Three New Features Added to Aviation Safety Management Software

Feb. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) announced today that three new features are to be added in spring of 2013 to the popular Web based aviation safety management software SMS Pro. These features are to be integrated into four of the sixty plus modules currently in SMS Pro. SMS Pro has been used by airlines, airports, corporate aviation and aviation maintenance companies since January 2008.

SMS Pro was developed in 2007 for airlines and airports to manage regulatory requirements mandated by ICAO in November 2006. Formal aviation safety management systems are required by most aviation service providers around the world. SMS Pro's sixty plus modules cover requirements found in ICAO's four pillars, or components, namely:
• Safety Policy;
• Risk Management;
• Safety Assurance; and
• Safety Promotion.

More information about ICAO's four pillars can be found at http://www.asms-pro.com/SMS.aspx.

One of the new features for the Web based aviation safety management software deals with text notifications for more aviation safety related activities. Currently, SMS text messaging in SMS Pro is only incorporated when new airline or airports accidents and incidents are reported. NWDS CEO Christopher Howell stated that "there are many other opportunities for safety managers and department heads to receive instant notifications in their aviation safety management program. For example, when airline accidents and incidents require follow up investigations, a quick text message may be useful." This feature will not be forced upon airlines and airports unless they request it.

Another new feature for the Web based aviation SMS software deals with key performance indicators, Key performance indicators are used in business to track goals and objectives. Airlines and airports with advanced safety management systems use key performance indicators to track important types of issues by classification schemes. As a quick example, there may be many ways to classify a runway incursion that involved a snow removal vehicle and a 747 aircraft. We could classify the issue by people involved, environment, equipment, airport, etc. There could be dozens of ways to classify this airport/airline issue, but not all of these classifications may be important to the particular airline or airport at the given time period. Therefore, the important classification types could be called key performance indicators. Key performance indicators may also be called safety performance indicators in the aviation safety world.

The new SMS Pro feature will be automating tracking of key performance indicators against set objectives. This feature has been planned for two years. Since most airlines and airports using the Web based aviation safety management software are in the early phases of their SMS implementations, they are not sophisticated users of SMS Pro's advanced features. Therefore, NWDS believed there has been no hurry to add new key performance indicator tracking capabilities.

"Most airlines and airports require three to five years to fully implement their mandated aviation safety management systems. During the early years of their implementations, safety managers focus most of their energies on reactive risk management and change management. See http://www.aviation-sms.com for more information on aviation safety management systems.

The third feature that will be added to SMS Pro is intended to engage users in the airline or airports safety management program. Users will receive points for reporting airline or airport accidents and incidents. The details for this new feature will be kept secret until the software is released, as there are no other aviation safety management software programs using this proposed "social" technology.

SMS Pro is considered the most complete and affordable Web based aviation safety management software currently on the market. NWDS is known for customer service and robust, full featured aviation safety software that can be easily customized to airline operations. Airports, aviation maintenance, fixed based operators (FBO) and flight schools also use the Web based safety software to manage their aviation safety regulatory requirements.

About NWDS - founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services. NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial, defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. In 2007, NWDS developed SMS Pro™ a web based SMS application that supports an organization's overall SMS through safety reporting, safety documentation, safety risk management and safety assurance. SMS Pro™ is currently used by aviation organizations in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to help manage their SMS programs. NWDS continues to support SMS Pro™ and add new functionality. NWDS offers custom contract programming services in the U.S. and Canada and is managed by Chris Howell, one of the founders. Their headquarters is in Anchorage, Alaska. For additional information on NWD visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.