Military Logistics Management for the Next Conflict Chris Ballard, Wyly Gilfoil, Kathy Lau, Jay Miseli, Scott Ostrowski, Sebastien Prangere, Sug Je Sohn,

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


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


Software - the deciding factor• Availability vs. customizability

Available– Microsoft, Apple, Other, etc…

Customizable– Linux, Other, etc…


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



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


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


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



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


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


Logistics Nodes(Brigade/Battalion/Company

Command post)


Command post)

Military Logistics Communication System


ResourceSupply System


Physical Resource Allocation

Inventory Status Report and Supply Request

Supply Commands and Master Plans

Optimized Supply Instructions

Information Symmetry

OperationsPlanning System



Technology Strategy• Determine Fundamental Issues• Examine Results of Demand and Feasibility

Subgroups• Compare and Contrast Results with Applicability

Analysis• Determine Technology Recommendation


Competitive Priorities• Reliability• Convenience and user-friendliness• Customizability• As cheap as possible

Sources of Innovation• Demand and Feasibility work• Existing technologies and logistics networks


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


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



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


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.


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


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.


management

Value Chain Model (Revisited)

Field TroopsField Troops




Command post)


Command post)





Physical Resource Allocation

Inventory Status Report and Supply Request

Supply Commands and Master Plans

Optimized Supply Instructions

Information Symmetry



Agenda


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?

Documents

Military Logistics Management for the Next Conflict Chris Ballard, Wyly Gilfoil, Kathy Lau, Jay Miseli, Scott Ostrowski, Sebastien Prangere, Sug Je Sohn,