The evolution of data management

Embrace the transition from SMIS to Safe Insights, a cutting-edge system designed to enhance data quality, streamline reporting, and unlock powerful new insights.

Safe Insights:

Preparing for a new chapter in safety data management

Sarah Shooter,
Editorial Content Manager, RSSB

In 2017, the launch of SMIS was a major step in health and safety reporting, collaboration, and business intelligence for the rail industry. Later in 2025, it will be replaced by a new system. The new system is called Safe Insights and is being developed in-house by RSSB's digital team. Safe Insights will build on the successes of SMIS to deliver an improved interface, better quality data, and more advanced insights. Why the system is changing
The decision to update the system is a direct response to user feedback and experience. Taking the earliest window of opportunity to do so, we are bringing this project in-house. Our new solution, Safe Insights, has been developed internally to resolve longstanding challenges and make significant cost savings. It’s a tailored solution that will better meet the needs of our members and allow us to be more responsive in further improvements. We know system change can be challenging, and it’s our priority to ensure the changeover will be as smooth and beneficial as possible. How will Safe Insights be better?
Safe Insights will increase the quality of data, speed up the process of recording and sharing information, and deliver advanced safety insights. The interface will look similar, which supports a smooth transition. But improvements have been made at every level in the system.

Time-saving: Safe Insights is designed to significantly reduce the amount of time members need to spend manually entering reports.

API: Members using the RSSB Safety Data Connector will find their data automatically available in Safe Insights – no need to manually re-enter.

AI Integration: To save time and clicks, we are introducing an AI companion called Rio. Rio will recommend categories, pre-populate information, and tailor questions to the user. Over time, this will expand to deliver even more functionality.

Streamlined interface: The interface will be more user-friendly, and key sections have been built-out to save manual work.

Record quality: Resolving ambiguity and omissions improves data. Safe Insights identifies potential issues and recommends corrections as a user enters a safety record.

Improved insights: The new system will deliver more industry intelligence, empower customer intelligence, and support better decision-making.

We asked, you answered.
The idea of Safe Insights was launched in response to feedback from industry. Its development was made possible by the tireless support of our dedicated groups and members. Our recognition and thanks go to the SMIS Advisory Group, SMIS User Group, SMIS News, SMIS Focus Group, and SMIS surgery drop-in attendees. There has been thorough industry consultation at every stage of the project. Safe Insights has been developed by the industry, for the industry. What comes next?
A pilot was launched in the third quarter of 2024/25. The full release will be in 2025. Four organisations have kindly volunteered to test the system. Their early trial will allow us to stress-test the design of our changeover process and guidance. In the meantime, here’s a first look at the Safe Insights interface, and some of the key features:

Image 1 - Start with the basics ❯

Image 2 - Effortless template matching ❯

Image 3 - Pre-filled template ❯

Want to know more

To find out more about the transition from SMIS to Safe Insights, click here.

Strategy for SMIS

Image 1 - Start with the basics. Safety event entry always begins with an event date and narrative i.e. what happened. This can be entered manually or pasted in here.

Image 2 - Effortless template matching. The safety event narrative is compared to hundreds of thousands of previously entered records in our data warehouse. ‘Rio’, our AI companion, suggests which template best fits the scenario. This saves the user time and preventing the pain of selecting an inappropriate template.

Image 3 - Pre-filled template. The date and narrative are automatically pulled into the template, and the user continues to enter the safety event in the usual way.