LTG Stevenson, Deputy Chief of Staff, G4, Department of the Army stated in the Sep/Oct 09 issue of Army Sustainment:
“We’re fortunate that today’s young sustainers are more tech savvy than their predecessors, because what is difficult to do now will become effortless when we tap into better technologies. We are working toward the day when we have total visibility of our assets; when everyone from the commander in the field to an analyst at the Pentagon has the same ability to track equipment and supplies worldwide, whether in transit or stationary; when computers will diagnose and tell us what maintenance actions to take before equipment fails; and when GPS-guided cargo is airdropped in the most remote locations with no damage.”
The United States Army faces new challenges on a daily basis with transformation. Some of those challenges range from data collection, real time information, distribution, being under-resourced and over tasked. Even though the American people are unsure of the future we will move forward in meeting LTG Stevenson’s vision to assure the United States citizens we stand ready to protect and defend the American way and their freedom, which our forefathers fought hard to establish. The 19th ESC SPO, Materiel Readiness Branch CW3 Alsobrook, and fellow sustainers CW4 Ken Boyce and CW3 Neuman Mason, have developed an information exchange system that revolutionized the ability to effectively gather, analyze, and manage data that improves readiness. The Logistics Management Exchange (LMX) is an Access database application designed to allow maintenance and supply managers at all levels to spend less time identifying problems and more time fixing them.
LMX is not meant to replace the current Standard Army Management Information System (STAMIS). However, it is a means of processing large quantities of data while streamlining communication between all of the players in the Distribution Management Center (DMC) and unit readiness managers. Prior to the implementation of LMX, each section in the DMC was dependent upon the Materiel Readiness Branch to manually research work orders and provide the request order number (RON) to the Supply Branch who had to manually crosswalk the RON to the document order number (DON) using SARSS before it could track the supply status. If the supply status was “shipped”, then Mobility Branch would have to access the Radio Frequency – In-Transit Visibility (RF-ITV) website to again search for the DON and determine its current location in the supply pipeline. When using LMX, the RON/DON conversion is done automatically and the latest status of the DON at wholesale is immediately available. If the part has shipped, LMX automatically shows the last location of the part in the distribution pipeline and reduces the entire process time from around 10 minutes per document to approximately 30 seconds. One of the more important features that the war fighter is looking for is an Exchange Pricing Management tool which enables managers to monitor in near real-time any outstanding parts needing to be turned in before the Days Delayed Period (DDP) elapses. The Exchange Pricing management reports produced by LMX give managers greater visibility over their Exchange Pricing program.
LMX Capabilities
LMX streamlines the maintenance management process by importing critical data from multiple source files and displaying the data in a user friendly and defined print out. With its unique and resourceful features, the system is capable of performing the following:
How is LMX used?
LMX operates by sharing its data across a computer network allowing multiple users to connect and manage data simultaneously. A “frontend” file, used to access the system, is placed on the user’s desktop and then linked to the “backend” data source (either using a database server such as Microsoft SQL Server or an Access database file located on a network shared drive). LMX has become the center of the 19th ESC, SPO Materiel Readiness Branch operations.
To effectively capitalize on the functions of LMX, the section has been organized into fleet managers and each individual is assigned their own commodity area to manage. Each NIIN that is managed is assigned to a category such as Armament, Automotive (Light), Automotive (Heavy), Automotive (Track), etc. in LMX. This allows our managers to choose their assigned category and instantly filter the 026 maintenance report to show only the equipment they are responsible for.
This same method can be used by the Supply Branch to filter for their assigned Equipment Identification Codes (EIC). The system is a dramatic improvement from past practices of requiring managers to review and analyze hundreds of pages on the 026 print looking for specific NIINs or EICs. To expedite the review and analysis of Supply Exception Data Status (SEDS) and Maintenance Exception Data Status (MEDS), LMX, using a feature called “Bulk Status Requests” automates the process by allowing the manager to mark a record by checking a box labeled “Bulk Status Request” and add a due-out remark to the customer stating what information is required from them about the job.
When the manager has completed his/her research for the day; LMX automatically generates a preformatted message that is already addressed to the appropriate unit level managers. There is an Excel file attached to the e-mail that contains all of the jobs that the customer must provide feedback on. This allows the customer to have a consolidated list of issues making it easier for them to track and manage readiness. Additionally, unit managers can access LMX in order to manage their own equipment. The customer can input their own notes regarding equipment status which can be seen by all LMX users. This process improves management efficiency and provides instant visibility of the readiness manager’s progress on resolving issues or expediting solutions.
LMX program successes
A key area where LMX has improved management efficiency is reporting information and products. Currently the 19th ESC, SPO, Materiel Readiness Branch provides a weekly fleet readiness update to the 19th ESC Commanding General. Prior to LMX, managers spent numerous hours manually extracting key data points from reports resulting in a PowerPoint slide deck with the appropriate information for presentation. LMX allows managers to export an Excel product which contains all of the current equipment quantities, readiness percentages and Non-Mission Capable (NMC) numbers. The resulting Excel file automatically feeds the data into a preformatted PowerPoint presentation which is automatically updated when it’s opened.
The next step is to construct the required briefing notes. To do this, a feature called the “COP Script Review” is utilized. COP Review, or Common Operating Picture Review, is a tool that extracts all current 026 jobs, which meets the criteria for briefing to the Commanding General (usually fleets are currently below a 90% Operational Readiness Rate). The manager goes through the returned records, reviews the notes made throughout the week, and then formulates briefing remarks that will appear on the COP Script itself. The COP Script is complete with all critical and pertinent information required to provide the Commanding General with visibility of the theater’s readiness posture and thereby allowing him to make better informed decisions. LMX has proven itself to be an indispensible tool for the maintenance and materiel managers from the Battalion S4 all the way to the Theater Sustainment Command DMC. By combining the efforts of various echelons of logistics management, it has allowed users to combine resources and information gathering in order to help improve customer service and overall unit readiness.
For the same reason Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Alsobrook embarked on this project three years ago, it was his, and 19th ESC’s, belief that maintenance and logistics managers throughout the Army would greatly benefit from an application like LMX. As the Army continues to move forward toward LTG Stevenson’s vision, applications like LMX will be the linchpin to keep the wheel rolling.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Alsobrook is the Electronic Missile Maintenance Officer for the for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. He was the chief of materiel readiness reporting for the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Camp Henry, Korea when he wrote this article. He holds a Bachelors degree in Information Technology Management from American Military University and is working toward a Master’s of Science in Information Technology from AMU. Additional information on the use of LMX can be found in the LMX user’s Manual