New system tracks parts data Published Oct. 25, 2004 By Lisa Mathews Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Maintenance Directorate ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- Technicians in the avionics and instruments division now have a faster way to get the parts they need. The Lean Depot Management System tracks data on parts, and technicians, engineers and managers said they are noticing several benefits.The system can determine if a part is available and if so, where it is located. If the part is not on hand, the system will order the part for the technician. That person can then return to work knowing the part will be delivered when it arrives. The technician no longer has to order and search for parts, officials said.A commercial program had been used but it did not accomplish all they wanted, said Ronnie Rogers, who helped design the new system."We started to review exactly why it was not complete, and we found out it did not have a good process in place for making the technician want to put the data into it," Mr. Rogers said."(The old program) grew as it went along," Jeff McGowan said. "The technicians added data on the parts they used. That led to typographical mistakes and things like that. (The new system) draws everything out of its data base."Mr. McGowan explained that, in the past, a technician would have to check back with the parts clerk periodically to find out if the ordered part had arrived. That sometimes led to work being placed aside and not accomplished if the technician got busy with other jobs.The system also tracks parts usage, which helps workers in each section of the division determine exactly what parts they need in stock and which parts in stock are not being used. Mr. McGowan said by doing this, parts that were taking up room have been moved to areas where they are needed, and parts that are typically hard to keep on hand are being stocked more accurately for each section's use.Mr. Rogers said the engineers have better control over what parts are being used for repairs because of the system. With the new system, only the part that is supposed to be used will be ordered. Administrators within the division troubleshoot any problems that arise, and the technicians do not have to stop work to find a solution. When a problem occurs, a notice is sent via e-mail to the administrators, and they take care of the situation, officials said.The entire system is geared to having the correct parts available when needed and keeping repair work on schedule. The system even prints the tickets required to close a job so that now there is a better way of tracking completion of jobs within the division.