NEXUS Webinar Recap: Q&A and Industry Insights
Following our recent webinar on the NEXUS platform, we’ve taken the time to delve into the questions posed by attendees. These inquiries provide valuable insights into the current challenges and areas of interest within the aircraft maintenance industry.
Understanding the NEXUS Data Quality Cycle
One of the highlights of our webinar was the detailed walkthrough of the NEXUS Data Quality Cycle made by our Chief Visionary Sander de Bree , which illustrates how NEXUS manages aircraft data from phase-in to phase-out.
Phase-In: Verification of data consistency within aircraft delivery data, generation of exception reports on any deviations or anomalies detected, and conversion of this data into the MRO/M&E software data upload format.
Data Exchange: Automatically exchange data between systems used in your M&E operations and with OEMs and vendors.
OEM Library: Our most recent feature is that you can now upload and examine new OEM publications and manuals, including AMMs, IPCs, MPDs, etc., and immediately generate the transfer files for uploading into their M&E system.
Airworthiness Reviews & Checks (ARC): Identify issues in aircraft data that could impact airworthiness compliance. Suggested resolutions will ensure your airworthiness system remains the single source of truth.
M&E Consistency Checks & Reports: Effortlessly achieve standardized aircraft data quality through standardization, comprehensive coverage including maintenance programs, ADs, SBs, Mods, etc., and downloadable reports for detailed analysis and review.
Phase-Out: Compile work packages and BOW, delivering comprehensive reports to stakeholders for strategic decision-making.
Q&A Highlights
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the sessions by bringing their thoughtful and insightful questions to the table. We received a lot of inquiries about the benefits and features, and in order to better understand how NEXUS can tackle issues in the real world, let's go through the most relevant ones:
Question: Will it be possible to change aircraft status and configuration data with, for instance, lessors via your platform?
Answer: Yes, that's possible. We are able to import data but also export data in a specific form that is required for the lessors.
Q: Do you support EMB data in your OEM data processing?
A: Yes, we do. It's in a readable XML/HTML format, so that's also possible.
Q: What are the criteria for each data validation process? Can users set or add their own?
A: We have predefined some checks over the last couple of years, and those are all documented for you to read through. However, if there's any check missing, our customers can raise feature requests, and we will implement them on short notice.
Q: Can we compare two versions of AMM and provide modifications? Also, how will the engineer know if the schedule is set to run automatically and that they need to add some reports?
A: For the first question, regarding the revision, the OEMs usually have a revision code to identify if a record is new, updated, or deleted. We also use these codes, so if a new manual is uploaded, we can automatically see what records are new or need to be updated in the system. For the second question, the engineer can set the schedule themselves. Once completed, they will receive an email, and the schedule can also be reviewed in the application.
Q: Can AMM and SGML locations be converted to HTML format?
A: Yes, we can migrate from a specific format to almost any format, including HTML. For example, in AMOS, it is possible to upload work templates that include HTML content. We've achieved a 95% similarity in formatting between the ABS manuals and the output in AMOS.
Q: What are the technical IT requirements in order to use NEXUS?
A: We normally use an IP-set connection, which is a live connection between the two networks. This allows us to access the database directly. If that's not possible, there are other ways, like using existing interfaces like the AIM interface for AMOS, or similar endpoints like API endpoints.
Q: Can we customize the layout of the status reports generated in the phase-out?
A: Yes, we provide generic output templates, but if there's a need to change them, we can develop custom templates for you.
Q: Is NEXUS compatible with AMOS?
A: Yes, the origin of the NEXUS applications is based on AMOS. We have health checks in development, and we have done uploads with parts. There are limited options with tracking templates, but we can build the necessary tools for customers.
Q: Do you support Boeing IPC and AMM documentation?
A: IPC is currently ready, and AMM is in development. We do support Boeing, and we can prioritize development based on customer needs.
Q: What should be the format of aircraft delivery data for it to be used in the face-in app?
A: The face-in app uses a master file template, which is an Excel sheet with separate sheets for different data topics like maintenance tasks, maintenance checks, rotatable requirements, etc. The format is predefined to avoid mistakes, and we perform consistency checks before running the process.
Q: Can I license functions separately, or do I need to license the full module?
A: We have a standard license that gives users access to all the individual data apps. However, we can provide customized setups where only specific apps are exposed to customers.
Q: How do you handle large volumes of maintenance data?
A: Handling large volumes of data involves using an IPC connection to specific data sources. The entire infrastructure runs on Microsoft Azure, which allows us to handle large data volumes efficiently. We also ensure that using certain data in NEXUS does not impact the performance of core operational systems within an airline.
Post-Webinar Insights
Effective data management in the aircraft maintenance industry requires robust integration capabilities, allowing for seamless data exchange across different systems and stakeholders to ensure consistency and accuracy. Maintenance organizations should invest in platforms that support such integration. Additionally, the ability to customize data validation processes and report formats is essential. Solutions offering flexibility to adapt to specific operational and regulatory needs can greatly benefit organizations.
Maintaining compliance with airworthiness standards through accurate and up-to-date data is non-negotiable. Tools that facilitate easy conversion, comparison, and validation of different data formats streamline compliance efforts and ensure data accuracy. Furthermore, leveraging system compatibility and automation is crucial. Ensuring that data management solutions are compatible with existing MRO/M&E systems, and automating data handling processes can enhance operational efficiency and reduce the risk of errors, leading to more reliable maintenance planning and execution.
Lastly, flexibility in licensing can make advanced data management tools more accessible. Organizations should explore modular licensing options that allow them to invest in the functionalities they need most without unnecessary expenditures, providing a cost-effective approach to optimizing their operations.
Conclusion
We appreciate the attendee's participation and insightful feedback, and we are excited to continue advancing the industry with our solutions. If you also have any questions or want to see for yourself how NEXUS works, you can contact us.
