FavoWeb FRACAS Applications

FRACAS Applications

Being originated from the defense industry in the 1970s, nowadays FRACAS process is used in many other industries:  aircraft and aerospace, telecommunication, railways and automotive industries etc. Due to its flexibility, FavoWeb FRACAS can be easily adapted to the specific needs of almost any industry.

FRACAS system, Failure Analysis Methods, Tools and Services, Corrective Action and Preventive Action System, 8D Process etc. can be tailored to the specific requirements of the customer/project.
ALD Software can offer the following applications based on FavoWeb FRACAS: ESRA (Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics), SMS (Safety Management System), CAPA (Corrective Action/Preventive Action).

ALD FRACAS Software

ALD FRACAS Software

FavoWeb is a complete web-based FRACAS software with one server installation and unlimited users’ access via the web. FavoWeb is designed to meet your specific workflow and can be easily configured to support your data collection procedures, your work processes, your business rules, your specific reports and any desired statistical analysis. All these features and capabilities make FavoWeb FRACAS the most advanced web-based FRACAS software tool on the market.

FavoWeb FRACAS Basic Features

• Completely web-based
• Also cloud-based SaaS solution
• User configurable – no need for programing and no limitation on custom fields, process length
• Data collection forms designer (helps you design a form that will appeal users to report data)
• Process/workflow builder
• Automated Notifications and Alerts service (via email)
• Built-in Corrective Action process (8D methodology, DMAIC approach etc.)
• Multilingual (supports any language and any character type)
• Data Access / Permission setting mechanism (ITAR compliant)
• Configuration Management (Logistic BOM and Serial Tree) – As delivered, As Maintained – direct link between failures and system’s serial configuration
• Serial number traceability – direct link between failure data and configuration changes
• Operational time counters (e.g. Flight time, Distance, Engine time, Touch and Go etc.)
• Built in reliability calculation (MTBF, Reliability Growth, Pareto)
• Advanced report generator – create any query or calculation that comes to mind
• Dashboards
• Rule engine (helps you set conditions on data for presentation purposes)
• Import mechanism with validation control and post processing commands (supports XML, XLS, CSV, TSV)
• Interface to ERP’s, PDM’s RAMS application

Compliance with Common FRACAS System Requirements

Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics (ESRA)

ESRA Purpose

ESRA is the expert system for reliability analysis and in-service configuration management based on FRACAS (Failure Reporting Analysis and Corrective Action System) methods, when failures of both system and components are collected, recorded, analyzed, and corrected in a closed-loop feedback.

Main goals

• Update the “as maintained” configuration of produced aircraft starting from the “as delivered” ones
• Creation of common data repository for failures / incidents management, analysis and corrective actions
• Perform reliability statistics on aircraft and component level
• Verify the effectiveness of preventive maintenance tasks and support interval escalations
• Determine which modification has a better payback → product improvement

 Main Inputs and Outputs of Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

 Data and Reports in Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

 Functionalities

• Determine fleet utilization rates in terms of FH, FC and operative days
• Support service engineering on troubleshooting activities allowing dedicated (case by case) comparison among data related to failures occurrences
• Allow easy retrieval of historical failures and corrective actions taken
• Determine failure mode rates for each component managed in the system
• Manage historical reliability metrics for each component (P/N) managed in the system (i.e. MTBUR, MTBF)
• Trace fleet and aircraft dispatch reliabilities
• Assist the suppliers to retrieve all data pertaining to their product from maintenance data
• Monitor the effectiveness of preventive maintenance task elaborated by manufacturer and support MRB Report revisions
• Trace the fleet configuration status “as Maintained” in terms of embodiment of SB, AD, STC and major repairs
• Perform trend analysis
• Provide customized reports complaint with Aviation Authorities requirements
• Support investigation on root cause as a part of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) 
• Trace corrective actions and verify their effectiveness

Work Flow in Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

Module Map in Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

Key Features of ESRA

1. In-Service Configuration Management: Management of aircraft “as maintained” configuration starting from the “as delivered” one (hierarchical list of installed LRU’s, concessions/waivers and mod. status)

In-Service Configuration Management in Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

2. Importation Process: Pre-screening, Validation, and Post Processing of incoming files. No extra-works requirement data import: ESRA features a customizable importation tool, which shall perform data Pre-screening and Validation of the Raw data. Post-Processing is used to standardize the raw data prior the final importation into the system

3. Customized Workflow concept: customized workflow management at all level of the system

4. Automatic Alert: automatic alerting and warning tools

5. Link between configurations and failures: direct link between aircraft configuration and failure events

Link between Aircraft Configuration and Failure Events in Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

6. 8D (Eight Disciplines) approach: Corrective action based on 8D Problem Solving Process

8D (Eight Disciplines) is a problem-solving methodology for product and process improvement. It is structured into eight disciplines, emphasizing team synergy.

8D Problem Solving Process

7. Customizable Dashboards

Customizable Dashboard in Expert System for Reliability in Aeronautics

Benefits for Operators

• Cost Control
• Trace aircraft and system Dispatch Reliabilities assisting operators to achieve higher levels
• Verify the effectiveness of preventive maintenance tasks and support interval escalations
• Determine components actual reliability data (MTBUR, MTBF)
• Determine which modification has a better payback
• Comparison of own fleet performance and worldwide fleet through a dedicated user friendly web access
• No extra-works requirement for report production: ESRA features a customizable importation tool which shall perform data pre-screening and validation

Technology

FavoWeb FRACAS Technology

The FavoWeb FRACAS application is fully web-enabled. It is written in Microsoft Technology - ASP.NET, ASP Scripts using COM objects etc. It is designed to be as light as the client side is - no loading of applets and ActiveX controls. This is done by the Internet use of the application in the SUBC configuration. The software package runs on Windows 2008, 2012, 2016 server as the application server and Windows XPSP3, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 for the client side. The client-side should use any of the following browsers: Internet Explorer 9,10,11, Google Chrome (37.0 – latest publicly released version), Mozilla Firefox (31.0 - 52.0), Apple Safari (5.1.7). FavoWeb™ supports the use of Oracle, SQL Server and MSDE databases for the various configurations of the application. 

• Favoweb FRACAS Architecture
• Favoweb FRACAS Security
• Favoweb FRACAS Basic Requirements
• Favoweb FRACAS Flexibility
• Favoweb FRACAS Connectivity

Favoweb FRACAS Architecture

The overall system architecture is shown in the figure below. The central application is on a server. There is no need for dedicated client workstations, reducing lifecycle cost and enhancing user comfort. Oracle/SQL Databases benefits:

• Preexisting support network for the database
  - Supports multiple users
  - High security level
• Oracle supports large ERP system. Users can access the program and database via the Internet or Intranet, using workstations, PCs or PDAs.

FavoWeb FRACAS Architecture

FavoWeb FRACAS is available as an on-premise installation or Cloud/SaaS (Software as a Service).

Favoweb FRACAS Security

FavoWeb FRACAS handles data security in 5 different layers: application, platform, domain, database, and configuration. These circuits of security guarantee that sensitive information does not fall to the wrong hands, both within the organization and outside of it.

Data Security Layers

Application

At the application level the administrator can define a set of rules for each group of users. This includes: modeling opening, adding new failures, updating library data, etc.

Platform

FavoWeb FRACAS is built on the basis of Active Server Pages language and the use of COM libraries. This technology guarantees the total separation between the user and the server so the data base is unaccessible to non-authorized users.

Domain

FavoWeb FRACAS system supports LDAP protocol for user authentication. The system communicates with Directory Services systems (such as Active Directory by Microsoft or iPlanet by Sun).

Database

FavoWeb FRACAS system uses Oracle database to keep the data related to the organization. All the information is separated from the application files and are saved in the database.

Configuration

FavoWeb FRACAS can be installed in a decentralized configuration so that each factory works on a separate server with an independent database. The main system will be separated from the general network.

Favoweb FRACAS Basic Requirements

Minimum Hardware Requirements:

• Quad-core x64 architecture 2.5 GHz CPU or higher such as Intel Xeon systems
• 16 GB RAM
• LAN Adaptor 100/1000
• 40 GB Hard Disk

Software Requirements

• Windows 2008, 2012, 2016 Server Standard 64 bit
• Microsoft IIS 7.0 - 8.5
• Microsoft Excel 2010 
• Oracle Client 12c 32bit 

Favoweb FRACAS Flexibility

FavoWeb FRACAS uses an administrative tool to customize screens and forms including product families, reporting phases, input forms and fields. The system administrator can change permissions for user groups, add new users, and even change the language for the user-interface. Data can be filtered according to user permissions determined by organization customization. Attachment limits (size, type) are set through the tool by the customer. Fields can be logically interconnected (automatically filling list values depending on values of other fields) using a filter tool. All fields can be set to a hidden attribute so that they will not appear on the form but exist in the database. Fields can also be set as required fields.

Business logic is also customizable as are distribution lists and procedures. Users preparing reports may customize reports and save report templates for quick retrieval and use. 

The advantages of the administrator tool are:

• Dynamic creation of data forms, reference libraries, system tree
• Full control over displayed filed names/fields
• User accounts and permissions update
• Adjustment of data flow
• Does not require programming
• Customizable workflow

This tool enables the organization to build a totally customized FRACAS system that is built according to the organization's processes and business logic. 

FavoWeb FRACAS is designed so that team management can directly create and modify data input forms as well as workflow and group permissions without having any prior database maintenance training. This allows for development of the FRACAS program along with the technical program with no substantial time lag. This flexibility insures low maintenance costs.

Favoweb FRACAS Connectivity

One of the most difficult problems in large organizations is the complications that arise from multiple databases. These begin with multiple data redundancies and end with critical miscommunication. FavoWeb FRACAS is compatible with other organization databases including ERP systems and can interface, acquire and export from other Oracle systems, SQL Servers, SAP, third party FRACAS as well as legacy systems. 

FavoWeb FRACAS can be integrated with almost any legacy system that is already in use in the organization:

• Integration with PDM systems
• Oracle, SQL Server, DB2 support
• CRM integration (Siebel, MS, etc.)
• Mail server
• ERP, SAP, Oracle application
• Any standard protocol support