What is ECSS?
Why did the Air Force launch ECSS?
What is the ECSS Vision?
What is the ECSS Mission?
What is the strategy for ECSS?
What is the scope of ECSS?
What are the projected benefits of ECSS?
What are the key issues facing ECSS?
What is the timeline for ECSS?
Who works on ECSS?
What are the roots of ECSS, eLog21 and LogEA?
What are the goals of eLog21?
Who will benefit from eLog21?
How will eLog21 implement ERP?
How will eLog21 affect the Airmen?
What is ERP?
What are the benefits of ERP?
Why transform Air Force Logistics?
What is blueprinting?
What are pathfinders?
What is the SCOR Model?

ECSS will enable the transformation of Air Force Logistics Operations by guiding the redesign of business processes supported by selected, configured and deployed information technology (IT) products. The ECSS is a multi-year program targeted to replace more than 400 legacy systems. Benefits include the establishment of a common set of logistics business processes with improved data quality, and information timeliness and availability. Other benefits include the ability to generate more responsive demand and supply planning, and the capability to recognize and assess logistical constraints. Each area of improvement will translate into better support for the Warfighter.

An Air Force Logistics Enterprise supporting rapid, agile deployment, employment, sustainment and reconstitution of the total force at acceptable risk, and in a cost-effective manner across the full spectrum of operations.

Improving Warfighter capabilities by transforming the full-range of Air Force Logistics business processes and related IT support.

Deliver a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) IT capability integrated with redesigned business processes, and possessing the following attributes:

• Integrated Technology
• Consistent Data Model
• Web-based Technology
• Scaleable (variable users and locations)
• Proven Technology

Core functionality is provided by the Oracle Suite based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, augmented by a limited number of bolt-on applications.

ECSS will support a broad range of functionality, including:

• Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS)
• Material Management, Contracting and Logistics Finance
• Configuration and Bill of Material (BOM)
• Repair and Maintenance
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Order Management (OM)
• Distribution and Transportation
• Decision Support
• Facilities Management
• Quality Control
• Document Management
• Budgeting

Benefits include the establishment of a common set of logistics business processes, improved data quality, and information timeliness and availability. Other benefits include the ability to generate more responsive demand and supply planning, and the capability to recognize and assess logistical constraints. Each area of improvement will translate into better support for our Warfighters.

The benefits of implementing ECSS include:

• Enabling greater combat support capability to Joint and Air Force commanders and airmen
• Merging base level and wholesale logistics systems
• Improving synchronization of operations/logistics planning and execution
• Improving Command and Control (C2)
• Providing near real-time worldwide visibility of assets
• Enabling improved availability of mission critical weapon systems
• Supporting expeditionary and in garrison operations with seamless peace to wartime operations
• Delivering millions in savings over the FYDP (Future Years Defense Program)

The key concerns for the ECSS program include:

• Ensuring the Air Force’s long-term commitment to change
• Accessing the right SMEs at the right time
• Executing change management and training
• Deploying a standard set of business processes and policies across the logistics enterprise to improve support to the Warfighter
• Assessing the impact of redefined job roles on the workforce
  

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ECSS formally came into existence in June 2005, and has completed Product and Systems Integrator (SI) selection. Over the next seven years (Fiscal Year 07-13), several activities are scheduled to occur. Some of the more notable are blueprinting, configuring the applications, testing, deploying the applications, and retiring more than 400 legacy systems.

The Program Management Office (PMO), the Logistics Transformation Office (LTO), and Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) work together to produce the new capabilities of the Oracle based ECSS. The ECSS PMO is responsible for the acquisition management of the program, with AF/A4 as its primary customer.

The LTO is responsible for change management and determining functional logistics requirements for the Air Force. Contributions to ECSS are also being made by people throughout the Air Force such as: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from Air Force Major Commands (MAJCOM), and organizations associated with providing logistics analysis and IT support. CSC, as the Systems Integrator (SI), will design, configure, test and deploy the overall enterprise solution, and also be responsible for data planning, migration and integrity.

eLog21 is an Air Force-wide transformation campaign representing a new level of commitment to boldly change current logistics processes to better support the Warfighter. eLog21 integrates three grassroots Air Force transformational efforts:

1. the SPARES campaign
2. the Chief Logistics Review, and
3. the Depot Maintenance Reengineering Transformation

The eLog21 campaign encompasses 20+ initiatives targeted at business process redesign, performance metrics, training, systems, supply chain management, change management, maintenance, and more, with the primary objective of improving logistics operations.

Technology is not the focus of the campaign but the enabler. New technologies and capabilities will enable the changes in processes and operations to take place. The eLog21 campaign is more than a technology implementation—it is fundamental business process redesign. A transformation this large will have a major impact across the entire logistics enterprise.

The overall goal of eLog21 is to increase weapon system availability by 20% and decrease Operations & Sustainment costs by 10%. This will be achieved by changing our business processes and operations to reduce unnecessary inventory and ensure that the right asset is available in the logistics chain. This campaign is targeted at the success of the ultimate customer—the Warfighter.

eLog21 capabilities implemented through ECSS will provide Expeditionary Logistics to the Warfighter. These capabilities will focus on improved delivery of logistics functions and will be delivered across the Air Force Logistics Community to include Base Level, Depot Level, Continental United States (CONUS) and deployed personnel.

Under eLog21, the Air Force is implementing an ERP system called ECSS. ECSS is the technology enabler for the eLog21 campaign. ECSS using the Oracle Suite will replace 400+ legacy information technology systems. This Suite of applications will consist of many modules with software/hardware and embedded/updateable best business practices, as well as capabilities in product support and engineering; supply chain management; Expeditionary Logistics C2; and maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

The eLog21 campaign will impact Air Force Logistics personnel as a whole, no matter your rank or job responsibility. With this transformation, the Air Force Logistics workforce will have the opportunity to learn new roles required to support the Air Force’s future enterprise approach to logistics. With eLog21, accountability and reward of goal achievement are the focus. eLog21 is designed to enhance the logistics work environment by improving logistics processes, consolidating systems and enabling easier access to logistics data. Training and transitioning the workforce will be the focus over the next several years to ensure that the logistics workforce is prepared for this transformation. Business processes and systems will be changing, thus the workforce must be equipped to be successful in the new logistics environment. Overall, eLog21 will impact everyone in a different way and ensuring that each individual is properly prepared for this transformation is a priority.

ERP is a commercial technology solution that brings manufacturing, financials, distributions and other business functions together. It enables the seamless flow of information across an organization using a comprehensive set of interconnected modules. The end result is the integration and reduction of information systems. An all-inclusive technology such as an ERP system also standardizes business processes and tools across the entire enterprise, regardless of program or site, because they are supported using a relational database.

Benefits expected from ERP implementation:

• Reduced inventory levels
• Reduced maintenance cycles
• Reduced clerical effort for financials
• Improved ability to make timely and informed decisions
• Improved allocation of resources based on demand
• Improved financial management
• Improved product and data quality
  

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Current Air Force business processes and operations are not broken. Since fiscal year 1999:

• Maintenance wait time is down from 14 days to 9 days
• Stockage effectiveness is up from 70% to 76%
• Logistics Response Time has remained steady at 38 days

However, these improvements are not the result of process change or modernization. Instead, it took a war and a big infusion of capital from Congress to create these improvements. The cost of these improvements is not sustainable.

Today Air Force Logistics struggles under outdated World War II era processes and aging IT systems that create large-scale inefficiencies. Air Force Logistics processes and systems cost over $27.5 billion in 2003. These costs are projected to continue to increase unless the current processes and systems are changed to reflect the needs of the expeditionary Warfighter. To keep up with the needs of the Warfighter and to be able to afford 21st century weapon systems, Air Force Logistics business processes and systems must be modernized.

Blueprinting is an ERP phase for the creation of an overall business process description that defines how functions and capabilities, provided by COTS products, will be used to support business needs. It uses a combined team of ECSS PMO, LTO, Oracle and CSC personnel to support ECSS blueprinting.

A pathfinder is an effort to reduce program risk by providing a better understanding of how commercial processes can be applied in an Air Force environment using COTS tools. SMEs are currently working on the ECSS pathfinder and are concentrating on three major work streams:

1. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS)
2. Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
3. Product Data Management/ Product Lifecycle Management (PDM / PLM)

The Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model is a business process reference model that describes the business activities associated with all phases of satisfying a customer’s demand. It is used by organizations world-wide to improve collaboration and supply chain performance. SCOR helps organizations to better understand and measure the flow of information and physical goods through their supply chain structure.

The SCOR model uses a unique format that links process elements, metrics, best practices and features associated with the execution of a supply chain. It is being used during ECSS Blueprinting of the logistics requirements.