There are several benefits to be gained from the introduction of a complete end-to-end HUMS/EAM support solution.
Over the last decade or so, performance-based logistics (PBL) has been extraordinarily successful. So much so that it is now seeing rapid, global adoption as budget-conscious governments seek to share risk exposure with their vendors, and maximize asset efficiency and availability. Just look at the amazing results from the General Electric Aviation and U.S. Navy F414 PBL project: by using PBL they achieved savings of over $110 million and availability levels of 95 percent!
But what if you had a solution that integrates live data from a monitoring solution on board your asset into the enterprise asset management (EAM) PBL support solution? What if you could view information on the real-time usage, performance and asset health of a fleet in the context of the deliverables of a PBL contract? Health usage monitoring systems (HUMS) have been used for many years as an integrated diagnostic, data-logging system in aviation, but much of the data has been unusable and unmanageable. Here at IFS, we are integrating the two to provide a real enhanced capability.
The ROI of integrating HUMS with PBL
In aerospace and defense (A&D), manufacturers and contractors offer PBL contracts to provide a complete package to their customers and gain access to increased and predictable revenue streams. In fact, 80 percent of potential revenue typically sits outside the initial purchase, and lies within the “after-market” of maintenance and logistics. If these contractors and vendors also have access to operational data feedback to inform future design or efficiency in the supply chain, then they can provide serious return on investment (ROI) to their customers and to their own design and delivery processes.
But in order to obtain this vital information, data must be collected first from the assets themselves. This is complicated by the fact that land vehicles in recent conflicts have evolved in order to deal with new threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDS), making assets more complex and equipped with numerous integrated systems. Defense organizations would therefore seriously benefit from the introduction of an integrated vehicular HUMS that monitors the vehicle chassis and the payload, and is integrated into the wider solution.
Holistic Benefits of the HUMS Enterprise Support Solution
So for a supplier with a PBL contract, accurate assessment of asset availability is vital in order to manage the fleet and align with operations. Because of the nature of recent conflicts, as well as decreasing fleet sizes, the ability to assess and predict suitability and availability of particular types of assets is even more important.
There are several benefits to be gained from the introduction of a complete end-to-end HUMS/EAM support solution:
- Reliable operational data capture with guidance on requisite service and maintenance tasks
- Increased asset availability, and operational effectiveness
- Reduced waiting time for parts and greater control over inventory, based on which parts are needed and when
- Reduction in manpower and infrastructure/logistics footprint through more efficient maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) planning
- Through-life operation costs are reduced through more efficient support and increased vehicle fleet life
- Consistent, accurate and timely management and operational conclusions
- Coordinated and consistent support to warranty management.
No Longer Just a Theory
A viable business case can therefore be defined for the introduction of an integrated and synchronized vehicular HUMS/EAM support solution, and realizable benefits are achievable. In vehicle and systems engineering terms, we have reached a point where by integrating HUMS as part of a PBL contract, it is a realistic proposition. Suppliers and contractors now have the capability to move from a reactive, legacy equipment failure management position, to one that is predictive and forward-looking, based on data captured within the vehicle itself.
Here at IFS, we fully believe in the value of a holistic approach to the supply chain. You can explore this approach in more detail by downloading our new Whitepaper around the benefits of how information from HUMS can be synchronized with enterprise PBL support solutions to significantly enhance data collection and optimize maintenance.
