Designing a support system for aerospace maintenance supply chains

Abstract

Purpose

To develop a systems strategy for supply chain management in aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

Design/methodology/approach

A standard systems development methodology has been followed to produce a process model (i.e. the AMSCR model); an information model (i.e. business rules) and a computerised information management capability (i.e. automated optimisation).

Findings

The proof of concept for this web‐based MRO supply chain system has been established through collaboration with a sample of the different types of supply chain members. The proven benefits comprise new potential to minimise the stock holding costs of the whole supply chain whilst also minimising non‐flying time of the aircraft that the supply chain supports.

Research limitations/implications

The scale of change needed to successfully model and automate the supply chain is vast. This research is a limited‐scale experiment intended to show the power of process analysis and automation, coupled with strategic use of management science techniques, to derive tangible business benefit.

Practical implications

This type of system is now vital in an industry that has continuously decreasing profit margins; which in turn means pressure to reduce servicing times and increase the mean time between them.

Originality/value

Original work has been conducted at several levels: process, information and automation. The proof‐of‐concept system has been applied to an aircraft MRO supply chain. This is an area of research that has been neglected, and as a result is not well served by current systems solutions.

Citation

MacDonnell, M. and Clegg, B. (2007), "Designing a support system for aerospace maintenance supply chains", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 139-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410380710722863