PBExpo Recap

During the last week of February, our Sales & Marketing team had the privilege of attending and exhibiting at PBExpo 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. Led by Partsbase and hosting over 400 booths, this event focused on Aviation Aftermarket Industry including: Airlines, MRO services and parts Distributors involved in buying or selling parts inventory throughout the aviation industry. We heard many valuable insights about the future of the industry– take a look at our recap below.

Alternative Parts

One of the biggest topics of conversation on the floor was the difficulty that many companies have with identifying certified alternative parts or OEM equivalent parts. Alternative parts can often be more readily available and can shorten turnaround times, ultimately reducing the overall cost of repairs and maintenance for airlines and aviation companies. In some cases, parts that are no longer manufactured by the original supplier may still be available through alternative sources, ensuring continuous operations. Having access to a centralized storage with reliable alternative parts information helps ensure these parts are certified, approved, and compliant.

Compliance Standards

There is no surprise that MRO companies have a heavy dependency on ensuring that any alternative parts used meet industry standards and regulatory requirements. Without a proper data governance strategy in place, companies may struggle to accurately check for certifications in a timely manner. Adhering to regulatory standards and industry practices is easier to do when the supply chain is well-maintained. 

Integrity of Supply Chain

In order to ensure that goods and services are delivered efficiently, safely, and on time, MRO companies must focus on preserving the integrity of their supply chain. Protecting the integrity of the supply chain by diversifying suppliers and sourcing regions reduces the risk of disruptions from political, economic, or natural events. Diversifying suppliers also simplifies finding substitutes and improves the ability to manage inventory effectively. Using automation technologies to track multiple suppliers can help streamline processes, reduce human error, and speed up decision-making.

Benefits of PIM

Aviation companies use PartsBase, cloud-based platform software, primarily for managing and sourcing aviation parts and inventory. By pairing the use of PartsBase with Convergence Data PIM, companies will have more control over their data to ensure they are sourcing parts that meet industry standards and regulatory requirements. Having enriched and compliant data will also allow aviation leaders to make informed decisions about part ordering, stock management, and pricing strategies.

Shifting Technologies

One of the biggest hurdles that aviation companies face is outdated data management strategies. The transition from traditional to digital operations is slow, with resistance from long-established businesses. Although modern systems integrate part numbers and descriptions more efficiently, many companies are still using Excel spread sheets to track their inventory. As technology continues to advance, a preference is growing for e-commerce solutions where customers can search, order, and track parts online.

Overview

Aviation and aerospace companies face challenges in identifying certified alternative or OEM equivalent parts, but these alternatives can help reduce turnaround times and maintenance costs. MRO companies rely heavily on ensuring that alternative parts meet industry standards and regulatory requirements, and without a strong data governance strategy, verifying certifications can be difficult. To maintain a smooth operation, MRO companies must focus on preserving the integrity of their supply chains by diversifying suppliers and sourcing regions to help prevent disruptions. Using automation to track suppliers can streamline processes and reduce errors. By integrating PartsBase with Convergence Data PIM, aviation companies can better control data, ensuring they source compliant parts and make informed decisions on inventory, stock management, and pricing strategies.

Looking to learn more about how our team of over 200 data experts can help you to transform your data and your business operations? Contact us today! 📝