FAQ: Is SureOps or SureOps Plus a better fit for my needs?

There is obviously no right or wrong answer to this question as needs are client specific.

SureOps is SureConsult’s turnkey aircraft ground deicing program designed to meet and exceed industry standards and regulations. It offers a comprehensive, ready-to-implement solution for managing and improving winter operations, including program management and training.

SureOps Plus is our configurable version of the SureOps solution, which allows subscribers to integrate details of their operations into the off-the-shelf SureOps framework. This configuration can include adapting procedures, training modules, and other program elements to better fit unique requirements of more complex deicing operations.

So how do the two options compare?

Pros – SureOps: The key to SureOps is simplicity. SureOps is a pre-built, turnkey, gold-standard solution that is harmonized to eliminate differences in various air carrier programs. SureOps can be purchased and deployed rapidly by any subscriber without fanfare. As an off-the-shelf solution with no permissible configuration, SureOps has lower annual subscription fees and requires less effort on behalf of the subscriber to implement. SureOps addresses the deicing program needs of most airlines and deicing service providers. Pricing is also scaled to the size of the operation, making it accessible to all users.

Cons – SureOps: SureOps is a generic program developed for the common operation as a baseline. While this may suffice for most subscribers, the program may not perfectly align with a subscriber’s more unique program requirements or those of the subscriber’s customer airlines, requiring the user to possibly develop and maintain company-specific differences. Like all other off-the-shelf solutions, SureOps is branded generically and contains no subscriber visual content. And for some larger or more unique customers with specific operating or training needs, SureOps offers very limited or no flexibility.

Pros – SureOps Plus: SureOps Plus allows the subscriber to fully configure procedures, workflows, and content within the pre-existing structure of the program. This ensures that the program is optimized for the user’s needs, rather than forcing them to adapt to the limitations of a generic solution. SureOps Plus is more efficient and linear for the subscriber. For airline customers that perform self-deicing activities, the program also allows for full alignment of processes and training for flight crews and ground crews, including those contained in the airline’s regulator-approved deicing program. The program can also be fully branded to the customer’s needs using visual content that depicts customer aircraft, equipment and personnel, allowing for improved adoption by the customer. SureOps Plus is ultimately a more adaptable and scalable platform, and as operations evolve and improve over time and new requirements arise, the program can be easily modified to accommodate changes.

Cons – SureOps Plus: The configurable SureOps Plus has a higher annual subscription fee, although this concern is offset by the overall quality and specificity of the program, which alleviate costs in the long run and improve overall learning and adoption. The  configurable solution also has a longer lead time to development and implementation, which depends on the extent of subscriber configurations and the availability and quality of the subscriber’s visual content to be integrated within the program.

In Summary: The decision on which solution is right for any customer is specific to the needs of that customer, and there are numerous pros and cons for each approach. As a general rule, SureOps is suitable for common deicing operations, while SureOps Plus is more suitable for complex on non-standard operations.

A new customer trend has also emerged in recent months, whereby a customer will implement SureOps in Year 1 and will then proceed with SureOps Plus in subsequent years. This staggered approach allows the customer to implement the ready-to-use solution immediately, thus eliminating the lead time issues to develop the configured solution and to collect the necessary visual content that will form the basis of the configured solution.

To help you understand available SureOps options and identify which approach might be right for your organization, please contact a SureConsult expert.