Original Date: 08/20/2001
Revision Date: 12/14/2006

Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Surface Systems has realized significant savings by implementing an Automated Data Storage and Retrieval System. As a result, configuration management cost and engineering data needs have been streamlined and brought to the next generation of highly efficient data management.

In the past, every engineering drawing released under configuration control had five sets of aperture card films created for each sheet of every drawing. These aperture card films were maintained in the print room and delivered to the customer, suppliers, and drawing archive facility. Print requests were handled through the Engineering Document Control Organization. This approach required multiple personnel to perform these duties, and created massive amounts of paper, aperture card films, and facility requirements. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Surface Systems (NE&SS-SS) soon recognized a need for rapid access by any team member to engineering drawings, Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), parts lists, and problem sheets which are recognized/approved by all involved. The result was an Automated Data Storage and Retrieval System that operates as a document and data delivery system, and provides on-line rapid access to engineering drawings, ECNs, parts lists, and problem sheets via a web browser.

The Automated Data Storage and Retrieval System affords a powerful company-wide document distribution capability across local and wide area Intranet networks. The system operates as a complete Intranet server solution that provides integrated document service capabilities (e.g., document capture and import; automated document indexing; revision control; on-line viewing with standard web browser; complete drawing packages; print services for printing anywhere on the network; e-mail interface for workgroup collaboration). Figure 2-1 shows an outline of the overall process.

In creating this process, Lockheed Martin NE&SS-SS learned many lessons in achieving a smooth transition. Among these were to initially establish clearly defined roles and responsibilities of the team composition, and to set up the integrated test environment midway through transition to validate proper operation. The company now makes support documentation mandatory prior to the process transition for such documents as Project Specification; Concept of Operations; System Requirements; System Design; Functional Specification; and System Administration Requirements.

Since implementing the Automated Data Storage and Retrieval System, Lockheed Martin NE&SS-SS realized many benefits. The company improved Product Data Management effectiveness through real-time access to engineering documents; and increased engineering process efficiencies through the use of an electronic document generation, re- work, and delivery process. Global accessibility to engineering documentation information now allows access to all involved parties; and easy access to data maximizes engineering productivity. The company also reduced its configuration management costs by 40%, just in the areas of record retention, printing, and delivery.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.