High document quality in compliance with safety standards:
Condor uses XR/aviation, an editorial management system solution from gds

Partnership with Condor Flugdienst GmbH
Straightforward creation of Operations Manuals
XR/aviation and ARC-Desk for audit-proof task completion

Sassenberg, February 23, 2021 – Structured, integrated, and reliable: There are stringent requirements that have to be met for Component Content Management Systems (CCMS) in the aviation industry. This is essentially because special legal and quality-related specifications have to be implemented in the Technical Documentation. With XR/aviation and ARC-Desk, gds is offering solutions that have been successfully implemented in collaboration with Condor Flugdienst GmbH. Thanks to an open architecture and an XML-based information management system, both systems can either be used individually or in combination with one another to form a powerful overall system.

“XR/aviation is the optimum solution for the aviation industry,” says Klaus Fenchel, who is responsible for the area of Aviation and Defence at gds GmbH. Using the CCMS from gds helps ensure compliance with complex regulatory requirements and safety standards. In addition to XR/aviation, Condor is also using the web-based reviewing system ARC-Desk. “We were able to shorten the system introduction phase since Condor is using both systems as an SaaS solution. There were no costs for the installation or the hardware,” explains Fenchel. gds simply configured the systems according to the requirements to be met by the airline and then enabled usage.

Modular, intuitive and efficient: XR/aviation and ARC-Desk

XR/aviation is a modular, open XML-based documentation system for airlines to create their Operations Manuals. A core feature is the tagging of aircraft-specific parts of information. XR/aviation enables filtering the information presented on the tablets of the cockpit and cabin crews so that only the information relevant to their aircraft is displayed. Another essential function is determining and displaying the change(s) between the current version and the previous version.

ARC-Desk can help significantly improve managing change requests. The web-based platform allows all document reviewers to review a document at the same time, add comments and discuss changes. Review processes based on papers and documents are no longer required. The user interface features an intuitive design so that all reviewers can directly contribute their comments regardless of their technical knowledge and without having to be trained. Regulatory authorities can reliably track changes made, thus accelerating the document review and approval process.

Handling of complex tasks thanks to a combination package

“XR/aviation has proven itself capable as early as during our IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) shortly after its introduction. Using XR/aviation in combination with the reviewing system ARC-Desk optimally complements the product, and by mid-2021, this will ensure more effective and audit-proof task completion concerning the documentation,” explains Rabea Köhnke, Head of Quality & Compliance Monitoring Management at Condor. “When these tools are applied in combination they enable the seamless drafting and review of documentation content without the need to change to other media platforms. Ensuring legal compliance, the automatic tracking of changes and an integrated communication process are the features that significantly facilitate creating aviation-specific documentation. Moreover, we truly appreciate the open and constructive collaboration with our partner gds.”

The reason for introducing the solution provided by gds was the company’s change from outsourcing the documentation production to in-house service provision. The XR/aviation training took place online and in line with coronavirus rules as will be the case for the continued collaboration regarding the expansion of the compliance component.