HELIOS automates five critical humanitarian logistics processes:  request processing, project management, mobilization, procurement, and warehousing.  It provides organization-wide visibility to the entire humanitarian supply chain, from source to final destination, via a tracking module that tracks commodities flowing through the supply chain at the line-item level, as well as a full complement of management reports.  For more information, visit the HELIOS Modules page.

HELIOS is not intended to function as a Fleet Management system. HELIOS performs basic asset tracking functions but is not currently a total asset management system. There is discussion on extending HELIOS's capabilities in asset tracking. Interfaces can be developed to link HELIOS to existing tools.

HELIOS is not intended to function as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. HELIOS performs project requirement functions but is not a replacement for a dedicated ERP system. Interfaces can be developed to link HELIOS to existing ERP tools.

HELIOS is not intended to function as a Material Resource Planning (MRP) system. HELIOS performs project requirement functions but is not a replacement for a dedicated MRP system. Interfaces can be developed to link HELIOS to existing MRP tools.

No. Although HELIOS handles budget codes, exchange rates, it is expected that organisations will have dedicated financial systems. Interfaces can be developed to link HELIOS to these systems.

HELIOS provides the following reports for humanitarian supply chain management:

• Pipeline Report
  
• Arrived Goods Report
  
• Stock Movement Report
  
• Inventory Counting Report
  
• Commodity Tracking Number (CTN) Report
  
• Delivery Report
  
• PO-PI-GRN Report
  
• Mobilization Table
  
• Activity Volume Report
  
• Average Lead Time Report
  
• Required Delivery Date Report
  

• Request Dashboard
  
• Project Dashboard
  
• Procurement Dashboard
  
• Warehouse Dashboard
  

Reports are accessed from a convenient user interface that allows users to input their own parameters, such as date, locations, etc.  Users can also determine how they want data on the reports to be sorted. Dashboards provide ongoing activity monitoring.

Reporting needs beyond the pre-defined reports in HELIOS can be addressed by exporting data from HELIOS into popular PC programs such as Microsoft Access and Excel.  Data exporting is done via a convenient user interface.

The benefits that HELIOS provides fit into four major categories:

• Maximize impact of humanitarian relief efforts
• Improve efficiency of humanitarian supply chain operations
• Enhance the relationship between humanitarian organization and donors
• Flexibility, affordability, ease of implementation and use

For more detailed information on these benefits, visit the HELIOS Benefits page.

HELIOS is the only supply chain solution that combines the following attributes:

• Developed specifically for humanitarian logistics, with direction from humanitarian logistics professionals
• Fully functional both online and offline (without an Internet connection)
• Provides both field and headquarters perspectives
• Manages humanitarian supply chain in both disaster and �steady state� situations
• Can be accessed online (ASP) or hosted on a humanitarian organization�s own hardware
• Flexible: Organisations can select to only use certain modules<.ul>

HELIOS was developed using Microsoft .NET platform (currently on .Net 3.5). It is designed to run on the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system, with Microsoft SQL Server 2005. To access it, users only need Internet Explorer browser version 5.0 or higher. Organizations opting to use HELIOS on a standalone laptop at least Windows XP.

HELIOS can be integrated with an organization�s ERP, Procurement, Financial or other legacy systems via standard XML tools.

HELIOS can be accessed from PCs running at least Windows 95 or 98 and an Internet Explorer browser version 5.0 or higher. Organizations opting to use HELIOS on a standalone laptop at least Windows XP.

By subscribing to the project, organisations get technical support for HELIOS is available from anywhere in the world. Humanitarian organizations implementing HELIOS will be expected to provide first-level support for their own user community. Any issues that cannot be resolved by the organization�s first-level support group can be escalated to HELIOS second-level support via online resources such as the issue tracker and support webiste as well as by telephone, skype and email. For more information on HELIOS Technical Support, contact Fritz Institute's HELIOS Product Manager Fraser Stephens at fraser.stephens@fritzinstitute.org.

In the mythology of ancient Greece, HELIOS was the god of the sun. All-knowing and all-seeing, HELIOS rode his fiery chariot across the sky, bringing light to the earth. This is the perfect metaphor for the HELIOS solution, since it brings visibility to the humanitarian supply chain on a global scale.

As of January 2008, Pilot implementations are in progress with three humanitarian organizations.

HELIOS was developed as a joint effort between Fritz Institute, Blue Star Infotech of Mumbai, India, and Blue Star�s U.S. partner Iris Logic. There has also been considerable support and input from the piloting organisations.

HELIOS is not a commercial application, therefore the project has only to ensure that support costs are met and that the right resources are in place to guarantee that the project thrives and has a secure future. For further information on HELIOS pricing, contact Fritz Institute's HELIOS Product Manager Fraser Stephens at fraser.stephens@fritzinstitute.org.

Humanitarian organizations interested in implementing HELIOS should contact Fraser Stephens at fraser.stephens@fritzinstitute.org.  The first step is to conduct a beta test evaluation of HELIOS.  If HELIOS is a good fit for your organization, Fritz Institute will provide full assistance to humanitarian organizations implementing HELIOS in the form of a structured implementation process that guides the organization through an evaluation of HELIOS, business case development, business process analysis, project management, and post implementation process improvement. 

For more information, contact Fritz Institute's HELIOS Product Manager Fraser Stephens at fraser.stephens@fritzinstitute.org.