Case Study: Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Management System for Airport Operations
Case Study: GSE Systems
Overview
We developed a specialized Ground Support Equipment (GSE) management platform to support ground operations
at airport terminals, helping manage the full lifecycle of GSE assets — from deployment and maintenance to
inventory tracking and personnel assignment.
Designed for airport operators and aviation contractors, the system centralized all ground operations data
into a single platform and replaced fragmented tracking spreadsheets and disjointed communication workflows.
At a Glance
- 🛠 Fleet tracking of tugs, belt loaders, air starters, GPUs, and more
- 📦 Parts & maintenance inventory management
- 👷 Personnel management with shift assignments and certifications
- 📍 Real-time location and service status visibility
- 📋 Preventive maintenance scheduling and compliance
- 🗃 Role-based access across departments and operations
The Challenge
Ground operations teams were managing a complex, multi-terminal fleet using outdated tools such as:
- Whiteboards, spreadsheets, and static databases
- Manual check-in/out processes
- Fragmented communications between maintenance, dispatch, and shift leads
This led to key challenges:
- Poor real-time visibility into equipment status and location
- Missed preventive maintenance cycles, resulting in breakdowns and downtime
- Inventory inaccuracies, including lost or duplicate parts
- Lack of accountability around personnel assignments, vehicle use, and inspection logs
- No way to track service history or generate performance reports across facilities
The Solution
We designed and implemented a modular GSE fleet management system using modern web technologies and a scalable backend.
The solution gave airport operations a centralized command center to track, deploy, and maintain ground support assets.
Core Modules & Features
🛻 Equipment Fleet Manager
- Real-time status tracking for every piece of ground equipment
- Custom attributes for equipment type, condition, location, assigned gate, and availability
- QR/barcode integration for check-in/out, inspections, and service records
📦 Inventory Control
- Manage parts, consumables, and tools by location
- Min/max thresholds, reorder alerts, and inventory audit logs
- Tied to maintenance records for automatic part consumption
🧰 Maintenance & Service Scheduler
- Preventive maintenance logic based on usage hours, mileage, or calendar intervals
- Work order creation and tracking with status, assignments, and technician notes
- Service history reports and compliance logs
👷 Personnel Manager
- Assign operators, techs, and supervisors by shift or equipment group
- Store credentials, certifications, and training expiration dates
- Performance and usage logs linked to equipment assignments
📊 Reporting & Dashboard
- Live operational dashboard for active equipment, OOS units, and service queues
- Custom filters by terminal, equipment type, or service category
- Exportable reports for compliance, usage, and downtime metrics
Results & Impact
- 📍 Gained real-time visibility into 100% of GSE inventory and location
- 🧾 Cut maintenance-related downtime by 40% through predictive scheduling
- 🛒 Improved inventory accuracy with automated part consumption tracking
- 👷 Streamlined shift transitions and personnel accountability
- 📊 Enabled data-driven planning for capital replacement and utilization improvements
Key Innovations
- Modular architecture with independent subsystems for equipment, inventory, and staff
- Real-time status updating and mobile-friendly inspection workflows
- Smart maintenance triggers based on usage data, not just time intervals
- Unified data access for maintenance, dispatch, and operations leaders
Technology Stack
| Component | Technology |
|---|---|
| Frontend | Razor Pages, JavaScript, Bootstrap |
| Backend | .NET Core / C# |
| Database | SQL Server |
| Email/SMS | SMTP for alerts, optional Twilio integration |
| Security | Role-based access control, encryption at rest |
| Hosting | IIS with on-premise or cloud deployment support |
