THINK SAFE. THINK ICS.
RAMS Management: solution for safety-critical rail systems
RAMS stands for "Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety" and forms the basis for a holistic view of the performance and safety of systems.
Your challenges are what drive us
As an operator or manufacturer of safety-critical rail systems, you face challenges every day. We understand these and work with you to develop customized solutions that address all of these critical issues.
Complexity of the systems
The simultaneous consideration of reliability, availability, maintainability and safety requires specialized expertise that is often lacking internally.
Increasing regulatory requirements
Standards such as EN 50126/ IEC 62278, EN 50128 or EN 50716/ IEC 62279, EN 50129/ IEC 62425 and IEC 61508 set high standards for planning, implementation and verification and are constantly changing.
Cost risks and budget pressure
Inadequate safety concepts can lead to expensive failures, delays in the certification process and increased operating costs.
Insufficient risk analyses
Incomplete identification and assessment of risks makes it difficult to take precise risk mitigation measures.
Integration of cybersecurity
In addition to functional security, it is becoming increasingly important to integrate IT security aspects into your system, which is often an additional challenge.
Our proven V-model approach
From the concept phase to decommissioning. To systematically overcome your challenges, we rely on the V-model, a proven development process for safety-critical rail systems in accordance with EN 50126. Our approach covers the entire life cycle.
Functional safety - the indispensable basis for all mobility
The safety of your systems is our top priority. As an experienced partner for safety-critical applications, we know exactly what is important - from the definition of requirements to successful acceptance. Our team brings in-depth specialist knowledge, a deep understanding of the industry and decades of project experience to implement your systems reliably, compliantly and future-proof. We guarantee you the highest quality standards and consistently ensure compliance with all relevant standards and specifications. This is how we create trust in every phase of your project.
- Concept and application conditions:
We develop a comprehensive system concept and define precise application conditions to cover your requirements right from the start. - Specification and allocation of system requirements:
Our team of experts gathers all system requirements and allocates them to the respective components in a targeted manner for clear structures and traceability. - Design and implementation:
We use proven methods to design and implement the framework conditions for hardware and software, including the integration of subsystems and peripheral systems. - Production and integration:
The selected or developed hardware is configured and integrated in order to reliably provide the desired functionality. - Validation and system acceptance:
Through comprehensive testing and acceptance steps, we verify that your system meets the specified RAMS requirements and all regulatory requirements. - Operation, maintenance and monitoring:
We support you throughout operation, from regular maintenance to continuous performance monitoring, to ensure long-term safe operation. - Decommissioning and disposal:
At the end of the life cycle, we support you in the safe and efficient decommissioning and environmentally friendly disposal of your system.
Why RAMS management
RAMS management not only increases the technical maturity of your products and systems, but also their cost-effectiveness and service life. It is the basis for sustainable quality, from development through operation to decommissioning.
Holistic system performance
Identify and optimize weak points and errors in your system design at an early stage with regard to reliability, availability, maintainability and security.
Managing risks
Reduce potential risks, increase the efficiency of your systems and ensure smooth operation.
Reduce costs
Avoid unnecessary iterations in the development process, long project runtimes and high costs. We also support you with scalable processes for smaller development projects.
Support of the system over the lifecycle
From the initial concept to safe decommissioning, we accompany you through all phases.
Our RAMS management services
Our specialist knowledge, combined with decades of industry experience, ensures that your systems are implemented reliably, in compliance with regulations and future-proof. We guarantee the highest quality standards and consistently ensure compliance with all relevant standards and regulations.
RAM management
- RAM plan: Planning and implementation of hardware-related aspects in accordance with EN 50126.
- Validation plans and maintenance requirements: creation and operational support.
- Analyses and calculations: Implementation of reliability and availability analyses as well as LCC analyses.
Safety management
- Safety plan: Planning and implementation of safety management in accordance with EN 50126 and EN 50129.
- Hazard analyses: Implementation of FMECA, FTA, PHA, HA (based on the HAZOP method) and SW-FMEA to identify weak points.
- Safety validation: CENELEC-compliant development of hardware and software, supported by EN 50126, EN 50128, EN 50657 and EN 50716.
- Safety verification: Creation of safety cases in accordance with EN 50126-2 and EN 50129.
- Auditing and approval: Support with independent assessments.
- Expert knowledge: Decades of experience with the interaction of safety and security.
Quality for RAMS
- Quality Management: Development and implementation of quality management plans according to EN 50126 and EN 50129.
- Software quality assurance: Planning and implementation in accordance with EN 50128, EN 50657 or EN 50716.
- Quality and configuration management: Establishment and implementation of robust processes.
- Quality audit: Implementation and reporting in accordance with EN 50129.
- Quality management report: Preparation as an integral part of the proof of safety in accordance with EN 50129.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about RAMS Management
What is RAMS Management?
RAMS Management stands for Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety. It is a holistic approach that ensures that your safety-critical systems remain reliable, available, maintainable and safe throughout their entire life cycle.
Which standards are taken into account in RAMS management?
We follow established standards such as EN 50126, EN 50716, EN 50129, IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 (for the automotive sector) to ensure the highest safety and quality standards.
How does our V-model approach differ in RAMS management?
Our V-model process covers the entire life cycle - from the concept phase to specification, design, production, validation, operation and decommissioning. In this way, we ensure a structured and standard-compliant implementation of all requirements. However, we also adapt other process models, such as SCRUM, with which we also work in compliance with standards.
How is validation and system acceptance ensured?
Through comprehensive tests, acceptance steps and a detailed link to verification and validation processes (VVQ), we ensure that your system complies with the specified RAMS requirements and all regulatory requirements.
How does ICS support you throughout the entire life cycle of your systems?
From initial concept development to regular maintenance, support for system and software development and monitoring during operation through to environmentally friendly decommissioning, we are with you every step of the way - to ensure long-term safe and reliable operation.
Get in touch with us.
With ICS, you have a strong partner at your side who understands your pain points and supports you with proven processes. Contact us for a no-obligation initial consultation and find out how we can design your safety-critical rail systems reliably and economically.