Integrated logistics support (ILS) is a technology in the system engineering to lower a product life cycle cost and decrease demand for logistics by the maintenance system optimization to ease the product support. Although originally developed for military purposes, it is also widely used in commercial customer service organisations.
ILS defined In general, ILS plans and directs the identification and development of logistics support and system requirements for military systems, with the goal of creating systems that last longer and require less support, thereby reducing costs and increasing return on investments. ILS therefore addresses these aspects of supportability not only during acquisition, but also throughout the operational life cycle of the system. The impact of ILS is often measured in terms of metrics such as reliability, availability, maintainability and testability (RAMT), and sometimes system safety (RAMS). ILS is the integrated planning and action of a number of disciplines in concert with one another to assure system availability. The planning of each element of ILS is ideally developed in coordination with the system engineering effort and with each other. Tradeoffs may be required between elements in order to acquire a system that is: affordable (lowest life cycle cost), operable, supportable, sustainable, transportable, and environmentally sound. In some cases, a deliberate process of logistics support analysis will be used to identify tasks within each logistics support element. The most widely accepted list of ILS activities include:
Reliability engineering, maintainability engineering and maintenance (preventive, predictive and corrective) planning Supply (spare part) support acquire resources Support and test equipment/equipment support Manpower and personnel Training and training support Technical data/publications Computer resources support Facilities Packaging, handling, storage and transportation Design interface Decisions are documented in a life cycle sustainment plan (LCSP), a supportability strategy, or (most commonly) an integrated logistics support plan (ILSP). ILS planning activities coincide with development of the system acquisition strategy, and the program will be tailored accordingly. A properly executed ILS strategy will ensure that the requirements for each of the elements of ILS are properly planned, resourced, and implemented. These actions will enable the system to achieve the operational readiness levels required by the warfighter at the time of fielding and throughout the life cycle. ILS can be also used for civilian projects, as highlighted by the ASD/AIA ILS guide. It is considered common practice within some industries - primarily defence - for ILS practitioners to take a leave of absence to undertake an ILS sabbatical; furthering their knowledge of the logistics engineering disciplines. ILS Sabbaticals are normally taken in developing nations - allowing the practitioner an insight into sustainment practices in an environment of limited materiel resources.
Adoption ILS is a technique introduced by the US Army to ensure that the supportability of an equipment item is considered during its design and development. The technique was adopted by the UK MoD in 1993 and made compulsory for the procurement of the majority of MOD equipment.
Influence on design. Integrated logistic support will provide important means to identify (as early as possible) reliability issues / problems and can initiate system or part design improvements based on reliability, maintainability, testability or system availability analysis Design of the support solution for minimum cost. Ensuring that the support solution considers and integrates the elements considered by ILS. This is discussed fully below. Initial support package. These tasks include calculation of requirements for spare parts, special tools, and documentation. Quantities required for a specified initial period are calculated, procured, and delivered to support delivery, installation in some of the cases, and operation of the equipment. The ILS management process facilitates specification, design, development, acquisition, test, fielding, and support of systems.
Maintenance planning
Maintenance planning begins early in the acquisition process with development of the maintenance concept. It is conducted to evolve and establish requirements and tasks to be accomplished for achieving, restoring, and maintaining the operational capability for the life of the system. Maintenance planning also involves Level Of Repair Analysis (LORA) as a function of the system acquisition process. Maintenance planning will:
Define the actions and support necessary to ensure that the system attains the specified system readiness objectives with minimum life cycle cost (LCC). Set up specific criteria for repair, including built-in test equipment (BITE) requirements, testability, reliability, and maintainability; support equipment requirements; automatic test equipment; and manpower skills and facility requirements. State specific maintenance tasks, to be performed on the system. Define actions and support required for fielding and marketing the system. Address warranty considerations. The maintenance concept must ensure prudent use of manpower and resources. When formulating the maintenance concept, analysis of the proposed work environment on the health and safety of maintenance personnel must be considered. Conduct a LORA to optimize the support system, in terms of LCC, readiness objectives, design for discard, maintenance task distribution, support equipment and ATE, and manpower and personnel requirements. Minimize the use of hazardous materials and the generation of waste.
Supply support
Supply support encompasses all management actions, procedures, and techniques used to determine requirements to:
Acquire support items and spare parts. Catalog the items. Receive the items. Store and warehouse the items. Transfer the items to where they are needed. Issue the items. Dispose of secondary items. Provide for initial support of the system. Acquire, distribute, and replenish inventory
Support and test equipment
Support and test equipment includes all equipment, mobile and fixed, that is required to perform the support functions, except that equipment which is an integral part of the system. Support equipment categories include:
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