IFS acquires EmpowerMX to bolster its aviation sector offering

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provider IFS has agreed to acquire EmpowerMX, a vendor of software for managing aircraft maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), adding to the capabilities of its fleet service management suite for the aviation sector.

IFS already offers software for MRO providers and airlines, including end-to-end aircraft management for maintenance, repairs, operations (MRO) enterprises, defense contract management, and ERP for aerospace and defense organizations.

“This acquisition strengthens the IFS offering for complex maintenance processes, which have to work within a highly regulated environment as they are a part of the aviation sector,” said Aly Pinder, research vice president at market research firm IDC.

EmpowerMX, which is a business management software provider for airlines, defense, and enterprises that offer MRO services, will aid IFS in reaching more customers and offer more industry-specific specialized services, Pinder explained.

The company’s software suite helps with tasks such as configuration management, supply chain management, heavy maintenance, and planning, among others.

CIOs involved in the sector are keen to implement similar tools as they face multiple challenges such as supply chain disruption, labor and skills shortages, capacity shortfall, and compliance, all impacting operational efficiency and profitability, Pinder said.

Software like that of IFS and EmpowerMX can provide contextualized and real-time insights that are needed to ensure efficient operations, minimal downtime, and reduction in the costs to maintain assets, Pinder explained.

The acquisition will be a two-way street, as existing EmpowerMX customers will be able to leverage AI capabilities from IFS to maximize asset availability, the companies said in a statement.

Pinder also noted that the EmpowerMX acquisition will help IFS boost its fleet service management  suite.

“The dynamics of this segment continue to shift as vendors strategize around a horizontal go-to-market strategy or an industry approach or hybrid strategy,” Pinder said.