Aviation Enterprises' SMS Data Management Challenges
Feb12Written by:
2/12/2009 3:00 PM 
Aviation safety
managers must do an incredible amount of work to implement an effective aviation SMS. Safety managers must:
- coordinate aviation safety policies;
- make sure that historical copies of aviation SMS policies exist (version control);
- ensure everyone knows their SMS duties and responsibilities in the organization; manage risk;
- communicate & promote safety, security, quality and compliance issues...
and the list goes on and on.
Once safety managers start trying to comply with the aviation SMS requirements that stem from ICAO guidelines, they realize their quandary. An effective SMS generates a lot of data and if aviation SMS data are not managed properly, the aviation service provider will lose monetary benefits that others with well-planned and implemented systems are realizing. Plain and simple. Money will be lost and service quality will not improve at an optimal rate. Not only will loss of money result, but also the competitive advantage.
Safety managers are not data management experts. Therefore, safety managers need tools to give to management to support their cause for more effective SMS data management strategies...such as a high-level SMS Architectural diagram. An effective technique outlines the existing operation and compares it with the optimal solution so top management can compare and draw their own conclusions.
A major problem with the majority of SMS implementations is that they are being implemented by "safety experts" who are not data management experts. NorthWest Data Solutions in Anchorage, Alaska has a team of data management experts that have become safety experts with the design, development and support of SMS Pro. NWDS can provide your business with tools to show management how many organizations are configuring their SMS systems, not knowing the corner they are backing themselves into.
We see three SMS data management architectures being implemented in everyday consulting and speaking with aviation service providers:
- Decentralized;
- Centralized; and
- Hybrid.
The decentralized SMS data management strategy is very common technological approach found in smaller organizations with fewer than 100 employees. An architectural diagram may be found at http://www.aviation-sms.com/AboutSMS/WhyDoWeNeedSMS.aspx
The second approach is the centralized SMS data management approach. This companion to the decentralized version can be downloaded at http://www.aviation-sms.com/AboutSMS/AviationSMSSolution.aspx. The Centralized SMS Data Management Approach is the preferred method for many reasons, which we will cover in great detail in future blog posts. For now, understand that your organization will receive REAL sustainable value after implementing a centralized system.
Among the benefits of the centralized approach are:
Save time and money having all your data in one location for everyone with proper authority to access the data. Users don't have to hunt and ask, "Who has the last OIR?" Data are located in one location, so backing up the data is easier, more efficient and less expensive.
Enhanced security: Your data requires security to be applied at one location instead of at many. Security may be applied by roles or by individual permissions.
SMS Pro is a centralized SMS data management tool that will allow your organization to continue to realize monetary benefits year after year. SMS Pro allows for the entire organization to collaborate and communicate effectively using the same data. Reports are available to everyone with permissions. Auditors can easily see the information to make their tasks easier and managers can see real-time reports with the utmost ease to identify trends and manage organizational safety, security, quality and compliance issues.
SMS Pro is available for airports, airlines, helicopter operators, flight schools, air traffic control and MROs. When you purchase SMS Pro, NWDS' friendly staff efficiently guides you step by step during the implementation phases. If you need help, an SMS Partner is always available.