Applicability - Analysis Plan
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Analysis Plan
Part 1: Identification of the technological characteristics
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Part 2: Operations strategy for military logistics management
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Technology strategy
Competitive priorities of feasible technologies
Sources of innovation
Who/what/where/how (Value chain analysis)
Measures of performance
Remaining technical challenges
Push versus pull technology and its likely ramifications
Satisfying the identified demands
Identifying and resolving the barriers of implementation
Identifying, assessing, and improving the value chain model of military
supply system
Conclusions
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Value Chain Overview
Optimized
Supply
Instructions
Resource
Supply System
Supply Commands
and Master Plans
Logistics
Planning
System
Logistics Nodes
(Brigade/
Battalion/
Company
Command post)
Military Logistics
Communication System
Information Symmetry
Physical
Resource
Allocation
Field Troops
Inventory Status
Report and Supply
Request
Operations
Planning
System
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Technology Strategy
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Determine Fundamental Issues
Examine Results of Demand and Feasibility Subgroups
Compare and Contrast Results with Applicability Analysis
Determine Technology Recommendation
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Competitive Priorities
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Reliability
Convenience and user-friendliness
Customizability
As cheap as possible
Sources of Innovation
(1)
(2)
Demand and Feasibility work
Existing technologies and logistics networks
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Value Chain Model
(1)
Fundamental Enablers
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Mobile communication and computing technology
Operations management technology
Collaborative physical logistics system
(2) Uniqueness/Sustainability
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Military-customized PDA
Easy and high performances planning and tracking software
Barcode and RFID systems
Cross-disciplinary education and training programs
(3) Value Chain Transformation
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The biggest change is on the communication system
Transition from an imperfect symmetry of information
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Measures of Performance
(1)
(2)
Effectiveness is more critical than efficiency
Focused effectiveness
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(3)
Speed
Accuracy
Reliability
Security
Quality measure
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Product-based measure
Operations-based measure
Value-based measure
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Analysis and Assessment of Remaining Challenges
(1)
Network
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Existing architecture includes multiple infrastructures
Logistics communication architecture has significant limitations
Security issues
Potential for unintended consequences
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(2)
Security
Management
Over-reliance
Process Methodology
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Extensive use of MS Windows and MS applications
De facto standardized use of PDA’s
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Analysis and Assessment of Remaining Challenges (cont’d)
(1)
(2)
Data Input/Output
Interoperability
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(3)
Multiple systems in existing architecture
Growing trend towards use of .xml format
User Interface
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Prolific use of MS Windows, PDA, and other similarly formatted
interface
Field conditions
Applicability – Part I
Identification of the technological characteristics
Technology Transfer and Diffusion
Critical factor 1:
Standardization:
Interoperability between users, information, and resources
Critical factor 2:
Training and instruction:
Training of IT skills and cross-discipline operations
Critical factor 3:
Simulation before implementation:
Pilot and human-embedded simulation to reduce cultural frictions
Applicability – Part II
Operations strategy for military logistics management
Question 1:
How can we satisfy the identified demands ?
Answer:
The best way to implement the system is to create a
tracking system with modified versions of FBCB2CSSCS networks.
Applicability – Part II
Operations strategy for military logistics management
Question 2: What are the barriers in implementing the
technologies in the current setting of business (military),
and how can we resolve the difficulties?
Answer:
Network infrastructure and de facto standards of
software and hardware.
Resolution is most favorable through adapting and
leveraging when possible off existing programs.
- Integrate with current and near-future technological
environment
- Understand the network and system security requirements
Applicability – Part II
Operations strategy for military logistics management
Question 3:
What does the value chain model of military supply system look
like? What is the weakest link, if exists, and how can we strengthen
the value on it?
Answer:
Typically, many of state-of-the-art management information systems fail
in implementing the seamless coordination between human factors
and the IT system.
The weakest point is the insufficient collaboration of physical supply
system and field users with the IT system.
The management should consider some forms of promoting actions
such as rewards and incentives, innovative education, practical
training, operations simulation, and gradual deployment of system.
Applicability – Part II
Operations strategy for military logistics management
Value Chain Model (Revisited)
Optimized
Supply
Instructions
Resource
Supply System
Supply Commands
and Master Plans
Logistics
Planning
System
Logistics Nodes
(Brigade/
Battalion/
Company
Command post)
Military Logistics
Communication System
Information Symmetry
Physical
Resource
Allocation
Field Troops
Inventory Status
Report and Supply
Request
Operations
Planning
System
Conclusion
Recommend augmentation of existing systems
(rather than new development)
- Existing systems offer opportunity to leverage
capabilities
- Most of the remaining challenges are currently
being addressed by technology developments in
Army R&D
- Least disruption on value chain