As an extension to our IFEC data intelligence services, we are pleased to reveal details of enhancements to our quarterly in-flight entertainment and in-flight connectivity trackers.
Background
In 2016, to supplement our in-depth annual deep dive into the in-flight connectivity (IFC) market, Valour Consultancy launched a quarterly tracker product designed to keep those with a vested interest in the area updated on installation activity and key trends.
One year later, we announced a similar product, which tracks the market for wireless in-flight entertainment (W-IFE) systems. Both trackers were the first of their kind and have proved to be extremely popular with our client base, which, we’re proud to say, consists of a “who’s who” of the IFEC and cabin technology value chain.
Enhanced IFEC data granularity
Not content to rest on our laurels, and in keeping with our ongoing commitment to continually improve and adapt, both products have undergone a transformation in 2020. The quarterly IFC tracker, for example, has been hugely expanded to show the total addressable market of aircraft that have not yet installed a system and are not currently earmarked to have one fitted in future. As a result of the massive disruption caused by COVID-19, we also added a new feature allowing users to see which connected aircraft are currently active, versus those that are grounded. The quarterly W-IFE tracker saw the “W” dropped as we expanded our focus to the entirety of the IFE market, providing data on seatback and overhead IFE system equipage, in addition to wireless. Another addition to the IFE data was the inclusion of server and WAP manufacturers for each deployment.
New IFEC data dashboard
The biggest change, however, is the way in which we present this data. For the last four years, subscribers have received an Excel workbook containing current and historic data, as well as a PowerPoint summary detailing key announcements during the reporting period and its effect on the numbers contained within. Starting with the IFC tracker, we’ve now created an additional online user-friendly dashboard that allows clients to better visualise and interact with the data. It includes:
- Dynamic charts that allow you to remove specific data and export them to JPEGs for your presentations
- Raw quarterly data that can be filtered based on your query and exported to CSV or Excel
- Raw addressable market data that can be filtered based on your query and exported to CSV or Excel
We’re in the process of bringing to life our IFE data in the same way and starting in 2021, we’ll also begin to dive more deeply into the type of content being provided on wireless systems. This is especially important as the “E” in IFE moves away from entertainment in the traditional sense of the word and more about maximising engagement with passengers. To this end, you’ll soon be able to see whether a system shows movie/TV content, as well as games, ePublications/eBooks, destination content, seat-to-seat chat, music/other audio, buy-on-board, plus whether or not it forms the basis of an IFC portal too.
Plans for the future
Looking ahead, we’ve every intention of continuing to modernise our deliverables to generate better insight in a more efficient way. What subscribers see today is stage one of this process and further enhancements will be made incrementally in the future. Indeed, we’re close to finalising a partnership that will give us the ability to provide IFE and IFC equipage down to the tail level. More information on this important development will be provided via the usual channels in due course.
If you’d like any additional information on these trackers or if you have any thoughts or feedback on other improvements that we could make, then we’d be delighted to hear from you. And if you’d like to arrange an online demonstration to take a closer look at what we have to offer, then please let us know. We can be reached at info@valourconsultancy.com.
