How did an air traffic services company take business analytics to the next level?

EANS is upgrading its data analytics with Power BI to ensure smooth and safe air traffic. New dashboards help management make faster and more accurate decisions, providing flexibility and accurate data visualization.

Background and challenges

Estonian Air Traffic Services Company (EANS) is a company engaged in the management of airspace and air traffic control. Operating in one of the most advanced digital countries in the world, EANS is constantly looking for ways to ensure the smooth and safe operation of air traffic using modern technological solutions.
According to Kersti Kukemelk, an analyst at EANS, the company already had data analytics in place, but it was outdated – the systems were robust and lacked flexibility in data collection and analysis. Considering that the company collects and uses a very large volume of different data itself, it needed a more agile approach that would allow it to respond faster and more accurately to changes in air traffic.

Need and objectives

The need to update data analytics came from the entire organization – management needed up-to-date reports, the IT department needed better system management, and business areas needed more accurate and faster access to critical data. It was also important that all data was backed up to a central intermediate repository.
The main goal was to use data more actively and systematically to make management decisions and improve the quality of data visualization. To achieve this, it was decided to transfer data analytics solutions to the Power BI platform, which allows for the creation of flexible and visually understandable dashboards.

Solution selection and implementation

For EANS, the biggest challenge was the implementation process schedule – extensive work and unexpected obstacles stretched the schedule. The first stage focused on creating dashboards, followed by user training and developing new reports.
“The biggest challenge was time – unexpected situations and changing needs forced us to constantly adapt. At the same time, it was necessary to go through such a process, as well as to make sure that all parties were involved in the process – managers, analysts, and end users. Only in this way could we be sure that we were moving towards solutions that would truly benefit employees and the company as a whole.”

Results and Impact

Although the project is not yet fully completed, the results are already visible. Power BI’s interactive functionality has improved managers’ ability to make data-driven decisions faster and more accurately. New dashboards have become a daily tool in management meetings, helping to visualize developments and challenges in real time.
“The biggest benefit is the dynamism of Power BI – it allows us to customize reports as needed and get a faster overview of important indicators”

Lessons learned and future plans

If we were to start from scratch, EANS would have spent more time on detailed planning: more time should have been spent on needs analysis and being prepared for the unexpected.
In the future, the company plans to continue developing the Power BI solution, provide more training to users, and add new metrics and analysis capabilities.
“The recommendation for other companies is simple – don’t rush and involve managers early on who are good promoters and will help to successfully implement the implementation process across the organization.”

Summary

The journey of EANS in the transformation of business analytics clearly shows how a well-thought-out solution and internal collaboration can lead to better decisions and greater efficiency. Power BI is certainly supporting EANS' daily management process to become faster, more flexible and more data-driven. This is an important step forward in the future of air traffic management.
 

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