMaster may lead to easier fulfillment of safety

regulations in the field of flight, which, safety systems are in fact very close to the accuracy of

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presence of all tools, equipment, and spare parts, hence the risk of maintenance errors caused by

system provides instant stocks data, a situation which prevents vital components from being in

short supply at the time of need (Hadžialić, 2014). The automation of data collection also frees

users from manual record-keeping, which is usually susceptible to errors and inconsistencies. By

implementing this system, Jet2 would be achieving the dual objective of lowering the probability

of operational risks and meeting regulatory standards, which would enhance its position and

prestige in the air transport industry (Rowley, 2017).

What's more, it is quite plausible for CribMaster to steer the sustainable and cost-efficient

strategies at Jet2, which could be a lifeline to a low-cost airline that is operating in the cut-throat

market of budget airlines. This digitally-enabled solution is said to be quite efficient in

minimizing waste by lessening the overstocking through the accurate identification of unused or

as to be economically viable and at the same time make the supply chain run smoothly

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(Hadžialić, 2014). In a scenario where an airline is pitted against both low-cost and full-service

management problems that most major airlines such as Virgin Atlantic are experiencing (Budd,

Warren & Bell, 2019). Therefore, technology is meant to ensure that this task is made easier to

manage and run. As at now, the airlines have not started using the CribMaster Inventory

management tools which could be more useful in the automation of the inventory management

process.

Jet2 Airlines is known for its low-cost, high-satisfaction customer model that it

successfully maintains. The reason such a feat is accomplished is that Jet2 focuses on operational

efficiency, trains the highest number of people per seat with a high load factor, and usually, the

aircraft are turned around between flights rather quickly. Mills (2016) comments that this

concept has been a determining factor for Jet2 in its rivalry with the large airlines such as British

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Cuervo and Hoang (2018) also state that Jet2 power over the leisure market with targeted travel

operational holes. For instance, manual processes may lead to higher costs and longer downtimes

if parts are lost or not accounted for thus, reducing Jet2's efficiency. Klophaus, Conrady, and

Fichert (2012) maintain the point that low-cost carriers are compelled by the necessity to be

innovative at all times if they want to be profitable, which means the deployment of digital

inventory tools is a very vital move to support Jet2's long-term presence in the sector.

One of the competitive advantages which Jet2 holds over other airlines is the fact that the

intra-European network that the airline operates has been keeping such a significant trend

upwards in the last 10 years. The company flew the Brits to all of the hottest sun&music

locations in Spain, Greece, and Eastern Europe, basically, pushed the demand of the trend of the

budget holidaymakers and completely caught that idea with its product. Dobruszkes (2013)

times of large airports but can also enjoy its great efficiency in turnarounds and generally in

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operations. Though a complex-a-thon of daily flights and numerous bases are required for the

Jet2 can strengthen its ability to jog the network expansion without causing so many problems by

implementing automated digital inventory solutions along with other network-related activities

which they do with high efficiency and at affordable rates.

Jet2’s operations have been shaped by another important factor that is CSR, the demand

for which has been increasing steadily within the airline sector. Coles, Fenclova, and Dinan

(2014) have stated that low-cost carriers face the challenge of reconciling the promise of their

affordability with the rising expectations of consumers and regulators for more environmentally

friendly, and sustainable practices. Jet2 has made progress in areas such as fuel efficiency and

fleet modernization, but it still falls short of some larger competitors who have better

sustainability disclosures. Alberto and Hoang (2018) point out that low-cost carriers are usually

emissions. Dobruszkes (2013) states that sustainability aspects are getting more and more linked

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to the winning combination, particularly among the younger and the eco-conscious travelers. As

Jet2’s future always depends, on how well they will adapt to the changing market trends

in European aviation, among which is the hybridization of low-cost business models. This is the

influences all markets across Europe, with Jet2 moving into this direction by offering holiday

packages and ancillary services. Maertens (2018) points out that the selling of additional services

to customers is very instrumental in loosening the dependence on ticket sales as the main source

of revenue, thus making the company less vulnerable to fuel price shocks and demand

fluctuations. On the other hand, the company’s diversification increases the difficulty of

managing their operations, therefore, more solid infrastructure is needed to avoid inefficiencies.

Mills (2016) says that operational resilience is one of the major factors for sustaining growth

in turn, can be further strengthened.

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CribMaster inventory system software that manages inventories using barcoding and the

industry. It comes with a wide array of solutions that benefits companies in various ways

(CribMaster.com, 2019). The airline can benefit from it by associating this tool to its inventory

schedules and tool control standards in safety and efficiency perspectives. Rowley (2017) states

that improper tool tracking has been one of the causes that have recurred in aviation, as a result

of which the safety and operational risks have sometimes become very high. CribMaster through

the use of RFID and barcode technologies ensures that every tool is logged, tracked, and put

back in the right place in such a way as to free the airline staff from the worry of the FOD issue

which is one of the primary causes of aircraft failure (Smith et al., 2013). Owczarski (2018)

points out that automated dispensing systems are instrumental in minimizing errors that are

committed by people in the process of issuing the correct tools for the specific tasks while

restraining the access of the unauthorized. Apart from the practice of strengthening control and

the implementation of accountability measures, this is also a practice that greatly facilitates the

compliance with aviation regulations that require detailed maintenance records. CribMaster by

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furnishing live data and providing the visibility of all the stock items makes it very easy for

Not only can CribMaster improve compliance, but it can also dramatically enhance cost

management and operational efficiency for airlines. Stein (2013) states that the traditional

by giving predictive analytics as the means of matching inventory levels with the actual usage of

materials that not only cuts the surplus of product but also the ensures that the most necessary

tools and parts are available at all times (Sharma & Garg, 2016). Owczarski (2018) accentuates

that the only great advantage of automated systems is that they cut down on the waste and, also,

the time spent in the search for tools which, in turn, increases the productivity of the technicians

and, also, the time the aircraft can be out of use is shortened. Moreover, Rowley (2017) points

out that with the help of material tracking which can be the most accurate, expensive aviation

the possibility of cutting down their waste while at the same time they are still able to keep their

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It has additional inventory capabilities

The CribMaster inventory system is a comprehensive digital solution that comes with a

CribMaster.com (2019) states that the CribMaster inventory solution comes with additional

features such as a secure, automated toolbox, the accuDrawer and other useful solutions. The

the tools in the automated too box have tags that are located strategically on each tool. The

reason why this is done is to make sure that bin-monitor of the RFID is aware every time about

the location of the tools in regard to their appropriate locations and tracking their movements

within the facility. If Jet2 airlines adopt the use of this system, it will be able to monitor,

effectively the movement of its tools and ensure that each is in its appropriate location.

In addition to the automated toolbox and RFID monitoring, the CribMaster system's

integration with predictive analytics is probably one of the biggest extra functionalities. With the

help of this feature, airlines are able to foretell their inventory needs by looking at the historical

data, the operational schedules, and the seasonal changes (Mills, 2016). For Jet2 that works as a

low-cost carrier with a high number of flights, the chance to predict the maintenance tools and

spare parts that will be required in the future could be not only a great time-saving but also a

method to stop the occurrence of expensive delays having the airline take full control of the

situation. Besides, airlines, utilizing predictive insights, can become more effective mangers of

their resources. The idea behind this is for the airline personnel to be equipped with the gear that

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they require, yet without a stock that is too large (Dobruszkes, 2013). Moreover, such a

disruptions that affect the operations but also continue its reputation as a budget carrier that can

be relied upon.

feature that helps it keep the tool usage under strict aviation regulations. The system, which is

equipped with the ability to automatically create reports from the data on the movement of tools,

usage time, and the staff responsible, can thus ease the auditing process (Coles, Fenclova, &

Dinan, 2014). It's like a dream for Jet2 coming true; an airline which is subjected to numerous

and very strict checks by the aviation authorities. In other words, it not only halves the work load

of the staff but also provides evidence of conformity when requested (Mills, 2016). Furthermore,

these compliance elements link with safety practices to the extent of lowering the chances of

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Cost-effectiveness

The most practical goal for every company is to cut costs in its operations. At Jet2

Companies have been investing in the employment of more inventory experts which is costly for

them. Inventory management is unique depending on the nature of the company’s activities.

effectiveness in mind. For instance, CribMaster is affordable and it provides comprehensive

solutions that could have otherwise led to immense costs to the company. It monitors tools and

data from one point to the other unlike in the manual systems where employees are needed to

monitor them. Additional services such as the training of the employee in charge of its operations

are also provided as an aftersales service which reduces costs for the Company (CribMaster.com,

2019). Hence, if Jet2 uses this service, it will reduce the costs incurred in training and salaries for

the employees in charge.

Besides the CribMaster system, the cost-related benefits, perhaps the most important, is

the ability of the system to decrease the percentage of losses resulting from the missing and

unaccounted-for tools. Just imagine such a situation in an airline where only one missing tool

causes the whole operations to stop, and as a result, a very long search period, which is a domino

effect of delays and financial losses, is, unfortunately, a very common one (Rowley, 2017). With

the system that uses RFID technology and automated monitoring, the disappearance of tools and

the related downtime have been eliminated. This is the reason for the so-called operational

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stability, a characteristic that is especially beneficial for cheap carriers like Jet2 that rely a lot on

The system is also a major factor in cost-effectiveness, as it significantly lowers the need

in turn, raise the salary and training costs (Klophaus, Conrady, & Fichert, 2012). CribMaster is

the one that performs these functions on your behalf so that the workers can concentrate on

aircraft maintenance which is of a higher value rather than the routine administrative work. This

transition does more than merely cutting labor expenses; it also raises the staff's efficiency

because each of them can get more done during the same period (Rowley, 2017). Moreover, the

automated reporting functionalities also contribute to lowering audit costs as they give precise

data in real-time that are easily accessible for compliance checks (Alberto & Hoang, 2018). For

Accuracy

In the airline's industry, the accuracy of information is crucial. Inventory systems are not

only about the storage of tools but also the storage of data and information (Parker & Ahtamad,

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accurately to avoid mismatch of information and other inaccuracies. Inaccuracies in this industry

its inventory.

making. The system by real-time processing large sets of maintenance and inventory data

ensures that the teams have the exact resources available at the time when needed thus giving

rise to the least number of delays (Sharma & Garg, 2016). This accuracy is mainly for errors

prevention such as duplicate orders or the over-low use of stored equipment, which are both

types of mistakes that occur in traditional manual systems (Stein, 2013). In the case of an airline

like Jet2, where the low-cost business model works with very thin profit margins, the practice of

wastage must be completely avoided so that the company can survive in the long run. The

standards.

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CribMaster’s commitment to precision is also evident in its automated dispensing

based on accuracy (Smith et al., 2013). What it means for Jet2 to take up this system is that every

usage of the tools will be traceable, thus allowing the organization to establish a culture of

responsibility among employees. Moreover, such systems also lower the time that can be spent

on manual tracking of tools and thus workers can be engaged in other tasks that are, on the other

hand, the main tasks of the company; they can still assure a high level of inventory accuracy

(Dobruszkes, 2013). Additionally, the automated report generation serves as a source of the real-

time data for the audits and inspections, thus, it reduces the administrative burden and at the

same time, it increases the transparency. By the aid of CribMaster’s timestamped and

exceptionally precise records, Jet2 assures to meet all the necessary regulatory requirements

while also keeping its operational efficiency, thus, making it a strong competitor in the low-cost

compatible with standard usage and have less environmental impact, which is the aircraft that

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has been the subject of the industry-wide call for less polluting operations (Dobruszkes, 2013).

environmental responsibility and thus, score a point in the market where consumers utility of

cost vs sustainable airlines is becoming increasingly prevalent. CribMaster is, in fact, a way for

Jet2 to realize cost savings, improve efficiency, and show environmental accountability at the

same time.

It improves productivity

costs. Bud, Warren and Bell (2019) assert that this aspect has been its goal that has led to its

improvement in regard to performance and customer service delivery. The company also has

diverse departments that serves specific purposes and services for its customers. Cannella,

Dominguez and Framinan (2017) articulate that these departments require inventories relating to

its services to ensure that data and equipment needed are on point. This means that an on-point

inventory solution is required to ensure that the productivity per unit within the organization is

improved. CribMaster is the best solution for this on-point service delivery because with

CribMaster, its functionality is customized to meet the specific needs of the departments. It

combines access ease and precision in its services placing every information, data and tools

within reach in each department. This aspect of the CribMaster ensures that productivity

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increases since everything needed in each department is at each of the employees’ disposal and

maintenance schedules but also the whole flight operations. By the use of CribMaster’s

automated tracking and dispensing systems, Jet2 can comfortably make sure that departments

Such an uninterrupted workflow will be directly reflected in faster aircraft turnarounds that are

very important in the maintaining of the competitiveness of the low-cost carrier market. Manual

tracking processes are the most time-consuming part of a company’s work and an inevitable

source of errors. Automation has significantly lowered reliance on this type of work. In this case,

employees can do value-added work, for example, customer service or preventive maintenance.

Eventually, this will lead to organizational performance. Like that, CribMaster is not only

improving the availability of inventory but also creating a culture of efficiency and

Real-time service delivery

Real-time automation is the main goal of the new technologies and all technology

companies are seeking to achieve real-time experiences for all its customers. Companies on the

other hand, strive to equip its inventory systems with real-time high-end technologies that could

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these high-end real-time digital solutions is CribMaster inventory management software system.

Real-time inventory solutions such as CribMaster have the ability to impact positively

the decision-making process both at the operational and strategic levels. By communicating step-

Such data are crucial for locating inefficiencies, forecasting the future needs of participation and,

at the same time, making procurement processes flow more quickly through which savings on

waste and better service delivery can be achieved (CribMaster.com, 2019). Not only that but the

real-time data availability empowers managers as well as frontline staff to act swiftly and

effectively in case, for example, a shortage occurred or the usage trend is different from the

usual. In that way, least downtime as well as last-minute maintenance or flight delays can be

avoided. On top of that, any transaction is immediately recorded and can be verified which

Effective time management

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Time management is crucial in the running of big airlines since there are numerous

airplane information among others. In the end, it will manage to save time in its activities and

ensure that customers are never delayed because of poor inventory management.

functuon to automate scheduling and maintenance work flows, thus, the most important works

are accomplished in time without unnecessary manual supervision. The system with his

automatic alerts and tracking helps personnel be in time for the equipment servicing, tool

replacing, and meeting the requirements that are usually very time-demanding when executed

manually (Smith et al., 2013). As a result of the integration of predictive maintenance,

CribMaster is the reason that unexpected downtimes are reduced to a minimum and that the

resources needed are available in the exact time required (Owczarski, 2018). Moreover, through