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Mobile Computing reduces Sailors' Workloads

NAVSEA Newsroom

Release Date: 6/10/2004

By Jane L. Zimmerman, Naval Sea Systems Command Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) Program Manager

WASHINGTON -- NAVSEA 04L has the lead for implementing Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technology for Maritime Navy and associated shore activities. The integration of this new technology requires the assessment and re-engineering of business processes both ashore and afloat.

The challenge is to better equip our war fighters, support Fleet standardization and modernization and provide asset visibility. These goals will be achieved by using new and in-service systems together with the technology insertion that will enable the Navy to interoperate with major Information Systems.

The Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) enabled electronic Portable Maintenance Assistant (e-PMA) is a joint NAVSEA 04L (Logistics) and 04RM (Maintenance) initiative sponsored by the Navy Serial Number Tracking Office. The e-PMA will demonstrate the use of mobile computing in a shipboard environment to enhance existing maintenance and logistics processes to reduce Sailors' workloads and to improve Fleet material condition. E-PMA utilizes the latest AIDC technology such as contact memory buttons (CMB), data matrix bar codes and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in conjunction with Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) and secure wireless technology to bridge the "Longest Yard" (i.e., from shipboard LAN to the point of work on US Navy ships).

Today, competitive enterprises are replacing clipboards and paper forms with handheld devices and mobile software to provide greater and timely access to information and the ability to quickly and accurately record, track and transmit maintenance and configuration data. E-PMA is a tool that will increase Sailor productivity, reduce data capture/reporting errors and provide efficiency in a paperless environment.

E- PMA leverages existing Navy process infrastructure and systems to provide an integrated mobile solution at the deck plate level. In addition, e-PMA will facilitate problem reporting in a timely manner and will provide more timely resolution to problems encountered during the preventative and corrective maintenance actions, and provide the basis for future technology insertions.

It was recognized during early evaluation of the e-PMA in a shipboard environment that day-to-day PMS process could be leveraged using Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) and e-PMA to provide near continuous equipment configuration validation to the configuration data managers without additional workload on the Sailors.

Before a PMS action can be performed, the Sailor needs to verify that he/she has the right system or piece of equipment. The original application was expanded to capture a completed validation. The automated process and software application bear the workload of these additional steps, not the Sailor. This joint effort will use the process flow already in place to automatically insert a validation date, pass the file to the CDM, and allow updates from CDMD-OA to flow via the normal Ashore System Interface (ASI) process. Any updates concerning these configuration worthy items can be passed onto the Contact Memory Button automatically during the next maintenance action automatically.

NAVSEA has other efforts underway using the validation concept as the baseline focus.

NAVSEA Philadelphia joined the team with its MACHALT kitting effort and configuration data collection. The configuration data can be tracked using Contact Memory Buttons on the equipment to identify the kits; the configuration data can be tracked at the time of packing in the warehouse, during MACHALT installation, and ultimately the next time a Validation or Maintenance action is performed. Leveraging off the validation focus, MACHALT kitting provides another area to track and capture configuration data through the remaining life cycle of the item. This effort is beginning final testing.

NAVSEA is developing an application that will be used as a tool for shipboard validations and audits. This tool will provide the capability to perform these tasks utilizing a standard process for both ship and shore. This tool will electronically handle data flow and provide the ability to automatically perform updates without manual user input.

In May 2004, an effort for Equipment Tracking at the Training Activities began which will provide a more efficient means of configuration management and asset tracking.

With all these efforts, extensive testing and care is being taken to develop applications using an open architecture on multi-vendor readers. In addition, the readers will have the ability to read multiple devices (e.g. bar codes, contact memory buttons and radio frequency identification tags).