Military Logistics Management for the Next Conflict
Chris Ballard, Wyly Gilfoil, Kathy Lau, Jay Miseli, Scott Ostrowski, Sebastien Prangere, Sug Je Sohn,
Heather Stevenson, Jaroslav Tyman
Agenda and Organization
IntroductionDemand
• Wyly Gilfoil, Jay Miseli
Feasibility• Kathy Lau, Scott Ostrowski, Heather
Stevenson, Jaroslav Tyman
Applicability• Chris Ballard, Sebastien Prangere, Sug Je
Sohn
Recommendations
Mission Plan
By April 19, 2004, determine the demand for, feasibility and applicability of refinement of Army logistics operations at multiple echelons for future conflicts.
Agenda
IntroductionDemandFeasibilityApplicabilityRecommendations
Demand Role and Plan
RoleDetermine if need for logistics reform exists in U.S. ArmyIf need exists, identify capabilities required to accomplish
logistics reform
PlanStep 1 – Research relevant documents dealing with
logistics in Operation Iraqi FreedomStep 2 – Conduct online survey posing questions about
logistics issues and possible solutions
DemandTask Accomplished
Relevant Articles• Army Logistics: Our Reality, Our Future• Logistics white paper• Moving those beans and bullets• Sustainment of the army depends on continuing logistics
transformation• DLA: Logistics backbone of Iraqi Freedom• Delivering logistics readiness to the warfighter
After-action Reviews Utilized• 3rd Infantry Division (mechanized)• HHC, Task Force 2-69 Armor• C/1-3 ADA
• HHC/1-24 Infantry
Completed Web-based Survey
DemandLiterature Search Results
Connect logisticians at all levels (e.g. logistics internet at all echelons)• Issues in OIF:
Lack of inventory visibility Lack of adequate communication
Modernize supply distribution• Issues in OIF:
Lack of shipment tracking Lack of adequate shipment records
DemandSurvey Results
2 Key Capabilities• Information flow with feedback mechanism
Prefer existing technology (i.e. FBCB2) Requirements sent higher with digital record and
projected fill time (or availability feedback) along with % requirement to be delivered
Must interface with all levels of logistics support
• Inventory/shipment resource UPS Package Tracking, Amazon.com order filling,
etc. Linked to logistics network – tells system what is
where and tracks progress of the resource towards designated unit
Resource Expended
ResourceExpended
ResourceRequired
ResourceAvailable?
Yes
ResourceDelivered
ResourceRequired
ResourceNot
Available!
No
No
XResourceAvailable?Resource
ResourceDelivered
ResourceRequired
ResourceNot
Available!
Yes
No
No
X
CompanyCommand Post
AndLogistics Node
BattalionLogistics
Node
BrigadeLogistics
Node
Process Repeats Until Resource Is Delivered
Next HigherLogistics
Node
Status Info
Request
Resupply
Information Network
Automated Inventory and Shipment Tracking
(Interfaces w/ Network)
Resource
DemandDesired Process
Agenda
IntroductionDemandFeasibilityApplicabilityRecommendations
FeasibilityOverview
Introduction• Determine the feasibility of improving
military logistics flow during wartime• Identify platform, echelon, and technical
aspects of potential systems• 2 Recommendations:
Entirely New System Upgrade Existing Technologies
FeasibilityNew System
Hardware Options• Desktop, Notebook/Tablet, PDA
Operating Systems• Linux, Windows, Apple, Other
FeasibilityNew System
Software - the deciding factor• Availability vs. customizability
Available– Microsoft, Apple, Other, etc…
Customizable– Linux, Other, etc…
FeasibilityNew System
Advantage: superior flexibility• Custom build software to suit needs• Hardware can be used for many other
tasks• Off the shelf components reduce downtime
Disadvantages:• Cost: Estimated $1 billion• Training time: days to weeks• Time to market
Resource Expended
ResourceExpended
ResourceRequired
Yes
ResourceDelivered
ResourceRequired
ResourceNot
Available!
No
No
X
Resource
ResourceDelivered
ResourceRequired
ResourceNot
Available!
Yes
No
No
X
CompanyCommand Post
AndLogistics Node
BattalionLogistics
Node
BrigadeLogistics
Node
Process Repeats Until Resource Is Delivered
Next HigherLogistics
Node
Status Info
Request
Resupply
Information Network:Army Tactical Internet
Automated Inventory and Shipment Tracking
(Interfaces w/ Network)
Resource PDA
FeasibilityProposed Process: New System
DesktopLaptop
FeasibilityExisting Army Systems
Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2)• Provides battle command and situational
awareness information• Digitally networks tactical units through
Army Tactical Internet• Currently implemented at Brigade and below units
FeasibilityExisting Army Systems
Combat Service Support Control System (CSSCS)• Rapidly collects, stores, analyzes, and
disseminates critical logistics, medical, and personnel information
• Digitally networks logisticians• Currently implemented at Brigade and above units
FeasibilityExisting Army Systems
Advantages• Widely accepted and understood • Low cost of augmentation• Encrypted• Field proven
Disadvantages• Two systems not currently linked• Limited flexibility
Recommendations• Augment FBCB2 & CSSCS to interface and share
information
Resource Expended
ResourceExpended
ResourceRequired
Yes
ResourceDelivered
ResourceRequired
ResourceNot
Available!
No
No
X
Resource
ResourceDelivered
ResourceRequired
ResourceNot
Available!
Yes
No
No
X
CompanyCommand Post
AndLogistics Node
BattalionLogistics
Node
BrigadeLogistics
Node
Process Repeats Until Resource Is Delivered
Next HigherLogistics
Node
Status Info
Request
Resupply
Information Network:Army Tactical Internet
CSSCSAutomated Inventory and
Shipment Tracking(Interfaces w/ Network)
Resource FBCB2
FeasibilityProposed Process: Augment Existing
FBCB2CSSCS
FeasibilitySummary
Agenda
IntroductionDemandFeasibilityApplicabilityRecommendations
ApplicabilityAnalysis Plan
Analysis PlanPart 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 systemConclusions
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
Value Chain Overview
Field TroopsField Troops
LogisticsPlanning System
LogisticsPlanning System
Logistics Nodes(Brigade/Battalion/Company
Command post)
Logistics Nodes(Brigade/Battalion/Company
Command post)
Military Logistics Communication System
Military Logistics Communication System
ResourceSupply System
ResourceSupply System
Physical Resource Allocation
Inventory Status Report and Supply Request
Supply Commands and Master Plans
Optimized Supply Instructions
Information Symmetry
OperationsPlanning System
OperationsPlanning System
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
Technology Strategy• Determine Fundamental Issues• Examine Results of Demand and Feasibility
Subgroups• Compare and Contrast Results with Applicability
Analysis• Determine Technology Recommendation
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
Competitive Priorities• Reliability• Convenience and user-friendliness• Customizability• As cheap as possible
Sources of Innovation• Demand and Feasibility work• Existing technologies and logistics networks
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
Value Chain Model• Fundamental Enablers
Mobile communication and computing technology Operations management technology Collaborative physical logistics system
• Uniqueness/Sustainability Military-customized PDA Easy and high performances planning and tracking
software Barcode and RFID systems Cross-disciplinary education and training programs
• Value Chain Transformation The biggest change is on the communication system Transition from an imperfect symmetry of information
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
Measures of Performance• Effectiveness is more critical than efficiency• Focused effectiveness
• Speed• Accuracy• Reliability• Security
• Quality measure• Product-based measure• Operations-based measure• Value-based measure
Analysis and Assessment of Remaining Challenges
• Network Existing architecture includes multiple infrastructures Logistics communication architecture has significant
limitations Security issues Potential for unintended consequences
- Security- Management- Over-reliance
• Process Methodology Extensive use of MS Windows and MS applications De facto standardized use of PDA’s
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
ApplicabilityPart I: Identification of the technological characteristics
Analysis and Assessment of Remaining Challenges (cont’d)
• Data Input/Output• Interoperability
• Multiple systems in existing architecture• Growing trend towards use of .xml format
• User Interface• Prolific use of MS Windows, PDA, and other similarly
formatted interface• Field conditions
ApplicabilityPart 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 friction
ApplicabilityPart 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.
ApplicabilityPart 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
ApplicabilityPart 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.
ApplicabilityPart II: Operations strategy for military logistics
management
Value Chain Model (Revisited)
Field TroopsField Troops
LogisticsPlanning System
LogisticsPlanning System
Logistics Nodes(Brigade/Battalion/Company
Command post)
Logistics Nodes(Brigade/Battalion/Company
Command post)
Military Logistics Communication System
Military Logistics Communication System
ResourceSupply System
ResourceSupply System
Physical Resource Allocation
Inventory Status Report and Supply Request
Supply Commands and Master Plans
Optimized Supply Instructions
Information Symmetry
OperationsPlanning System
OperationsPlanning System
Agenda
IntroductionDemandFeasibilityApplicabilityRecommendations
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
Questions?