From Monoliths to Modules: The Strategic Imperative for Multi-Vendor ATM

An article by Magnus Mar Thordarson CEO at Tern Systems

Air Traffic Management (ATM) is undergoing a much-needed transformation. While new technologies promise greater efficiency, scalability, and safety, progress has often been slow. Complex, monolithic systems dominate the landscape, leading to vendor lock-in and limited innovation.

A promising solution is Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). Yet, the meaning of SOA can vary widely depending on whom you ask—a topic we’ll explore in more detail in upcoming articles. SOA is a modular software design approach. It breaks large systems down into smaller, independent services. This allows ANSPs to integrate best-in-class components from multiple vendors rather than relying on a single supplier. SOA fosters interoperability, reduces costs, and accelerates innovation.

This kind of transformation is neither new nor unique. Other critical industries have already experienced similar shifts:

• Telecommunications: Previously dominated by single, large providers, this industry adopted modular, open systems. The result was greater competition, lower costs, and rapid technological innovation.

• Banking and Financial Services: Transitioning from large, proprietary mainframe systems to modular fintech solutions has revolutionized this sector, improving customer service and efficiency.

Similarly, SESAR Joint Undertaking and several forward-thinking ANSPs are recognizing SOA's potential to support flexible, scalable ATM environments. At Tern Systems, we are aligning closely with this vision through collaboration with various industry partners. Importantly, SOA also opens the door for smaller suppliers to contribute specialized modules, enhancing agility and encouraging fresh thinking—essential during this era of rapid technological change.

Yet, adopting SOA isn’t without challenges. Transitioning away from familiar, all-in-one solutions requires significant investment in new skills and infrastructure, careful management of operational risks, and a substantial shift in organizational culture. Many ANSPs hesitate to disrupt established systems, but that status quo can no longer keep pace with the industry’s evolving needs.

The Role of ANSPs: Leading the Change

To make multi-vendor ecosystems a reality, ANSPs must lead. It’s not enough to hope vendors will collaborate—they must create an environment that fosters innovation and incentives for openness and interoperability.

To enable multi-vendor solutions, ANSPs can:

• Clearly establish procurement strategies that prioritize modularity and openness.

• Reward open, modular proposals during procurement processes.

• Advocate for common industry-wide interoperability standards.

• Support joint development projects involving multiple vendors.

• Offer long-term commitments to vendors aligned with open architectures.

By taking these steps, ANSPs can unlock a dynamic marketplace where innovation thrives, costs are controlled, and operational resilience is strengthened. This shift will also rebalance industry power dynamics, moving influence away from dominant vendors and back to ANSPs, where strategic control rightly belongs.

At the same time, it's critical that evolving regulatory frameworks—such as upcoming EASA regulations—do not unintentionally hinder innovation. These rules must support flexible, modular architectures and the inclusion of diverse suppliers. Regulatory clarity and alignment with technological progress are essential to realizing the full benefits of SOA and multi-vendor ecosystems.

Looking Ahead

This is a pivotal moment. With vision and leadership, ANSPs can shift the industry away from lock-in and toward collaboration, competition, and growth. Multi-vendor solutions supported by SOA aren’t just possible—they're essential.

I look forward to discussing this further at Airspace World 2025 in Lisbon, where we’ll explore how to build the future of ATM through vendor collaboration and SOA.

📌 Panel: Driving ATM Innovation Through Vendor Collaboration and SOA

📍 Location: Viasat Theatre, Lisbon

🗓️ Date: May 13, 2025 | 10:00 AM

Join us in shaping the future of ATM.

Polaris: Successful validation workshops

Polaris Validation Workshops with Isavia ANS

In February, validation workshops were conducted with Isavia ANS, where we invited air traffic controllers to evaluate the performance and functions of the Stripless version of Polaris.  The purpose was to validate implementation of concept changes to the ANS operations and major features through which it is achieved in the Polaris Product.

Validation trials like these offer a unique opportunity to collect user needs and feedback, ensuring that we are building the right product. We hosted three workshops in total, gathering valuable, insightful, and comprehensive feedback.

We were pleased to find that no major obstacles or problems were encountered. The workshop format was highly successful, with exercises designed to address many aspects of the new functions in the Stripless version. Air traffic controllers were able to test Polaris in "real-life" scenarios and experience how it can simplify air traffic management.

Observing air traffic controllers working with our systems is always a crucial milestone, and their feedback is invaluable for our future development.

One of the major results was that validations of this kind have proven its current and potential future role, by managing risks, building bridges between users and system providers and supporting informed decision making. 

Polaris ATM is a new Air Traffic Management System from Tern Systems designed to meet the demands of increasing air traffic in the future. Polaris offers a highly configurable user interface and advanced functionalities that enable users to manage complex operations with ease, enhancing operational performance, safety, and decision-making in high-pressure environments. Currently the Polaris ATM system is being developed and adapted for Isavia ANS and HungaroControl. Polaris will be deployed as a backup ATM system in Hungary in 2026 and as the primary system for approach over Keflavik and Reykjavik airports also in 2026.

Ari Guðfinnsson becomes the new Director of Technology and Infrastructure at Tern Systems

We are pleased to announce that Ari Guðfinnsson has been hired as the Director of Technology and Infrastructure. This is a new position within the organisation which is intended to sharpen the technology strategy, increase efficiency in software development, and to maximise the quality and reliability of the systems that Tern Systems delivers to its customers who operate in a strictly regulated environment.

"I am grateful for the trust shown in me with this appointment and excited to tackle new technical challenges in the development of our ATM systems. We live in times of great change, and within them lie exciting opportunities for us at Tern Systems," says Ari.

Ari has worked at Tern Systems for over 13 years and has held various technical positions related to the development of solutions for air traffic control, making him more familiar with the company's operations than most. Ari studied computer science and cognitive science at the University of Skövde and began his career in software development, where he worked on the development of radar and flight data processing systems. In recent years, Ari has worked as a technical product lead, and in that role, he has overseen product architecture and technical strategy within Tern Systems. 

“I have followed Ari's professional journey and am thrilled to welcome him to this new role at Tern Systems. Ari’s extensive knowledge of our operations and our product portfolio will be vital in supporting our growth and innovation. This appointment underscores our commitment to meeting the rigorous quality and safety standards of the aviation industry,” says Magnus Thordarson, CEO of Tern Systems.

Tern Systems designs and builds Air Traffic Management (ATM) software solutions, with nearly three decades of deliveries to customers across Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. Tern Systems is an established provider of Air Traffic Control solutions with headquarters in Iceland and offices in Hungary and Poland.