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Columbia Helicopters utilizes collectiveFleet to manage it's large variety of equipment with improved efficiency.

"Collective Data has been a wonderful asset to Columbia Helicopters. They understand us, what we are trying to accomplish, and they made that happen right from the beginning and consistently throughout our endeavors."
-Rick Carroll, Fleet Manager

In the past 50 years, Columbia Helicopters has become one of the world's largest heavy-lift helicopter companies. Currently with a fleet of over 30 aircraft, the company provides a variety of lift services to meet a variety of needs. Annually, they yard more timber than any other company.

Supporting these 30 aircraft is no easy task, but their team of fleet professionals gets the job done with the help of Collective Data software. They track nearly 2000 pieces of equipment that support the 30 aircraft. Everything from a 4500 gallon Freightliner Nurse Truck for fueling to an air regulator valve for their fire suppression equipment are in their system.

A diverse fleet calls for a flexible software solution.

Columbia Helicopters has used various versions of the software since 2006, and there was one important feature that helped them decide to implement Collective Data software.

"Flexibility," said Rick Carroll, Fleet Manager for Columbia Helicopters. "We have a very diverse fleet of equipment to support our operations. Collective Data has worked with us to build completely custom screens and reports that allow us to see the details that are unique to us. Not only does this software organize and report vehicles, but hundreds of helicopter support equipment items are cataloged and tracked as well."

Among many software functions used by Columbia Helicopters, they run a variety of reports that are critical to their organization. Among those is a custom Motor Pool report that shows what they have available for the day to support their operations, as well as a report that shows what is currently checked out in their motor pool. Knowing the location of each of their pieces of equipment is also critical to operations.

"We have equipment spread out from Papua New Guinea to South America," commented Carroll. "Our equipment location history report allows us to see when and where a piece of equipment has moved. Then we can plan for upcoming maintenance/inspections and whether it is performed in country or ship it back to the U.S. for very specific tasks that we accomplish here."

Less time gathering data. More time on important tasks.

Before Columbia Helicopters implemented the Collective Data system, they were spending numerous labor hours trying to gather all the data they needed regarding the fleet.

"We've eliminated the need to go through an individual equipment file to tabulate various costs, body damage, service maintenance costs, cost per mile, etc.," commented Carroll.

Since getting the system in place, they've been able to increase efficiency and help keep their fleet performing at an even more superior level. This will allow them to grow and continue to be a leading provider of lift services throughout the world.

A print-friendly version of this success story is available for download here:
Columbia Helicopters Success Story.