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Recovering employee devices, especially from flight crews, can be tough. Apkudo provides an automated and transparent device recovery program for the leading global airline's pilots and flight attendants. This program helps the airline, which deploys a high number of devices, efficiently manage device recovery from its dispersed workforce.
Electronic flight bags (EFBs) have replaced traditional flight bags, providing pilots with essential digital tools for flight planning, navigation, and weather monitoring. Airlines maintain device upgrade schedules to ensure pilots have the latest EFB technology, typically tablets. This necessitates a process for securely managing the lifecycle of these devices, including data erasure and preparation for reuse, recycling, or resale when new tablets are deployed.
In 2019, the airline sought a more effective EFB recovery solution, moving away from a transactional process lacking compliance and tracking. Dissatisfied with inconsistent data from multiple sources, they sought recommendations from other airlines. Following a successful partnership with Apkudo, another leading airline facilitated an introduction. Impressed by Apkudo's AI-powered Recover software and their understanding of the airline industry's complexities—particularly the need for scalability to support 25,000 global pilots—the airline readily chose to partner with Apkudo.
The airline's device recovery program faced significant challenges, including manual tracking of EFB returns, inconsistent follow-ups with pilots, and a lack of visibility into compliance. To address these issues, program managers envisioned an automated system that would streamline the return process, offer seamless tracking, provide an employee purchase option, and operate efficiently at a large scale.
Apkudo's Recover software emerged as the solution, offering comprehensive automation and tracking capabilities for device recovery and disposition. By understanding the airline's specific challenges and objectives, Apkudo's team configured the platform with the necessary data to initiate the transformation.
Apkudo's Recover software guides employees through the device return process—and an easier process leads to higher return rates.
The implementation of Recover software revolutionized the device return process. For the first time, device tracking and end-user communication became fully automated. The software's robust reporting features provided managers with valuable insights into compliance rates, overall program effectiveness, and environmental impact.
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The return process was designed to be user-friendly for pilots. By logging into the Recover software with their employee ID, they were guided through clear steps to either return or purchase their assigned device.
Regardless of the pilot's decision, all returned devices were securely processed for data erasure. Program managers gained real-time visibility into the return process through shipment tracking and could promptly identify and remotely lock any unreturned devices.
Leveraging its deep understanding of device reverse logistics, Apkudo's Recover software seamlessly integrates with device processing facilities, providing managers with end-to-end visibility. Following the successful execution of two EFB recovery initiatives for pilots, the program was extended to flight attendants' mobile phones, with one refresh completed and another planned, highlighting the collaborative and proactive partnership between Apkudo and the airline.
Since 2020, Apkudo has facilitated the recovery of over 110,000 devices from the airline's pilots and flight attendants, generating millions in returns.
The program boasts an impressive 98% average recovery rate, exceeding expectations due to the user-friendly interface designed for employees. This efficient experience, automation, and enhanced data visibility have accelerated the device recovery process.
Apkudo's established relationships with the airline's reseller and processing partner further streamlined operations, ensuring the faster movement of devices to the secondary market and mitigating asset depreciation.
This highly successful device recovery program, characterized by high return rates and strong employee engagement, significantly bolsters the airline's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.
By prioritizing recycling, reuse, and resale, the airline has demonstrably reduced its carbon footprint and landfill waste. Apkudo's platform provides managers with comprehensive, real-time reports, offering valuable insights into the environmental impact of these impactful programs.
Beyond device recovery, Apkudo collaborates with the airline to support aspiring aerospace professionals from under-resourced backgrounds. This partnership includes the donation of more than 900 retired iPads to the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), a nonprofit educational organization, with Apkudo contributing its services for the device recovery process.
In just a few years, the airline transformed its device returns from a manual, opaque process to a highly automated system with exceptional visibility and reporting, unmatched in the industry for effectiveness and scale.
Automate employee device recovery
Increase corporate data security
Measure circularity impacts in Scope 3 emissions
Streamline the end-user experience
110,000+ devices recovered
United States
The customer is a leading global airline, offering thousands of flights each day to more than 350 destinations in 60 countries.
