Logistics Support Management System (LSMS) –

The LSMS consist of two major components; an interface and a traditional LMI. The interface component provides the integration between various other information system components such as the maintenance management system, the engineering and configuration management systems, accounting and financial management systems, and various components of the TSOM. The objective of the LSMS interface is to ensure that data is only entered within a single applicable information management system and then used multiple times as needed. The LSMS interface with the engineering and configuration management systems ensures that changes to training system design are also identified and incorporated into the training system’s logistics support system and Logistics Support Package (LSP) requirements baseline. Ensuring that parallel changes in training system design are reflected in the logistics support system and LSP permit the system to optimize operational support investment dollars and ensure a high level of operational readiness capability.

The LMI function is an integral enhancement to any maintenance management system. The LMI component contains a set of logistics support analysis functions and a set of logistics data product management functions. The logistics support analysis functions are based upon the fundamentals and principles outlined within MIL-HDBK-502 (Acquisition Logistics) along with the applicable MIL and SAE standards for logistics, reliability, maintainability, spares, and maintenance analyses. The logistics data product functions are based upon the fundamentals and principles outlined within the GEIA-STD-0007 (Logistics Product Data) and MIL-HDBK-260 (Reference Data for Logistics Metrics). The logistics data product function provides the LSMS with a logistics performance and metric reporting capability that is used to optimize and manage logistics support resources and assets based upon training system delivery requirements. When changes in training system operational profiles are incorporated, the LSMS LMI provides critical managerial information regarding the support system’s capability to effectively support the new operational objectives. This information along with a host of logistics support analysis reports provides training site management personal with the daily information they need to ensure that the training system can meet its contractual delivery requirements while minimizing operational costs. The LSMS logistics support analysis functions use operational profile metric goals such as training system effectiveness, capacity utilization, spares optimization, availability and a support resources confidence factor in evaluating and determining support system performance a metric accomplishment reports. These reports provide management with the necessary information required during operational trade-off and planning decisions. Having the correct and applicable real-time logistics information adjusted or controlled by operational planning information permits the LSMS to identify the adequate levels of spares, repair parts and other sustainment assets required to successfully accomplish training delivery and student throughput objectives with the least operational costs investment. Additionally this information is used in “what-if” assessments to evaluate changes in operational requirement upon sustainment capability as well as training system delivery effectiveness. Having this information available in a near real-time ability aids management with daily operational risk mitigation efforts with respect to overall operational cost of ownership.

The LSMS logistics support analysis function is integrate with the TSOM Change Management System (CHMS) through the LSMS interface. This capability provides critical bi-directional data first for change decisions and cost impact assessments and then for managing change planning and costs associated with changes to the logistics support system and its associated logistics assets. Effectively managing changes to the logistics support system and logistics assets provides the TSOM with the ability to monitor and ensure a high level of training system capability and readiness while managing continuing support system operational costs. Additionally optimizing support capabilities and assets; lowers the cost for training investment per training delivery unit while also decreasing the probably of possessing underutilized supportability assets or paying for less than optimally utilized support assets after a change has been implemented.

The integration of the LSMS with the CHMS also provides an ability to ensure that support assets that are obsolete due to design changes are quickly identified and can be addressed at every training system geographical storage location. This capability helps control a broad range of hidden costs such as inventory management and maintenance expenditures associated with attempting to use incorrect spares and repair parts. Addressing and controlling design change obsolesces issues before they become inventory management or operational cost problems reduces management budget headaches and permits your team to focus on the more pressing daily operational needs.

The LSMS provides a web based logistics support analysis, support system metric and supportability performance reporting capability that can be setup with both predefined “one-button push” reports or ad-hoc reporting using a minimum set of report generation criteria. The LSMS report function can be an integral part of the DCARS reporting capability, or can be setup with its own independent web-based reporting capability. The support system metric reports provide management with a quick view of the operational health of the support system while the supportability performance reports depict what supportability issues might be affecting training, as well as driving unnecessary operational cost or under-optimized sustainment investments. When integrated with the DCARS; the support system and supportability performance reports can be viewed in conjunction with other training system operational performance reports to view the correlational impacts between support system issues and training system operational performance.

The LSMS contains a complete technical document management function that provides both a high level configuration management capability and a library distribution control function. This technical document management function can be integrated with the maintenance management system as well as with the engineering and configuration management systems. The LSMS provides the ability to manage all forms of documentation (technical manuals and publications, operational process Work Instructions, drawings, specifications, deliverables, on-line training etc.). Documentation accessibility can be controlled from general user who needs to view the information to document owners who can approve and incorporate changes to the documentation. The distribution and configuration management function permits version / revision control of the document while also providing users the ability to view the document’s change history as well as historical versions / revisions of the document. The web-based LSMS library management function permits any authorized user or viewer to access the documentation from any computer that is connected to the training systems network using a simple internet browser. This library function provides an easy to use GUI query function, allowing users to quickly locate and view the information they need. The LSMS library function uses a centralized management and control with a web-based distribution capability; documentation can be acquired once, stored in a single accountable location and then accessed by every training system geographical location. Using the LSMS library to control and manage your on-line training and other documentation leverages your documentation investment cost with and economies of scale while also minimizing recurring operational costs. Users can obtain the correct training or documentation, or retake training, they need, when they need it from their computer’s desktop.

The LSMS Unique Item Identifier (UID or IUID) function can be setup as an integral part of the LSMS and maintenance management system or as a stand-alone function. The UID function can be tailored or customized to your organization’s or programs UID requirements using a foundation that complies with the general requirements of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements (DFARS) Clauses 252.211-7003 and 252.211-7007, MIL-STD-129 and MIL-STD-130.

The LSMS can be provided as a stand-alone component, as an extension of a maintenance management system, or as an integral part of the Training System Operational Management (TSOM) capability.