Adnan Mansur shares ADE’s journey to a stand alone MRO and how technology has informed the business’s success

After graduating with in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona, Adnan’s aviation industry career began at AirAsia, where he was responsible for overseeing aircraft and component diagnostics and analytics. He later became Digital Project Manager and, today is Head of Digital & Innovation Services at Asia Digital Engineering (ADE). Adnan’s work has helped pave the way for ADE to undergo a much-needed technological revolution and he remains passionate about solving complex problems with technology.

Aircraft IT: Your name, your job title, and the name of the business?

Adnan Mansur: Adnan Mansur, Head of Digital & Innovation Services, Asia Digital Engineering (ADE).

Aircraft IT: How did Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) get started?

AM: ADE’s journey began amidst the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had brought the aviation industry to its knees. During these challenging times, the leadership of Capital A Berhad realised the need to leverage its expertise to support the industry. It recognised the potential to build on the established excellence of AirAsia’s Engineering Department to create a dedicated MRO player. With over 20 years of experience serving the region’s largest low-cost airline, ADE was established to provide a muchneeded service to the aviation industry.

Aircraft IT: What is the guiding business principle that drives ADE?

AM: ADE was built on the principle of delivering exceptional end-to-end aircraft maintenance services to our clients. We aim to set new standards of quality and innovation in the industry by leveraging the expertise of a highly skilled professional team and cutting-edge technologies.

Aircraft IT: What has ADE’s greatest business achievement been to date, and why?

AM: Regarding ADE’s achievements, there have been notable milestones across various business areas, especially on the digital side. For instance, AEROTRADE, our B2B aviation marketplace, has accomplished impressive customer growth. To date, we have successfully onboarded 50 partners from across the globe and have uploaded $96 million worth of inventories in our marketplace, with frequent transactions happening daily. Our condition monitoring app, ELEVADE, has achieved a significant feat by launching with AirAsia and AirAsia X, allowing them to track the performance of critical components in their aircraft fleet. Meanwhile, our productivity management app, CASCADE, has achieved a noteworthy internal rollout and integration with AMOS, Workday and JIRA, as well as introducing a barcode scanner capability for task cards and work orders, along with features for shift and roster management. Additionally, ADE has successfully acquired AR and VR capability, and demonstrated a proof of concept in aircraft maintenance training that can be easily adopted in training schools and educational institutions.

Aircraft IT: What have been your disappointments, and what have you learned from them?

AM: Slow user adoption can be a challenge for businesses implementing new technology solutions. To improve user adoption, ADE has taken several steps, including:

Encouraging feedback and participation: we observed that users are more likely to adopt new technology if they have a say in the process. When we encourage feedback and participation, users feel more invested in the technology and more likely to use it.

Providing training and support: we realised that users might be hesitant to adopt new technology if they do not feel confident using it; hence, by providing training and ongoing support, users feel more comfortable and confident, which can increase adoption rates.

Communicating the benefits: users may be more likely to adopt new technology if they understand its benefits, such as increased efficiency or improved accuracy. We noticed that communicating these benefits clearly can motivate users to adopt the new technology.

Aircraft IT: In a sentence, how would you summarise what ADE does for aircraft maintenance customers?

AM: ADE provides exceptional aircraft maintenance services with a strong focus on leveraging advanced digital technology to optimise operational efficiency, reduce costs and enhance customer experience.

Aircraft IT: What do you feel will be the next big thing in maintenance Aviation IT?

AM: There are a few emerging trends that have the potential to revolutionize the aircraft maintenance industry in the near future. One of these is the increased use of big data analytics and predictive maintenance to anticipate and prevent maintenance issues before they occur. Additionally, augmented and virtual reality technologies could streamline maintenance operations, reduce costs, and enhance worker safety. Another trend is the growing adoption of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to produce parts and components on-site, reducing lead times and increasing efficiency. Finally, the use of drones and robotics for inspections and maintenance tasks in difficult-to-reach areas is another area with tremendous potential. Overall, the increasing integration of advanced digital technologies into maintenance operations is likely a key driver of innovation and transformation in the industry in the years to come.

Aircraft IT: What do you want your customers to say about ADE?

AM: ADE’s ultimate goal is to provide exceptional aircraft maintenance services that exceed customer expectations. Ideally, we want our customers to say that working with ADE is a seamless, stress-free experience and that they can rely on us to deliver high-quality customized services to meet their specific needs. We want our customers to feel confident that they are receiving the most advanced and innovative solutions available and that they can trust us always to put their needs first. In short, we want our customers to view ADE as a reliable and trusted partner for all their aircraft maintenance needs.

Aircraft IT: Adnan Mansur, thank you for your time.