An international specification for aerospace logistics support that has been widely adopted for ILS. AECMA Specification 2000M covers Provisioning and AECMA Specification 1000D covers Electronic Documentation.
Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle Support requires that information regarding both the product and the [product] project, throughout its full life duration, is provided in digital format. This includes information regarding the initial research and design, the creation of the product, the use and maintenance of the product, through to the final demise.
By making available all the data in digital format, precise information, be it simple notes or detailed plans, can be rapidly called upon and be made available.
CIRPLS is a UK MOD implementation of CALS and currently the mandated tri-service policy for the acquisition of new equipment and its subsequent support. CIRPLS aims to establish and maintain, according to ILS principles, a major element of what is termed an Integrated Weapons Systems Database (IWSDB) for new equipment and to provide these same facilities for legacy equipment (equipment not procured according to ILS principles) as for new equipment.
In order for CALS to function, there needs to be some form of electronic networking to ensure effective communication in the request and delivery of data. There also need to be standards adhered to as many groups may be sharing and accessing the information. However, data will also need to be controlled so that only authorised users will have the access they require. CITIS is the name of a service which will ensure the above. Such a service is provided and maintained by a contractor, who is also responsible for integrating the data to ensure that information access is not prevented by incompatibilities.
An information store of individual Data Modules, containing textual and/or non-textual information, required for the production of Technical Publications for a system and its associated support. The information is stored in units, called Data Modules, which are indexed by their unique Data Module Code and can be extracted to produce the required outputs. Each Data Module contains issue control mechanisms to maintain configuration control of the CSDB.
The DCSA is recognised as the deliverer of Integrated Information Solutions to Defence and has continued to grow since its inception in 1998 to include the provision of through life Information Solutions to our customers. The Agency joined the DLO, which was formed to rationalise Defence Logistics, in 2000. However, it serves the whole of the MOD. The DCSA is a one-stop-shop for the provision of Defence wide communications and information systems and services. The DCSA has a very significant role to play within this new environment which is
"To Deliver future Technical Coherence across DCSA Managed Services"
It is the responsibility of the DCSA to take the technological innovation in information systems and turn them into workable services and solutions that will bring business benefits to Defence.
The DCSA mission is:
"To enhance Defence operational advantage and business efficiency through the delivery of integrated Information Solutions."
Def Stan 00-60 provides the UK MOD with a comprehensive standard for its ILS projects. It has been formed around Mil Std 1388 1A and 2B, AECMA S2000M (chapters 20, 21) and AECMA S1000D (chapter 10) and has extended the application into a fully integrated logistics solution. Def Stan 00-60 selects relevant AECMA standards and provides a profile for UK implementation. It achieves this by developing the LSAR so that it can handle data necessary for Electronic Documentation and Integrated Supply Support Procedures.
The standard provides for the integration of data common to all three processes using the LSAR relational databases and associated business rules as the area for integrating data. The basic relational structure of Mil Std 1388-2B has been utilised with additional data, relational tables and business rules added to provide the additional functionality.
Founded in 1962 as Electronic Data Systems, EDS is the leading global information technology (IT) services company. EDS provides strategies, solutions, services and products to help clients succeed in the digital economy. EDS was established in the UK in 1984. In the past four years this very important part of EDS has more than trebled in size and now serves more than 120 major clients across most major industry sectors.
The LAIPT/EDS partnership started operation in March 1996 and is an IT service provision contract with call-off services. It was originally set up to serve the QMG’s organisation through the Logistics Information Systems Agency (LISA). In 2001, it was broadened to address the needs of the newly-created LAIPT and its customers within the DLO. The contract is a partnership between the MoD and EDS, and includes a profit-sharing arrangement whereby the LAIPT benefits from the commercial success of the partnership.
On the LAIPT’s behalf, EDS supports and maintains a wide range of in-service logistic support systems, including BODMS, GLOBAL, Stores Systems 3. It also provides infrastructure support through the Single Source Maintenance sub-contract with NEXTRA, and undertakes the development of new systems. EDS Defence are partners of LAIPT and providers of technical support for many DLO IT systems. In particular, EDS provides technical support for DR.
Equipment Failure Reports are submitted by end users of equipment when the equipment fails or does not perform as designed. There are two types of EFR forms. The EFR A is the initial incident report completed by the user, while the EFR B is the interim/final unit repair/investigation report. EFRs are also referred to as "Incidents".
The Equipment Failure Reporting System (EFRS) was originally part of the CAESAR project and resulted from the recommendations of the Equipment Support Information Needs Study (ESINS). EFRS was subsequently split out into a separate development project. The system was designed to automate and increase the efficiency of the way in which ATSA conducted its business by reducing the time spent inputting EFR data and eliminating any backlog of input. Essentially, the system comprises three main elements:
| Scanning in of EFR
forms. | |
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Population of the underlying
Oracle database. |
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User access to data, including analysis of cases and production of reports. |
Both types of EFR forms are handled by the system. The system attempts to match these up where feasible. The system allows also EFRs to be grouped together into "cases".
JAD is a requirements definition and user interface design method which focuses on business issues and problems rather than technical implementation details. In a JAD environment, business user representatives are an integral part of the development team, providing direction and feedback directly to the developers through a series of workshops and prototype reviews. This approach will best ensure that the delivered integration will meet business requirements and gain end-user acceptance.
Where the user base is wide or inexperienced in a new business system such as ILS, it is often hard to identify representative users. In the early JADs especially, Subject Matter Experts (SME) are nominated to ensure that the developed functionality supports the rigours of supported standards e.g. Def Stan 00-60. Once prototypes or live versions of the system are available, more real users are involved in JADs to ensure the interface is suitable for practical use.
The Logistics Applications Integrated Project Team is part of the Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA). The LAIPT offers a "one stop shop" for Logistic Information Solutions and aims to be the first choice for Logistic Applications Service Provision in Defence. The LAIPT's breadth of expertise in developing and providing Logistic Applications in the Aviation, Maritime and Land environments enables it to meet current and future requirements. It is well positioned to identify and implement best practice in the management of Logistic Applications. The LAIPT adds significant value to Defence by fully realising the benefits from emergent technical opportunities. The LAIPT's Purpose is:
"To enhance operational capability and business efficiency by the effective delivery of integrated logistics information solutions that embrace technical opportunity and best practice."
Logistic Support Analysis (LSA) is the principal tool of ILS. It comprises of a series of processes aimed at developing the optimum support. LSA introduces a series of analytical tasks which:
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Identify support planning and
management requirements for a system/equipment project (100 series tasks)
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Define the support
requirements for a system/equipment, identifying major cost drivers and
risks (200 series tasks) |
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Develop alternative support
solutions and determine the optimum solution through the use of trade-off
analysis (300 series tasks) |
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Identify the required
resources to implement the chosen support solution (400 series tasks)
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Validate the support solution adopted, once the system/equipment enters service (500 series tasks) |
The LSAR provides a uniform, organized, yet flexible technical data base which consolidates the engineering and logistic data necessary to identify the detailed logistic support requirements of a system or equipment.
The primary function of the LSAR is to ensure that all areas with responsibility for the design and support aspects of a system have access to the same, most up to date, information. This reduces duplication, eliminates discrepancies and follows the CALS principle of creating data once and using many times.
The LSAR is the data set that supports the documentation of detailed engineering and logistic support requirements generated by the LSA process. Standard requirements, data element definitions, and LSAR data record formats are prescribed by Def Stan 00-60, Part 0, Annex C.
Metaphase™ is a Product Data Management package. The original vendors were SDRC now part of the EDS Corporation. The package is being upgraded to a web-based product called Teamcenter™. Teamcenter™ can be closely integrated with several other Enterprise products in the same software family.
OmegaPS™ is the world's leading LSAR package and conforms to current and previous standards mandated for defence contracts, but is increasingly being used in commercial applications. The original vendors were Solvera, now taken over by Pennant.
Pennant creates managed hosting, system architecture and database solutions that are specifically tailored to customer's business and technolgoical needs. Pennant specializes in leading commercial and open source technologies such as Java, Oracle, Linux, MySQL and many others. Pennant have taken over the business of Solvera and are now the vendors of Omega PS™ LSAR management software.
SDRC were the vendors of Metaphase™ the Product Data Management package. The company began in 1967, initially to provide advanced engineering consultancy services. SDRC is now part of the EDS Corporation and the division has been re-named as "EDS PLM Solutions".
Solvera Information Services Ltd were the vendors of Omega PS™ LSAR management software. The business has been taken over by Pennant.
The System Management Board gives direction and guidance to the Project Manager. It is their job to review and approve project tasks, ensuring that the target is achieved within defined boundaries.