New Offline Hazard Reporting Software Released

New Offline Hazard Reporting For Airlines & Airports

Many airlines & airports in northern Canada, Africa and Southeast Asia have unreliable Internet connectivity. SMS Pro's new Hazard Reporting application was designed to for these types of operations. To see a quick video of the new offline hazard reporting app, see http://screencast.com/t/C6zFFbieG

How is This Aviation Hazard Reporting Software Different?

For starters, this is a stand-alone application or "app." You don't need to connect to an Apple store or another device-specific store to get this app. It is available to SMS Pro users to download from their "online account."

This app works on ALL modern devices. IPhones, IPads, Androids, laptops, desktop computers. There is also a responsive design, such that the forms will automatically change based on the screen size. These are the major differences that separate the 2015 offline hazard reporting software from the offline hazard reporting tool that SMS Pro released in 2008. The previous version only worked on laptops or desktops.

Special Offline Hazard Reporting Features

Besides the main architectural features just described (one app for all modern devices and the responsive design), the new offline aviation hazard reporting tool has several cool features worth noting:

• Start and stop your hazard report and resume later when you are ready;
• Indicator alerting you are not online;
• Captains' Trip Report embedded;
• Personal & Public Offline Hazard Reporting Links; and
• Four Aviation-specific hazard reporting forms (Quick, General Pilot, ATC and Maintenance).

The best feature is being able to start a report and reload the report later. Or maybe the best feature is that a pilot can be flying for days away from Internet connectivity and still create reports and submit them when coming within Internet range.

Use Cases for Offline Hazard Reporting Forms

Besides being useful for direct employees at airlines, airports and aviation maintenance organizations, there are other use cases where the offline hazard reporting form comes into play:

• Allowing vendors, contractors and customers to report hazards without having an account into your system.
• Airports providing vendors, tenants and airlines access to report hazards without an account;
• Civil aviation authorities to gather electronic hazard reports from aviation service providers operating in their theater.

Quick Demo Video of Offline Hazard Reporting

Availability of Offline Aviation Hazard Reporting Forms

As of May 2015, only 130 companies will have access to SMS Pro's Offline Hazard Reporting forms. Remaining SMS Pro customers on other servers are scheduled to have access by October 2015.

Users will instantly know whether the feature is available by going to the second step of their online hazard reporting module. Depending on their role, they will see a "Personal offline report link" and/or "Public offline report link."

The personal hazard reporting link is for SMS Pro users to add the offline hazard reporting app to their IPhones, IPads or other mobile devices. The public hazard reporting link is for managers to distribute to:

• Other aviation service providers that either must report hazards to their system;
• Organizational Web developers to put on your public Website; or 
• Customers.

Available Only in English as Of May 2015

While SMS Pro is available in Spanish, German, French and two Chinese dialects, the offline aviation hazard reporting app is currently only available in English.

More Aviation SMS Software Information

More information about aviation SMS software can be found at:

• Aviation SMS Software Program (Web Based)
• Airlines SMS Software Program - Specific to Airlines
• Airport SMS Software Program - Specific to Airports

How to best help your

Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

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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™.

Public Hazard Reporting for Airlines, Airports & Aviation Maintenance Organizations

Everyone has an interest in aviation safety. Allow all users to participate in your aviation safety program.

Web Based Hazard Reporting for All Airline and Airport Stakeholders

All aviation-related stakeholders, including passengers, contractors, vendors and maintenance providers have a vested interest in airline and airport operations. These stakeholders often witness hazards or potential hazards that may affect your operations. Customers also may feel more "connected" to your operations when they have an easy way to submit quality, security or environmental concerns to your airline or airport management personnel.

Allow External Users to Submit Hazards & Quality Concerns

Public Issue Reporting module in the Web based aviation safety management systems software called SMS Pro allows external stakeholders to submit safety, security or quality reports to your safety program without having an account in your SMS software program. Public Issue Reporting module is very easy to setup and configure.

Below is a quick video explaining how NWDS support staff can format the Public Issue Reporting module to suit your needs, whether you:

• Simply provide a link to your customers or support staff; or
• Embed your module into an IFrame (Web page embedded inside another Web page).

More information about aviation SMS software can be found at:

• Aviation SMS Software Program (Web Based)
• Airlines SMS Software Program - Specific to Airlines
• Airport SMS Software Program - Specific to Airports

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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™.

Video - New Linked Reports Features in Aviation SMS Software

Linked Reports in Aviation Safety Software

Airline and airport personnel routinely submit hazard reports to electronic hazard reporting databases. These Web based systems have considerable power to allow safety managers to easily perform risk assessments, classify reported hazards for future reports and conduct investigations. Corrective actions are applied and tracked to mitigate the reported hazard, accident or incident.

Risks Are Mitigated to ALARP

The objective of any risk management program is to mitigate or transfer the risk to as low as reasonably practical. Corrective and preventive actions treat the root cause of the reported incident, accident or irregularity. Effective corrective actions ensure that similar events do not recur, or when they do
recur, risk exposure is minimized.

In the real world, the best aviation safety management software tools allow safety managers to link related reports. Managers can then analyze related hazard or events and develop more effective corrective preventive actions. SMS Pro allows managers to effortlessly establish these connections and view related issues.

New Enhancements to Linking Reported Issues

This following video describes the new enhancements in SMS Pro's Issue Manager module. One can see how easy it is for managers to view reported issues and escalate reports to affected managers.

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

---

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™.

Configurations for Reported Issues Notifications in Aviation SMS Software

Configuring Hazard Notifications in Aviation SMS Software

SMS Pro's recent December 2013 upgrade brought many improvements. Some enhancements are noticeable to all users, such as the "Automatic Logoff" feature that prompts users to continue their session after user activity ceases. Other aviation safety features are more subtle.

Here we discuss three features, two of which are new.

1) Disable Reported Issues' Emails Feature

SMS Pro support staff can migrate your legacy data into SMS Pro's aviation safety database software using scripts. We require that the data comes to us in an MS Excel spreadsheet, so we can analyze and prepare the data migration scripts.

Many airlines and airports have their legacy safety reports' data in MS Word or paper format. In this case, you will have to have data entry personnel enter in these reported issues manually. Data entry personnel have capabilities to enter reports on behalf of other employees in the system. It was as if the initial reporters submitted the issues when Data Entry personnel submit reports.

As you know, when issues are reported in SMS Pro, email notifications are sent to those reporting issues and managers configured to receive notifications of newly reported issues. When entering considerable numbers of legacy reports manually, users can become spammed mercilessly from the aviation safety management software.

New Feature to Disable Reported Issues' Emails

An enhancement now exists to turn off ALL email notifications for your aviation safety portal. Simply ask SMS Pro support staff to turn off all reported email notifications. Take your time and manually insert your legacy data. When you are ready to enable email notifications, simply contact SMS Pro support staff. This is an easy configuration for us. See image below.

2) Automatic Logoff Feature in Aviation Safety Management Software

Military and police organizations have strict Web security protocols that must be followed, such as SSL and automatic logoff of inactive users. A few airlines and airports may also have the need to automatically logoff inactive users after a certain period of inactivity. SMS Pro will now logoff inactive users 15 minutes after the last time a user refreshed the screen. See example below, requesting user to continue the session.

This automated logoff feature is similar to banking software behavior. If your SMS Admin feels that 15 minutes is too short, contact SMS Pro support staff and request a longer period. Available settings are:

• 15;
• 30;
• 45;
• 60; and
• 75 minutes.

3) Task Lead Time in Aviation Safety Software

The aviation safety management software SMS Pro notifies users when tasks are overdue, such as corrective preventive actions, assigned issues, work orders, etc. By default, notifications are sent out when the item is overdue. This is not a new feature, but work reminding SMS Admins about.

If your airline or airport wants to have "Lead Time" associated with these automated notifications, SMS Pro can send "warnings" to users when issues are about to become overdue. For example, your airline or airport personnel may want to be warned three days in advance that their assigned task will become due.

Contact SMS Pro support staff if you want to configure "Task Lead Time."

SMS Pro is a very full-featured, configurable aviation safety management system software application. If you don't see a configuration or a particular module, tell us about your needs and we'll work with you. Chances are the features are already built into SMS Pro.

Thank you for supporting SMS Pro and making SMS Pro one of the best aviation safety management software tools on the market. To learn more about aviation safety management software tools, see http://www.asms-pro.com

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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™.

Understanding User Dashboard Chart - Reporting Culture in Aviation Safety Software

Current Reporting Culture as of Today

Understanding your current reporting culture is an important exercise for any airline or airport safety manager. What perceptions toward your aviation safety management goals and objectives do airline and airport personnel currently hold? A question recently appeared regarding one of the new User Dashboard charts in SMS Pro's aviation safety management software. See the User Dashboard chart below:

Question: what does maximum 26 issues reported in 7 days relate to?

SMS Pro Fails to Make Intuitive Dashboard Charts

SMS Pro routinely creates new aviation safety software tools for airline and airport SMS programs. One measure of our success is when users intuitively understand the functionality or purpose of tools without further documentation. In this case, we failed and hope to explain this very useful dashboard chart. If you want to see the user-configurable dashboard to which this chart belongs, see User Configurable Dashboard in Aviation Safety Management Software

Explanation of Real Time Hazard Reporting Culture Chart

At the bottom of this aviation SMS charting tool are three radio buttons corresponding to three different result sets. The default selection is "7 Days." One can easily get another result set to fill the gauge and legend by selecting another option, such as "Month" or "Year."

For the current date the above aviation SMS chart was displayed to the user, 13 issues had been reported within the past 7 days. Result sets come from real time data and can change throughout the day. For the life of this particular aviation SMS portal, the maximum number of reported hazards (issues), not counting audit issues, for any given "7-day" time period was 26.

Reporting Culture Dashboard Chart Pulls Fresh Data on Demand

As mentioned, upon selecting "Month" or "Year," the legend changes to reflect:

• How many issues were reported within the "Selected Time Period;" and
• What is the maximum number of reported issues for the history of the portal for any "Selected Time Period."

Use Caution & Common Sense When Interpreting Hazard Reporting Data

The displayed metrics in this chart offer an indication of the current reporting culture in relation to the life of your SMS program. Several factors may affect these result for any given period, for example:

• Safety promotion newsletters increasing awareness and motivating employees to submit issues;
• Allowing contractors and customers to submit hazards and quality concerns using email and public hazard reporting tools;
• Providing aviation SMS training to airline or airport employees; and
• Organizational restructuring that causes sudden increase or decrease in number of active employees.

As with any data result, one has to be careful as to how you interpret this "snap shot" of your aviation SMS program. If a manager suddenly enters a large stack of paper-based reports, the result set will appear skewed.

We hope the above explanation satisfies any questions to the this User Dashboard chart. There are more than 20 User Dashboard charts in SMS Pro's user configurable dashboard. If you have any questions regarding other reports, please contact us and we'll provide a detailed explanation.

To see the configurable dashboard in action, follow this link:
http://aviationsafetysoftware.blogspot.com/2013/11/aviation-sms-software-configurable.html

Thank you for supporting SMS Pro and making SMS Pro one of the best aviation safety management software tools on the market. To learn more about aviation safety management software tools, see http://www.asms-pro.com

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

---

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™.

Transport Canada Bird/Wildlife Strike Report - Default in SMS Software

TC Bird/Wildlife Strike Report - Default in Aviation SMS Software

Airlines and airports around the world have been implementing aviation safety management systems (SMS) since 2006 to comply with the ICAO SMS mandate. One aspect of formal SMS programs is hazard reporting. Several world class Web based software programs have sprung up since 2006 to satisfy regulatory requirements. SMS Pro is one of the most popular Web-based aviation SMS software programs.

Not All Bird/Wildlife Reporting Forms are the Same

Hazard reporting includes accidents, incidents and irregularities, including bird strikes. Oddly enough, bird strike reporting forms are not consistent in the aviation industry. For example, SMS Pro has had the FAA Bird Strike Report and a UAE Bird Strike Reporting Form for several years. The FAA Bird Strike Reporting Form is a default, predefined report. These reports certainly share similarities, but if one is concerned about formatting, then airlines and airports need to use a civil aviation authority (CAA) approved bird strike reporting form.

Custom reporting forms are not uncommon in SMS Pro's aviation safety database. They are quick and easy to produce and integrate nicely into the aviation risk management framework.

SMS Pro now includes the Transport Canada Bird/Wildlife Reporting Form as a default reporting form. Since the Canadians are among the leaders in implementing formal aviation SMS programs, they represent an appreciable customer base for SMS Pro. This reporting form is available to all SMS Pro users, regardless of whether you are a Canadian based airline, airport, flight school or maintenance facility.

Key Features of TC Bird/Wildlife Reporting Form

Transport Canada Bird/Wildlife Reporting Form is available in English and French, the two national languages.

Dropdown lists are configurable for aircraft make, model, engine manufacturer and bird/wildlife common species. Only SMS Admins can edit these lists. These configurable lists ensure users are not bombarded with information not relevant to their operations.

Besides using the Web based reporting form to submit issues into a company's SMS database, SMS Pro's TC Bird/Wildlife Reporting Form can be used to optionally submit reports directly to Transport Canada. If desired, safety managers can desensitize reports before transmitting reported issues to Transport Canada.

More Information

Aviation Hazard Reporting Software
Public Hazard Reporting at Airlines & Airports

If your airline or airport requires a unique reporting form, contact techsupport@nwds-ak.com. For sales information, contact sales@nwds-ak.com.

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

---

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™.

Customize Aviation Hazard Reporting Form Video

Configuring Aviation Hazard Reporting Forms

SMS Pro has several predefined hazard reporting forms for airlines and airports' aviation safety management systems. These predefined reporting forms allow employees and stakeholders to enter reports electronically. Automated email notifications are sent to responsible safety managers. Follow these links to learn more about SMS Pro's hazard reporting software or to watch demo videos on SMS Pro's aviation safety management software.

List of Predefined Aviation Hazard Reporting Forms

Back in 2007, SMS Pro's hazard reporting forms were based on NASA's ASRS forms. The earliest predefined reporting forms included:

• Flight Safety;
• Air Traffic Control;
• Cabin Safety; 
• Maintenance; and
• General Occupational Safety.

SMS Pro later included:

• FAA Bird Strike; and
• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) reporting form.

Additional Hazard Reporting Forms

Approximately 10% of airlines and airports require custom hazard reporting forms for their aviation SMS programs. Their needs may be unique or employees are comfortable with existing reporting forms. In these cases, NWDS can create custom hazard reporting forms at a very reasonable cost that integrate into SMS Pro's hazard reporting and risk management modules. Contact techsupport@nwds-ak.com for more information.

Configuring Hazard Reporting Forms in Your Portal

Airlines and airports (and occasionally flight schools) want to modify the values in the predefined hazard reporting forms. For example, some of the maintenance values may not be applicable to all operations, especially in Canada or Europe.

To configure hazard reporting forms in SMS Pro, you must possess the SMS Admin role. You are able to modify:

• All drop down lists;
• Hide drop down lists; and
• Other verbiage relating to employees viewing their reported issues.

Video Demonstrating Hazard Reporting Form Configuration

This following video will walk you through the steps to configure the drop down lists in SMS Pro's predefined hazard reporting forms. Hazard Reporting Form Configuration Video

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

---

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™.

Two Critical Elements for Employee Involvement in Airline/Airport Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Involvement in Aviation Safety Management System (SMS)

Employees must become an integral part of your airline or airport's aviation safety process. Without employee involvement in your SMS program, meaningful and lasting changes are unable to occur. To successfully implement an aviation SMS program, safety managers need to develop a sense of responsibility and pride in the success of the overall safety program. This cultural change increases safety awareness which affects not only themselves, but also coworkers, contractors and customers (pax) as well.

It is ultimately top management's responsibility to ensure airline/airport safety. However, employee involvement remains necessary to make it work. Line employees have the most to contribute to your airline/airport safety program by their direct involvement in following safety work practices and immediately reporting potential hazards or quality concerns. Line personnel are in immediate contact with potentially hazardous situations and are also dealing with pax.

Safety managers should consider hazard identification and problem-solving exercises in the airline or airport's initial and recurring safety training. As we stated, employee involvement is critical. Providing airline/airport employees with knowledge as to what is considered "desirable behavior" is a first step in acquiring their involvement.

Encouraging Employee Involvement in Your Aviation SMS Program

Employee involvement in your aviation SMS program may take many forms. Safety promotion strategies used to encourage and sustain this involvement vary from operator to operator and also culture to culture. Culture is an element that must be accounted for, especially when your airline operations span several countries or your airline/airport employs many expatriates.

For our discussion, two basic elements to increase the probability of success for encouraging employee involvement in your safety program are:

1. Unrestricted lines of communication; and 
2. Visible management actions to address employee concerns. 

Lines of communication may be direct or indirect.

Methods of direct communication may include:

• Standard operating procedures and open-door policy;
• Open safety meetings;
• Safety committee participation; 
• Work-site inspections participation, hazard analysis
• Input into drafting safety policies and procedures;
• Accident/incident investigation participation; and
• Aviation safety training curriculum development, review, and presentation

Indirect communication may include email or Web based hazard reporting systems.

When employees do report hazards, make sure you close the feedback loop. Other ways to demonstrate that management is dealing with employee concerns (reported hazards) are using:
Newsletters; and

More information on hazard reporting systems

How to Encourage Employees to Use SMS Hazard Reporting Tools

Reducing Accidents using Web Based Aviation Safety Reporting Programs

How to Increase Airline/Airport Hazard Reporting

Safety Non-Punitive Reporting Policy Statement Sample

Hazard Reporting for Effective Aviation SMS Management

Public Issue Reporting Aviation Safety Hazards

How to Report Aviation Incidents & Accidents by Email

Reporting Airline Airport Hazards Using IPad & IPhone

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

---

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™.

AVIATION SAFETY REPORTING SOFTWARE

Web Based Hazard Reporting, SMS Auditing Tools, Risk Management

Serving Airlines & Airports Across the World.

Custom Aviation Safety Reporting Software for ICAO, FAA, Transport Canada Requirements  Serving Airlines and Airports since 2008 with cutting edge aviation safety reporting software design, implementation, and maintenance. Aviation Safety Reporting Software for all size operations (10 employees to ten thousand) SQL Server Database Implementation Custom Client and Server Aviation Safety Reporting Software Contract Programming Services for Custom Aviation Safety Reporting Software Paper based and MS Excel systems are less effective than ever. International airlines and airports must have Web presence.  We provide aviation safety reporting software for all aviation industry segments.  Web-based aviation safety reporting software can make a difference in user acceptance. Engage employees with functional aviation safety reporting software that is user friendly...

More Aviation Safety Management Software Information

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Free Downloads Airline/Airport's Aviation SMS Software Resources (Checklists, Templates, Policies)

Additional Information About Aviation Safety Management Software

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What is SMS Pro

What is SMS Pro?

SMS Pro is an aviation SMS hazard reporting and management system designed for airlines, helicopter operators, airports & MROs. Any aviation organization requiring aviation SMS hazard reporting systems should consider SMS Pro.  Aviation safety professionals designed SMS Pro with highly qualified database and Web development personnel. These aviation professionals designed SMS Pro to meet the needs small to medium aviation service providers who didn't have large IT budgets.
 SMS Pro is a ready to use aviation SMS hazard reporting and management system meeting the needs of small to medium sized aviation service providers. Implement this turn-key, Web-based aviation SMS tool as one of the first steps to implementing your aviation SMS.

What are Aviation Hazard Reporting Systems?

Hazard reporting systems remain core to aviation service providers' success in developing Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS). Implementing hazard reporting systems exists as one of the first steps in implementing an aviation safety management system software program.

For small to mid-size airlines, helicopter operators, airports & MROs, SMS Pro is secure, hosted service requiring only a computer with Internet access and an IE or FireFox Web browser.  This turn-key aviation SMS solution allows aviation service providers to quickly implement SMS Pro's hazard reporting and management system. 

SMS Pro was designed for airlines and airports

• Maintaining one or several functionally distinct operating certificates;
• Operating from one to many geographic locations;
• With desre to reduce the amount of aviation SMS-related administration.

SMS Pro provides a great solution for small to medium sized airlines and airports needing to implement and maintain an aviation hazard reporting and management system. 

SMS Pro has three versions:

1. Full or enterprise version for medium to large aviation service providers;
2. SMS Pro Lite, for smaller operators with part-time Safety Officer
3. SMS Pro Free Version - smaller operators needing to "check the box."

More about this enterprise-level, Web-based, database application:

•  Best aviation safety management system, most complete & user friendly
•  Designed specifically for small to medium sized aviation service providers, but robust for large carriers
•  Hosted Web service utilizing existing company resources with Internet and Web browsing capability
•  Data export utilities to generate custom aviation SMS reports
•  Established SMS hazard reporting and management system to implement into existing Aviation Safety Management Systems
• SQL Server database
• .NET Architecture

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

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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™.

How to Encourage Employees to Use SMS Hazard Reporting Tools

How to Encourage Employees to Use SMS Hazard Reporting Tools

Employees remain the best source for detecting unsafe and potentially hazardous conditions in the workplace. Safety managers are often challenged regarding how to encourage employees to use aviation hazard reporting tools, such as Web-based hazard reporting forms, paper reporting forms, or offline hazard reporting software tools.

It is common that aviation personnel reluctantly report safety hazards for fear of retaliation or for fear of appearing incapable of dealing with innate hazardous conditions.  Without fail, safety managers must inform employees of the various reporting options available to them, as well as the opportunity to remain anonymous. The well-structured and often communicated non-punitive reporting policy can reduce employee hesitation towards reporting hazardous conditions. Your company can have the best aviation SMS hazard reporting database software tools and still fail if employees don't believe in your non-punitive reporting policy.

Explicit Top Management Commitment to Aviation SMS Program

The tone at the top of the organization drives safety culture. Top management needs to communicate their commitment to creating a productive and safe workplace for everyone. Safety managers must encourage department heads to talk to their employees about how hazard reporting tools help the company achieve this goal and makes the company more competitive, thereby ensuring job security. Department managers should repeatedly tell their employees that when they report hazardous conditions or events, the information help eliminate and correct workplace risks while improving operations.
Other steps commonly improve corporate reporting culture and encourage the use of hazard reporting systems include:

• Train employees to use hazard reporting systems. This training initial and recurrent training and should be documented in preparation of future audits.
• Provide employees with access to their reported issues and let them know what to expect once reports are submitted. Routinely distribute aggregated report information to employees and also continue explaining the reporting and investigation processes in your SMS.
• Establish, communicate and provide training (initial and recurring) on company non-punitive and anti-retaliation policies. If employees are expected to use hazard reporting systems, they will need to feel safe and protected.
• Provide employees with structured access to management. Communicate the chain of command within the company and designate times when management is available to speak with them and answer questions. Offer training sessions regarding how to communicate openly within your organization.

Unless Employees are Aware, You Will Have No Reporting Culture

Employees must be aware your hazard reporting system exists, AND they must also know how to use it. One way to promote and encourage hazard reporting is by giving employees access to a knowledge base of past issues and resolutions, such as SMS Pro's "General Issue Viewer" of desensitized issues and the "Lesson Learned Library."  Post signs and posters around your workplace reminding employees of their options when it comes to reporting hazards and events. SMS training and constant communication brings awareness to potentially hazardous conditions and necessary steps taken to reduce incidents and accidents.

Anonymity and Confidentiality in SMS Hazard Reporting

Provide employees with various options for reporting hazards or events, such as email, paper based reports, Web hazard reporting forms and offline hazard reporting tools.  Make hazard reporting as easy as possible and accommodate various employee groups as their circumstances dictate.

Ensure your employees understand the differences between confidentiality and anonymity to avoid confusion between the two when they are reporting hazards. Whenever anonymous reporting is possible, employees should be given a way to track the investigation and follow up on the progress of their reported issue. In other cases, employees may opt for confidentiality and not anonymity.  This means that individuals willingly expose their identity, but only to the safety managers and management team.

Offer Recognition or Rewards for Hazard Reporting

One way to reinforce hazard reporting is to give awards for hazard problem reporting, (e.g., by incorporating them into an existing award program for suggestions that save or make money for the organization). The amount of the award could be based on saving money (e.g., reducing lost time accidents), but there are many other ways to positively reinforce the message that hazard reporting is valued. The program should be well publicized, such as in company newsletters, as should the presentation of the awards.

Related Posts

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• Safety Non-Punitive Reporting Policy Statement Sample
• How to Increase Airline/Airport Hazard Reporting
• Reporting Airline Airport Hazards Using IPad & IPhone
• How to Encourage Employees to Use SMS Hazard Reporting Tools
• Hazard Reporting for Airlines/Airports SMS for All Stakeholders
• Hazard Reporting for Effective Aviation SMS Management Systems

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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™.