Monday, April 29, 2013

Aircraft/Pilot Scheduler Enhancements in SMS Pro


Airline/Airport Safety Management Software Enhancements


SMS Pro's aviation safety management software recently included an optional Aircraft Pilot Scheduler. While this module was designed for scheduling aircraft and pilots, there were many other uses that airlines and airports were making of the module, such as posting manager vacations, special events, etc. 

As we can see, this first version of the Aircraft-Pilot Scheduler was flexibly designed to be used for more than simply scheduling pilots and aircraft. Each aviation safety management portal can implement more than one scheduler, depending on the purpose, such as vacation for managers, key maintenance activities, etc.

Aircraft Pilot Scheduler Became Instant Hit in Aviation SMS Portal

This Aircraft-Pilot Scheduler became popular immediately. Many airlines and airports asked for the module and some asked for multiple pages, where each page held a specific topic.

Aircraft Pilot Scheduler in Aviation Safety Management Software
Per user request, Aircraft Pilot Scheduler has received some enhancements this week.
  1. Configurable types of users for dropdown lists (Pilots, Maintenance, Dispatch, etc).
  2. Two users can be selected for an event, such as Pilot/Copilot;
  3. Configure default labels for aircraft/vehicles or Pilot #1 and Pilot #2; and
  4. Set default time zone for calendar events.

Details of Aircraft-Pilot Scheduler Enhancements

In the first version of Aircraft Pilot Scheduler, there was only one dropdown list of pilots to choose from to assign to a scheduled event. This second version contains two dropdown lists of people, so you can have a primary and an alternate.

Use Scheduler for More than Just Pilots

First version had users with the Pilot role listed in the user lists of the advanced scheduler options. SMS Admins can now choose the types of users to display for advanced scheduling options. These users can be customized roles, such as:
Aircraft Pilot Scheduler in Aviation Safety Management Software
Use Scheduler for More than Simply Pilots
  • Pilots;
  • Maintenance;
  • Ground Handling;
  • Dispatch; etc.

Alternatively, the scheduler can be configured to handle default SMS Pro safety roles, such as:
  • Safety Managers;
  • Department Heads;
  • Executives;
  • Auditors; or 
  • SMS Users.

Configurable Default Time Zone in Aircraft Pilot Scheduler

The first version of the Aircraft Pilot Scheduler had UTC GMT. Now SMS Admins can configure the default time zone for each scheduler. Each instance of the Aircraft Pilot Scheduler can have its own configured time zone setting.

How to Get the Aircraft Pilot Scheduler in Your Aviation Safety Portal

Aircraft Pilot Scheduler is an optional module that is included in SMS Pro's aviation safety management software by request only. If you want this module in your portal, simply notify techsupport@nwds-ak.com.

For more information on SMS Pro, see http://www.asms-pro.com


Aviation Safety Management Software


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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Aviation SMS Software in Chinese for Airlines & Airport Safety Management Systems

Aviation SMS Software in Chinese for Airlines & Airport Safety Management Systems

The aviation safety management software market has been dominated by airline and airport safety software for the English market. This has been the predominant trend because English is the international business language. 

SMS Pro is an exception. SMS Pro has been translated into Chinese: 
  1. Traditional; and 
  2. Simplified. 

Chinese Translation Completed for Aviation SMS Software

Roman Mikheev, senior software engineer for NorthWest Data Solutions in Anchorage, Alaska stated that, "One of our in-house software engineers is from Taiwan and was in charge of this translating task. Because we are working with two complete language translations, the task requires more work than necessary. Usually, we can translate SMS Pro into another language in approximately two weeks."

SMS Pro's Web based aviation safety management software has been available in: 
  • English; 
  • Spanish; 
  • French; and 
  • German. 

One can switch between languages by simply clicking the appropriate language choice. To learn more about SMS Pro, visit http://www.asms-pro.com

Next Expected Language for Aviation SMS Software--Portuguese!

Talks are underway with Brazilian companies to translate SMS Pro into Portuguese. This language pack is expected to be released in 2015.

SMS Pro 10-100 is available in English only. NorthWest Data Solutions has four servers around the world that support airlines, airports, flight schools, aviation maintenance and FBOs. Roman Mikheev continued, "...we now have two servers that has multi-lingual support, one in the United States and another in Europe. Interestingly, we had one client who refused our offer to translate SMS Pro into an Indonesian dialect because management wanted to encourage the use of English."

SMS Pro can be hosted on client servers or NWDS servers. Airlines and airports around the world have been using SMS Pro for over five years. 

"Customer service, flexibility, and a complete SMS solution is what customers and consultants find most attractive about SMS Pro," stated Roman Mikheev.

Those interested in exploring SMS Pro or learning more about aviation safety management systems are urged to visit http://www.aviation-sms.com.



Aviation Safety Management Software


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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

11 Free Aviation Safety Data Management Videos

List of 11 Free Aviation Safety Data Management Videos

These YouTube videos are very popular, from 350 to over 5500 views. They are all short...less than 5 minutes each. They are available at other places on the Web, but not in a list like this.

These videos discuss data management strategies and focus on best practices.

Aviation Safety Management Videos - Safety Data Management

#1 Introduction -  Safety Management System Software

#2 Distributed Data Management - Aviation Safety Management System Software

#3 Centralized Data Management - Aviation Safety Management System Software

#4 Elements Of Centralized Data Management  - Aviation Safety Management System Software

#5 Benefits of Centralized Data Management - Aviation Safety Management System Software

#6 Integrated SMS Dashboard & Issue Management - SMS Pro - Safety Management System

#7 Issue Manager (continued) - Risk Management SMS Pro - Safety Management System

#8 Classify Issue, Accident Investigation - SMS Pro - Safety Management System

#9 Reporting Trend Analysis - SMS Pro - Safety Management System

#10 Reporting Performance Monitoring - SMS Pro - Safety Management System

#11 Other Safety Risk Management Modules - SMS Pro - Safety Management 



More Aviation Safety Management Software Information

Aviation Safety Software Company
Aviation Safety Management Software by SMS Pro
Free Downloads Airline/Airport's Aviation SMS Software Resources (Checklists, Templates, Policies)






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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Aviation Safety Management Software - Email Attachments

Attach Emails and Attachments to Reported Issues

Modern Web-based enterprise risk management software allows managers to have all documentation in a centralized location. When auditors come sniffing around your safety program, stress naturally builds when safety managers are unable to produce required documentation.

SMS Pro has flexible work flow processes to document auditable risk management processes. In most cases, all the documentation stays with reported issues from the time the airline/airport accident, incident or irregularity is reported, until the issue is reviewed years later.

New Email Attachments' Features

New aviation safety management software features have been recently added to SMS Pro's airline/airport safety software. These features allow email attachments to be securely incorporated into the airline/airport safety management documentation during risk management processes. See http://www.asms-pro.com for more information on SMS Pro aviation safety management software.

When an aviation-related accident or incident is reported, safety managers often gather considerable documentation, such as
    aviation safety management software
  • Photos;
  • Videos;
  • PDFs;
  • Word Docs;
  • Text files, etc.

This documentation becomes "attached" to the issue either when the:
  • Issue has been reported;
  • Preliminary investigation is processed;
  • Formal investigation occurs;
  • Corrective actions are being managed; or
  • Issue has been reviewed during the monitoring process.

Attach Emails and Attachments to Reported Issues

Managers can now easily attach any email and the accompanying attachments to issues they are working on. This feature has been provided to SMS Pro clients in order to save managers' time while managing documentation from third parties, which often is accompanied with attachments.

Feature Reserved for Managers Only

  1. To attach emails to reported issues, you must be a safety manager or a department head.
  2. You can only attach emails to issues belonging to your aviation safety portal.
  3. You must know the convenience number of the reported issue.

How to Attach Emails to Reported Issues

  • Each company has a target-email to forward messages to be attached.
  • You must know your target email. Contact techsupport@nwds-ak.com if you don't know your target email.
  • You must know the issue number to which you wish to attach the email.
  • In the subject line, at the very end of the subject, add #xxx (xxx) is the issue number.
  • You must use the # tag
  • You must not put a space between the # tag and the issue number
    • "# xxx" is bad
    • "#xxx" is good
  • Forward the email and attachments to your target-email.
aviation safety management software

How Email Attachments Work

  • Every 30 minutes, SMS Pro reads the target emails to find new messages;
  • SMS Pro determines who sent the message (only valid users are permitted);
  • SMS Pro searches for the reported issue;
  • If reported issue exists, and the user is valid, then attachments are created.
  • Email messages are put into an HTML file and attached to issue;
  • All other email attachments act as normal issue attachments.


Note:
SMS Pro will import company logos that are included in signature lines. SMS Pro cannot discern between company logo attachments and other valid image attachments. When these company logos are imported, a manager will have to clean up these "unintended" attachments in the Issue Manager on the "Attachments" tab.






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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Free Aviation SMS Data Management Videos

Free Tutorial Videos on Aviation SMS Data Management


Here are some YouTube videos for best practices of managing aviation SMS data for airlines and airports. To learn more about this Web based aviation safety management software, see this link.




More Aviation Safety Management Software Information

Aviation Safety Software Company
Aviation Safety Management Software by SMS Pro
Free Downloads Airline/Airport's Aviation SMS Software Resources (Checklists, Templates, Policies)


Aviation Safety Management Software


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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

What Makes the Best Aviation Safety Management Software for Airlines & Airports

Looking for the Best Aviation Safety Management Software?

Many airlines and airports are searching for aviation safety management software to comply with ICAO SMS requirements. There are several attributes to look for when evaluating the best aviation SMS software tools.

Web Based Aviation Safety Software Ensures Global Access

The best aviation safety management software solutions can be accessed from any place at any time via Internet and are suited to airlines or airports of all sizes. These aviation SMS software solutions offer:

Best Aviation Safety Management Software for Airlines & Airports
  • Secure, convenient methods for aviation safety risk assessments;
  • All types of airline or airport audits or inspections;
  • Accident, incident, hazard reporting;
  • Email notifications to configured airline or airport personnel;
  • Corrective preventive action tracking; 
  • Automated trend analysis and alerts; and 
  • Escalation capabilities. 

The best aviation safety software helps your airline or airport ensure it remains compliant with the all ICAO and civil aviation authority legislation and standards. Flexible aviation SMS software:

  • Follows industry best practices;
  • Is quick to implement;
  • Is user-friendly and easy to use; and 
  • Is extremely cost effective.

Complete Aviation Safety Management Software Solution

Best Aviation Safety Management Software for Airlines & Airports
SMS Pro is known as one of the best aviation safety software programs on the market. For example, SMS Pro is offered either as "software as a service" (SaaS) or can be hosted on your airline or airport servers. When your airline or airport chooses the SaaS model as your aviation safety management software, you will have:

  • No capital expenditure on servers;
  • No internal software maintenance and management;
  • No need for backup software and storage;
  • Flexibility -Anyone with a browser can access SMS Pro;
  • Security - Secure Web servers managed by IT professionals.

Reliable Servers Required for Global Aviation Safety Management Software

When choosing aviation safety software that is provided as SaaS, ensure that the servers are managed 24/7/365 and monitored continuously. Automated alerts should be emailed to administrators whenever service is disrupted. These principles hold true even if you place SMS Pro on your airline or airport servers. The servers hosting the aviation safety software should be set up for pro-active maintenance so administrators know about faults before they develop. 

Disaster Recovery Plans Necessary for Aviation Safety Software

In the unlikely event of a problem, ensure your aviation safety software provider has a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that ensures the integrity of your airline or airport safety data. The best aviation safety software providers have redundant servers seamlessly available in the event of hardware failure. It is imperative that databases and files are regularly and automatically backed up. Automated alerts should also notify administrators that backups completed successfully.



Aviation Safety Management Software


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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Integrated Aircraft Weight & Balance Works in Offline Mode

Aircraft Weight & Balance Issues Affecting Aviation Safety

Many small aircraft operations have a recurring safety issue regarding performance of weight and balance activities before each mission. As most of us known  the weight of an aircraft and its balance are extremely important for safe aircraft operation. Manufacturers design aircraft with specifications identifying aircraft  maximum weight and the limits within which they must balance.

iphone ipad aircraft weight and balance app works in offline mode
Maximum allowable aircraft weight is determined by surface area of the wing and the amount of lift the wing will generate at safe operating air speeds. There are many tools available to help pilots calculate weight and balance.

Weight and balance is a safety issue. For aircraft operations with multiple aircraft and many pilots, how does management ensure that weight and balance is calculated before each mission? How is this documented?  How can management see which pilots are operating without performing their required weight and balance checks?

Integrated Weight & Balance in Your Aviation SMS Program


SMS Pro has a configurable Aircraft Weight & Balance module that works on an iPhone or iPad (or other smartphone). This module works even when connectivity to the Internet is lost. Administrators can configure all their aircraft with multiple configurations. As pilots perform their weight and balance exercise, visual cues indicate whether weight and balance are within the specified envelope.

Weight & Balance Can Be Performed in Offline Mode


Once weight and balance has been entered (PAX, cargo, fuel), the user submits the form. If the user has no Internet connectivity, the form is saved on the device. When Internet connectivity returns, the saved items are pushed to the server.

iphone ipad aircraft weight and balance app works in offline mode
To see this iPhone Aircraft Weight & Balance App in action, see this link.

Test Drive the Aircraft Weight & Balance App


Additional Resources for Aircraft Weight & Balance

Aircraft Weight & Balance Chapter 4






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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Flight Safety Software Solutions


Flight Safety Management Software Helping Everyone Stay Safe

SMS Pro's advanced safety information and reporting solution has been designed by aviation safety professionals specifically for the aviation industry. SMS Pro monitors airline and airport safety data, enabling safety managers to quickly and accurately identify potential areas of concern.

flight management software for airlines sms programs
SMS Pro efficiently captures aviation-safety related data and stimulates safety promotion within the airline or airport. Aviation accidents, incidents and irregularities enter SMS Pro's aviation risk management  system as reported issues, which can include many types issues, including safety, security, quality, compliance and environmental. All reported issues are stored in an enterprise grade Microsoft SQL Server database for risk management activities such as corrective preventive action management and trend analysis.

SMS Pro analyses accumulated safety information in real time and helps detect patterns and trends which are significant or may become significant. Relevant safety results can be transmitted securely and in real time to safety managers within the airline or airport and can be shared with other stakeholders.

Advanced trending and analysis tools equip SMS Pro users with all the information they need to adopt preventative control measures and strategies that target identified hazards appropriately.

Business Benefits of Aviation Safety Software


aviation flight management software for airlines sms programs
  • Supports an open, non-punitive reporting culture encouraging employees to report identified hazards or other safety-related issues without fear of recrimination 
  • Identifies risk areas through charts and graphs 
  • Transforms MS Excel spreadsheet and paper-based systems into fast, efficient automated processes
  • Answers all database queries quickly and accurately in real time
  • Supports advanced safety investigation processes
  • Provides user-friendly, highly detailed audit trail 
  • Provides quick and efficient flow of information to all managers 
  • Facilitates exporting data into various file formats
  • Easily customized options without IT support makes SMS Pro highly adaptable to meet organizational needs 
  • Manages all personnel associated with reported incident or subsequent investigations
  • Organizations  able to customize their own risk matrix or use default industry standard risk matrices
  • Users can report issues even while offline
  • User-friendly, intuitive interface reduces training requirements 
  • Easily administered and configured without IT support
  • Manages routine audits and inspections
  • Interfaces easily with other applications using industry standards

Key Aviation Safety Management System Features 


Collects and managing airline and airport safety data
Data-entry personnel can enter reports on behalf of others
Users enter data through a comprehensive range of incident reporting forms.

More information about SMS Pro's aviation safety management software can be found at http://www.asms-pro.com



Aviation Safety Management Software


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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

10 Reasons to Use SMS Pro's Aviation Safety Management Software

10 Reasons to Use SMS Pro's Aviation Safety Management Software

Why should our airline, airport, flight school, aviation maintenance (AMO, MRO) choose SMS Pro as our aviation safety management system?

SMS Pro Web Aviation Safety Reporting Software is


airline airport safety reporting software
1. Affordable
  • Software as a service (SaaS) models and portal access for the entire airline or airport remain the most cost effective way of procuring Web based aviation safety software.
  • Optionally host software on your airline or airports Web servers.

2. Capable
  • SMS Pro manages 90% of ICAO, FAA, EASA, Transport Canada and CASA aviation safety management requirements “out of the box” without requiring costly, high risk and time consuming software development.
  • SMS Pro's Web-based software will facilitate compliance and management of all ICAO requirements to the highest standards using aviation industry best practices.

3. Flexible
  • Configurable by your safety administrator to match your airline or airport's workflow. Use your own airline or airports logos on safety portal Web pages and reports. Customize your risk matrix, audit/assessment templates and dropdown and classification list values designed and defined by you. 
  • Ready to use out of the box with common classification values.
  • Comprehensive and simple user management tools to assign configurable user roles within the system. Protect sensitive safety reports and viewing of data through user permissions to ensure the right information is only available to the right people.
  • Configurable drag and drop treeview lists.

4. User-Friendly
  • With only modern web browser required, the user friendly interface and web portal encourages your entire workforce to report and access vital health and safety reporting information and gains support for health and safety by involving employees at all levels.
  • Can be used on Windows Tablet, Apple iPad and iPhone for mobile access.

SMS Pro Web Based Aviation Safety Software Increases


5. Visibility
airline airport safety reporting software for aviation SMS management
  • No matter the size or geographic locations of your airline or airport divisions, everyone in the organization has the ability to remotely view aviation safety information (policies and procedures, identified hazards,  safety documentation and risk assessments). Furthermore, everyone has many ways of reporting incidents, accidents, irregularities, near misses or potential hazards, ensuring that vital aviation safety information is recorded instantly.
  • Predefined, comprehensive management reports compare industry standard safety KPI’s and metrics. In conjunction with Safety Performance Monitor and User Dashboard, management maintains a real time view of safety performance.
  • Managers can easily view drill-down charting tools through a simple safety management portal.

6. Control
  • Maintain control through a single data repository, unlimited-user access, tighter policy version controls and consistent, up-to-date aviation safety information.
  • Flexible, data management workflow ensures information entered by staff is fit for purpose and approved or rejected by authorized safety managers.
  • Multi-level visibility aviation safety issues across the airline or airport. Real-time reporting charts and dashboards shows data in key areas and drives action management from tracking, to closure, to review.
  • Multi-level reports on both specific (resulting from reported issues) and aggregated reports.
  • Track proactive, preventative actions, such as aviation safety training records, risk assessments, asset maintenance and actions, along with reactive data from reported issues and investigations.

7. Compliance
  • Consolidating multiple systems into one easy to use, centralized safety management system enables you to manage ICAO, FAA, EASA, CASA or Transport Canada compliance through the recording and filing of aviation safety information in a centralized data management system.
  • Audit trails are maintained by recording every change to safety related data, giving peace of mind and evidence of compliance.
  • Provides specific documentation for safety risk assessments in one standard format without the need to re-train.
  • Provides complete documentation of corrective preventive actions and easily documents review process.
  • Automated notifications ensure issues are managed to completion and ensures issues are reviewed on a proper, configurable schedule.

SMS Pro Web Based Aviation Safety Management Software Reduces


8. Cost
Web Based Aviation Safety Management Software

  • IT infrastructure - Hardware, Bandwidth, Server Software, Backups
  • IT support staff
  • Document management
  • Regulatory audits
  • Claims defense
  • Possible insurance premiums
  • Improve accident performance rating
  • Reduce time significantly for routine aviation safety administration, freeing resource for analysis and proactive aviation safety management
  • Reduce information overload - easily find relevant information

9. Risk
  • Proactive aviation safety management reduces risk of incidents and injury to employees, contractors and customers.
  • Reducing incidents saves on insurance claims and damage to airline or airport reputation

10. Hassle and Stress
  • With visibility comes control.  When you are in control and in compliance, then you can sleep at night.
  • Highly rated, professional, customer support ensures you are not left helpless after your purchase.
  • Online video training library and documentation ensures employees get immediate training information.





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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Monday, April 8, 2013

16 Free Aviation SMS Videos for Safety Management Systems

List of Free Aviation Safety Management Videos (SMS)

We decided to put a list of our YouTube videos in this blog for easy reference. These are not the safety management videos you find in SMS Pro video training library, which is on the support site (http://support.asms-pro.com).

free aviation sms safety management videos

Introduction to SMS Pro Aviation Safety Management Software

Airline SMS Safety Management Systems Software, SMS Pro Overview 


Video Tour of  Airline Airport (Aerodrome) Safety Management Software


1 - Risk & Security Safety Management System - Aviation SMS for Airports & Airlines

2 - Four Pillars Safety Management System  - Aviation SMS for Airports & Airlines

3  Integrated Hazard Reporting Safety Management System (SMS) - Accidents, Incidents

4 - Key Safety Performance Indicators (KPIs) Safety Management System (SMS) 

5 - Audit Report, Training, Corrective Preventive Actions  (SMS) 

6 - Implementation Plan Safety Management System (SMS) - Aviation SMS

7 - Cost Benefit, Hazard Register in Safety Management System (SMS) 

8 - Proactive - Reactive Hazard Management in Safety Management System (SMS) 

9 - Safety Management System (SMS) - Aviation SMS for Airports & Airlines Video

10 - Gap Analysis Safety Management System (SMS) - Aviation SMS

11 - Auditor Reports in Safety Management System (SMS) - Aviation SMS

12 - Newsletters, Surveys in Safety Management System (SMS) - Aviation SMS


free aviation sms safety management videos for airlines, aerodromes, airports

Web Based Aviation Safety Software On Your Servers


mySMS - Make Your SMS is the SMS Pro product but placed on your airline or airport servers.

mySMS - How to buy & build your own SMS system for aviation industry using mySMS modules 




State Safety Program Software

State Safety Program SSP Software for National & Regional Airport Authorities


More Aviation Safety Management Software Information

Aviation Safety Software Company
Aviation Safety Management Software by SMS Pro
Free Downloads Airline/Airport's Aviation SMS Software Resources (Checklists, Templates, Policies)






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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

State Safety Program Requirements


State Safety Program Requirements Outlined

A State Safety Program is integrated set of regulations and activities aimed at improving safety. These activities require tools to facilitate the management of:

Safety Oversight

civil aviation authority state safety program for aviation safety management systems
Civil aviation authorities can easily monitor the safety activities of their aviation service providers when using SMS Pro™ on a national or regional level. Conduct audits either on an “issue” level or system-wide level using SMS Pro’s built-in auditing features.

Quickly review reports of particular service providers or review reports of industry segments, such as airlines, airports, maintenance or air traffic control operations. Management portals can easily group these industry segments, or consolidate all operators under a single management portal. For most implementations, management portals for industry segments make the most sense.

Accident/Incident Investigation

SMS Pro™ has a very complete investigation module that can be used by both states and service providers. States can easily review ongoing investigation being performed by service providers or start their own investigation in their management portal.

Operators can systematically conduct root cause analysis or human factors investigations using the investigation module. Using SMS Pro’s Issue Manager is also considered a formal investigation by some civil aviation authorities who don’t require such detailed investigations.

Mandatory/Voluntary Reporting Systems

Facilitate service providers’ automated event reporting by providing SMS Pro™ to each service provider. States can be immediate notified in many flexible ways. For example, when events are reported, states can be automatically alerted via email at the time of the report. Alternatively, Safety Managers at each company can easily send an automated email to civil aviation authorities for specific types of issues.

When operators can easily report hazards simultaneously to both their parent companies and their civil aviation authorities, both parties win.

Safety Data Analysis

Gathering data from an entire country of service providers remains a daunting task. SMS Pro™ allows states to instantly aggregate reports in many flexible ways. Focus on an industry segment, such as airports, or drill into a specific company to determine safety challenges the company may be facing.

Reports are generated in real time and can focus on types of issues, root causes, key performance indicators or associated hazards. Furthermore, SMS Pro™ is flexible to easily accommodate additional reports based on client requirements.

Safety Promotion

Communicating safety to an entire country’s aviation service providers can be easily accomplished using SMS Pro™ Newsletters module. Also, conduct surveys or generate “Must Read” or “Must Acknowledge” messages for specific user groups within an organization.



Aviation Safety Management Software


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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Why Do You Need Description of Aviation Safety Manager Duties & Responsibilities

Why Do You Need Description of Aviation Safety Manager

aviation safety manager job description
Occasionally, your airline or airport managers will need to know what are the duties and responsibilities of the safety manager for the airline or airport aviation safety management system. Here are some quick examples:
  1. When hiring a new safety manager, you will certainly need to communicate to prospective applicants what will be the job duties; or
  2. When completing the job duties and requirements of key safety personnel which is required under the Safety Policy component of an aviation SMS program; or
  3. When conducting periodic job performance reviews of the airline or airport safety manager.

Safety Manager Description

Airline/Airport Safety Manager has been commonly an upper management appointment. Safety managers require higher levels of authority within the airline or airport when dealing with safety matters. To ensure/safeguard this degree of authority, safety managers should report directly to the accountable executive.

Safety Manager Attributes

airline airport aviation safety manager job description
Operational management experience with a technical background sufficient to understand  the interacting systems within the organization;
  • People skills; 
  • Problem solving skills; 
  • Project management skills; 
  • Communication skills (oral and written); and
  • Computer skills to operate relevant software.

The accountable executive remains responsible for the aviation safety management system (SMS).

Accountable executives delegate the administration of the SMS to safety manager.

Typical Job Functions of Safety Managers

  • Conduct gap analysis periodically to determine health of SMS;
  • Manage SMS implementation plan as delegated by accountable executive; 
  • Regularly update accountable executive of current safety concerns;
  • Administer risk management processes (hazard identification, risk assessments and risk mitigation); 
  • Monitor corrective actions to ensure accomplishment; 
  • Monitor safety performance and communicate performance to management; 
  • Maintain airline/airport safety documentation; 
  • Organize new employee safety training (SMS Induction);
  • Organize staff safety training; 
  • Prepare or coordinate safety promotion communications (newsletters, workplace posters, etc);
  • Manage proactive hazard identification systems; and 
  • Be involved in safety-related investigations.






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 information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.