Workflow management combined with diagnostic and repair expert system tools for maintenance operations

Effective management of maintenance operations may be viewed at two levels. At the 'macro' level, we are concerned with cost-effective allocation and utilization of our resources in order to respond adequately to the demand coming in. At the 'micro' level, the question is how to ensure that each one of our resources operates consistently at the top performance level. This paper presents an integrated approach for both the 'macro' and the 'micro' level. The implementation of this approach is supported by three expert system software products: W-6 for effective allocation and scheduling of maintenance resources. As its name suggests, W-6 assists in deciding: WHO (technician) does WHAT (task), ON What (equipment unit), WITH What (auxiliary tools), WHERE (workstation or customer location) and WHEN. AITEST for diagnostic support and efficient test sequencing, for data management at the equipment unit level, and for integration with test instrumentation. OnDoc - an on-line documentation tool providing easy and immediate access to just about any bit of maintenance information. The 'total' integration aspect is shown via the interface of W-6 to the MRP system and to the floor Data Base system. AITEST is interfaced to the ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) systems and sends repair reports to the floor Data Base. A case study of an operational system based on this approach is presented. The environment is a major depot facility for repairing and restoring numerous types of military communication equipment.