Integrated Aviation Safety Management Software Gets New Tools

Jan. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) in Anchorage, Alaska released a Web based aviation safety management software five years ago called SMS Pro. Since then, airlines, airports, flight schools and other aviation service providers have been using the aviation SMS software to satisfy the aviation regulatory requirements for an aviation safety management system.

NWDS (http://www.nwds-ak.com) announced today the SMS Pro is adding more tools this year to attract more customers. The business strategy is to have an integrated aviation safety management system that does more than satisfy the aviation SMS requirements. New tools will make the system more desirable to new clients. Christopher Howell, CEO of NWDS stated that "One of the chief objections for most airlines and airports is the introduction of another system into their operations. Adding new systems increases organizational risk and this risk is often not acceptable to management."

Tools that will be introduced in 2013 include pilot duty time logging that is tied directly into the hazard reporting and risk management framework of SMS Pro(http://www.asms-pro.com). The Pilot Duty Time module allows pilots to log their duty including night landings, aircraft flown, legs and other elements that occur during their duty day. Aviation safety software expert, Roman Mikheev, stated that "this pilot duty time module is the second time NWDS has tried to incorporate flight duty logging. The first time failed because the workflow was applicable to only one operator." This new attempt to add flight duty logging into the online aviation safety management software is including several companies as beta testers. The first companies started using the new module on January 20, 2013.

Another new module that will be incorporated into SMS Pro is MEL Minimum Equipment Lists. Minimum Equipment Lists are mandatory elements for every operator and these should be managed in more efficient ways than most companies do today. Currently, most companies are managing MEL Minimum Equipment Lists using paper and spreadsheets. Communicating expiration dates and aircraft status has become a management headache for growing airlines.

SMS Pro will be adding additional features to the Web based aviation safety management software upon client request. NWDS has been adding custom aviation modules and hazard reporting forms to the online aviation SMS software for five years. (http://www.aviation-sms.com) "Normally, custom modules are paid for by the client. When we find that a module can be used by the entire community and the new module will help us sell more widgets, then we subsidize the cost of development," stated Chris Howell.

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.