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Questions? Reach out to Sarah Pilli, VP, AAAE Services, at sarah.pilli@aaae.org.
Case Study by AAAE:
As Boise Airport (BOI) reported significant inefficiencies due to a manual, paper-based badge application process. This process was not only error-prone but also slowed down operations. According to Christy Shaw, the Credentialing Supervisor at BOI, each fingerprint appointment took around 15 minutes. With a small team handling over 8,000 appointments annually, the airport recognized the need for a more effective approach to streamline its processes and boost operational efficiency.
AAAE had received similar feedback from many small and medium-sized airports, expressing the need for advanced automation. However, budget constraints and limited staff resources made it difficult for many to maintain the customized identity management solutions available in the market. Recognizing this challenge, AAAE partnered with AirBadge, a standout provider in the airport identity management space. AirBadge’s cloud-based, non-custom solution was designed for quick deployment, reducing the burden on airports and offering a more scalable solution.
“AAAE’s partnership with AirBadge was born from our commitment to advocating for airport interests and identifying innovative, airport-driven solutions that can scale. By allowing Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) airport partners to add AirBadge’s services onto their TSC service agreements, we worked together to create a new option for airports like BOI that are eager to leverage forward-thinking solutions to optimize their credentialing operations,” said Sarah Pilli, Vice President of AAAE Services.
By partnering with AirBadge, BOI transitioned from disconnected systems to a cohesive, end-to-end solution, dramatically improving its operational efficiency.
Results and Benefits
Boise Airport saw significant improvements after implementing AirBadge. The time for fingerprint appointments was reduced from 15 minutes to just 5 minutes. The integration enabled seamless training and compliance management. One year after the system’s initial implementation, BOI has reported numerous benefits:
- Automated report generation
- Simplified badge management
- Enhanced compliance standards
AAAE’s partnership with AirBadge not only addressed BOI’s immediate needs but also set a benchmark for future improvements in identity management within the aviation industry.
Implementation Phases
The project was rolled out in the following phases:
- Contracting
AAAE facilitated the addition of AirBadge’s services to BOI’s existing AAAE service agreements for aviation worker vetting and training. - Data Reconciliation and Testing
BOI, AAAE, and AirBadge worked together to merge over 9,000 active accounts and establish a dedicated test environment. - Launch of Integrated Solution
The integrated solution between AAAE’s TSC, AirBadge, and BOI’s Access Control System went live in September 2023. - Project Planning and Requirements Gathering
- Training of Airport Badging Staff and Authorized Signatories
- Expansion of Integration
In April 2024, the integration was expanded to include AAAE’s Interactive Employee Training (IET) records.