The guiding principle of NACP-III was the unifying belief of Three Ones. This framework ensures effective use of information generated by government agencies, NGOs, civil society and development partners. Strengthening the nationwide SIMS was one of the four key strategies of the third phase of the National AIDS Control Programme of India.

SIMS is a web-based application with sophisticated tools meant for data analysis and integration from different data sources and platforms. This is the most important tool for addressing the challenges relating to the multiple data systems and data set versions. At National level, this single M&E system will prevent parallel data gathering by different individuals and divisions.

Data analysis and integration from different data sources/platforms, having adequate data quality through centralized validated data, improved data transfer mechanisms using the web-enabled application and efficient data management rights (Access Rights Control) from reporting unit to national level is the greatest hall mark of this system.

Data analysis and integration from different data sources/platforms, having adequate data quality through centralized validated data, improved data transfer mechanisms using the web-enabled application and efficient data management rights (Access Rights Control) from reporting unit to national level is the greatest hall mark of this system.

SIMS was launched in August 2010. During September 2010 to June 2011, four phases of training was undertaken for national, states, districts and reporting units level users, in which over 10,000 users were trained.

Rollout of SIMS began on pilot basis in Delhi in August 2011, followed by roll out in 7 states from September 2011 and in the remaining states from December 2011. Data entry is progress in all the states from December, 2011.

SIMS portal is backbone of the programme monitoring under National AIDS Control Programme. SIMS is an integrated web-based reporting, data management & decision support system, with monthly reporting from almost all the programme components comprising ICTC, TI, Blood banks, STI/RTI, IEC, laboratories and DAPCU. The portal also enables the analysis and dissemination of wealth of data generated under NACP.

Salient Features of SIMS:
⦁ Web-based application for data entry at various levels including Reporting Unit (RU), District & State
⦁ Provides differential data management rights to various users 
⦁ Ability to serve multiple users, data systems and data set versions 
⦁ Workflow similar to physical reporting system, but automatic aggregation to reduce manual error 
⦁ Both online and offline modes of data entry 
⦁ Once data is entered at the RU level, all higher levels can view the data in real time 
⦁ Ensures data quality checks across various reporting level 
⦁ Generates basic to advance reports using analytic tools (SAS, GIS) 

As on 31-12-2020, there are 113 reporting units in Puducherry that are registered in the SIMS.

Mostly all the reporting units are provided with updated computers and internet connection. All the reporting units are sending reports to the SACS within 5th of every month and in turn SACS forwards consolidated report of the reporting units to NACO on or before 10th of every month. In all the four regions i.e. Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, data entry in the SIMS format has been completed with respect of reporting units all four regions.

The SIMS data are shared by the divisions like Targeted Interventions, STD, Blood Bank, IEC, ICTC etc., sections for preparation of Annual Action plan, Annual Report, News bulletin etc.

⦁ It is internet based tool (software) to manage the entire data system of NACO
⦁ SIMS is a single tool, where data can be entered, monitored, analyzed and reports cam be generated
⦁ It has provision for offline data entry using MS-Excel.

The following table shows the number of reporting units registered and number of Units reporting: