Applicability - Analysis Plan Analysis Plan Part 1: Identification of the technological characteristics –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 Part 2: Operations strategy for military logistics management –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 Field Troops Logistics Planning System Logistics Nodes (Brigade/ Battalion/ Company Command post) Logistics Nodes (Brigade/ Battalion/ Company Command post) Military Logistics Communication System Military Logistics Communication System Resource Supply System Resource Supply System Physical Resource Allocation Inventory Status Report and Supply Request Supply Commands and Master Plans Optimized Supply Instructions Information Symmetry Operations Planning System Operations Planning System

Applicability – Part I Identification of the technological characteristics Technology Strategy (1)Determine Fundamental Issues (2)Examine Results of Demand and Feasibility Subgroups (3)Compare and Contrast Results with Applicability Analysis (4)Determine Technology Recommendation

Applicability – Part I Identification of the technological characteristics Competitive Priorities (1)Reliability (2)Convenience and user-friendliness (3)Customizability (4)As cheap as possible Sources of Innovation (1)Demand and Feasibility work (2)Existing technologies and logistics networks

Applicability – Part I Identification of the technological characteristics Value Chain Model (1)Fundamental Enablers Mobile communication and computing technology Operations management technology Collaborative physical logistics system (2) Uniqueness/Sustainability 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 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)Effectiveness is more critical than efficiency (2)Focused effectiveness Speed Accuracy Reliability Security (3)Quality measure Product-based measure Operations-based measure Value-based measure

Analysis and Assessment of Remaining Challenges (1)Network Existing architecture includes multiple infrastructures Logistics communication architecture has significant limitations Security issues Potential for unintended consequences Security Management Over-reliance (2)Process Methodology 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)Data Input/Output (2)Interoperability Multiple systems in existing architecture Growing trend towards use of.xml format (3)User Interface 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 FBCB2- CSSCS 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) Field Troops Logistics Planning System Logistics Nodes (Brigade/ Battalion/ Company Command post) Logistics Nodes (Brigade/ Battalion/ Company Command post) Military Logistics Communication System Military Logistics Communication System Resource Supply System Resource Supply System Physical Resource Allocation Inventory Status Report and Supply Request Supply Commands and Master Plans Optimized Supply Instructions Information Symmetry Operations Planning System 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