Case Study: INFORM GmbH achieves improved airport shuttle service efficiency with Advantech's TREK-powered GroundStar solution

The Intelligentization of Airport Shuttle Buses Improves Service Efficiency

INFORM GmbH, a German systems integrator, faced the challenge of transforming airport shuttle buses from simple transport vehicles into intelligent, service-enhancing assets that improve passenger experience, safety, and operational efficiency. To build its GroundStar fleet management system, INFORM partnered with Advantech and adopted Advantech’s TREK series in-vehicle computers as the core hardware to deliver real-time vehicle data, driver interfaces, passenger information displays, and centralized dispatch capabilities.

Using Advantech’s TREK hardware integrated with GroundStar software, INFORM deployed passenger counters, tire-pressure monitoring, CAN-bus data collection, onboard cameras, touch-panel driver interfaces, and in-vehicle/public displays to enable real-time monitoring, dynamic dispatch, and enhanced passenger communications. The solution improved service quality and regulatory compliance, optimized fleet utilization, and enabled remote monitoring and emergency support; according to INFORM GmbH, airports can recoup implementation costs in as little as three months with long-term savings up to €20 million (≈US$23 million), as demonstrated at major hubs such as Zurich and Frankfurt.

INFORM GmbH