Learn why convergence is critical to
Convergence is the process of traditionally distinct industries, technologies, or business functions coming together to create new opportunities, capabilities, or efficiencies.
Convergence gives industries, organizations, and people the technical and operational foundation required for successful, scalable digital change.
Driven by digital transformation and innovation, strategic growth, and customer demands–convergence breaks down operational and data silos at four primary levels:
- Process Convergence: distinct processes and workflows connect across a company for improved efficiency, teamwork, and strategic growth.
For example, at Delta Airlines’ LaGuardia operations, Searidge successfully consolidated two ramp control towers into one facility, streamlining workflows and enabling efficiencies across the airline’s operations. - Technology Convergence: technologies such as IoT, cloud computing, AI, and automation merge, creating new solutions and use cases.
For example, Manchester Airport’s partnership with NATS and Searidge introduces a hybrid digital control tower, combining camera arrays, radar overlays, and Chorus, our open platform. The convergence of advanced video, sensor, and analytics technologies enhances capacity, optimising airport ground operations, and improves on time performance.
- Data/Information Convergence: traditionally siloed data and information is accessible across the company and industry.
For example, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), our open platform, Chorus, enables sharing of real-time and historical operational data across airside, tower, and apron management. This data ecosystem supports A-CDM and enhances performance monitoring to drive improved efficiencies, safety, and wider ATM network. - Industry Convergence: distinct industries connect, blurring historical boundaries to create new products, services, and opportunities for growth.
For example, at HKIA, the Chorus platform eliminates boundaries across airlines, emergency services, security, ground handling operators, baggage handlers, catering supply services, and stand and apron management teams to create an IT environment that is safer, more efficient, and delivers cohesive passenger-centric services.
“The suggestion is not to consolidate airports and air navigation service providers into one entity,
rather, in the next few years there’s going to be a lot more technology convergence
where common data is being shared across different ecosystems that will
enable stakeholders to provide a better service, whether more efficient, safer or more cohesive.”
Searidge CEO and Co-founder, Moodie Cheikh
Why Convergence Is Critical To Digital Transformation
Convergence allows ANSPs, airlines, and airports to succeed in their digital transformation journey.
It provides the integrated systems, unified data, and operational alignment to unlock the benefits of digital transformation including efficiency, innovation, resilience, and agility:
- Breaking Down Silos enabling the organization-wide changes required for successful digital transformation.
- Enabling Real-Time Decision-Making for faster, smarter decisions to improve safety and customer experiences.
- Creating An Innovation Environment essential to the organizational and company-wide ethos that opens minds to change, process improvement, and technological adoption.
- Building Resilience and Agility with integrated and collaborative processes, people, and technologies.
Digital transformation leverages the benefits of convergence—integrated data, connected systems, and new digital capabilities, to change how ANSPs, airports, and airlines deliver value.
“Digital transformation is the foundation for continuous innovation, operational efficiency,
and industry-wide collaboration in aviation.”
Searidge Vice-President of Customer Solutions, Steve Hathway
Why An Open Platform Is Essential To Convergence
An open platform such as Chorus, gives ANSPs, airports, and airlines a seamless and innovative foundation that eliminates data and organizational silos,
system complexity, and fragmented communication and collaboration.
An open platform drives convergence in these five key ways:
- Secure, Real-Time Data Collaboration: a unified data ecosystem allows airports, ANSPs, and airlines to safely share data in real-time for collaborative decision-making
- Modular Architecture: easily upgrade, expand, or integrate new tools and systems without the inconveniences that come with vendor lock-in
- Built-In Multi-Tenancy and Data Privacy: stakeholder data is segregated by default, allowing for a secure and controlled data convergence with data integrity at the forefront
- Scalability and Future-Proofing: with no limits on operational and technological growth, an open platform can grow and flex as the industry evolves
- Continuous Improvement: the seamless integration of new technologies ensures that as your operations become more complex, you’re not left behind struggling to adapt
Hong Kong International Airport, Delta Airlines at LaGuardia, and Manchester Airport are just a few examples of how a willingness to adapt to new technologies and ways of collaborating and communicating are translating into measurable gains in safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility.
- Read Convergence, Collaboration, and a Common Technology Platform
- Read What Is A Platform?
- Learn more about Manchester Airport’s Digital Transformation
- Learn more about Hong Kong International Airport’s Digital Transformation Journey
- Dig deep with Aviation’s Digital Transformation: How A Platform Enables Digital Transformation
- Have questions about convergence? Contact us to talk about how convergence and an open platform benefit your entire organization