Describing the Motivation for Defense and Security Logistics

In this lesson, you will learn about the following:

The motivation for Defense and Security Logistics
How Defense and Security employs Organizational Flexibility to support deployment and exercise scenarios

The image shows a diagram depicting the relationships between different organizational levels and their position on a spectrum from Cross-Industry to Industry-Specific Military/DFPS. The levels are arranged vertically, with the most cross-industry elements at the top and the most industry-specific military/DFPS elements at the bottom.

Depending on the functional and organizational scope of your Defense Project, the processes covered can behave like core SAP ERP or be industry-specific. In the "Factory to Foxhole" paradigm, the closer you are to the latter, the more military-specific your processes become. Central storage or maintenance depot can behave like a similar civilian facility, but tactical units at home or in operation feature military-specific processes. Examples of these are rapid operational deployment and logistics setup, material planning based on Table of Organization and Equipping, C2 integration and Flight Operations Support.

The image shows a diagram comparing two supply chain modeling approaches. The top half discusses how the flexible supply chain can evolve over time to support supply dependencies and physical movement of forces, in contrast to the inflexibility of current supply chain modeling to accommodate core scenarios like force deployment. The bottom half highlights several key differences between civilian and military supply chain planning, including the capability-based and scenario-specific nature of DFPS Materiel Planning, how DFPS can accelerate operations and exercises, and the need for military-specific processes to enable more straightforward implementation and reduce development effort.

The particular strengths of this component are as follows:

End-to-end mapping of the organizational structures for the domestic base and operations and exercises
Complete process chains from planning through implementation and execution to the completion of operations and exercises
Provision of information and evaluation options
Integration of personnel and material information and resource management
Organizational flexibility during day-to-day operation: Changes to organizational and logistics structures and resource requirements are taken into account and implemented immediately in downstream processes
Integration in the standard processes of the SAP system (Accounting, Human Resources, Logistics, and so on)
Component-specific workflows and object status and authorization management
Military-specific processes such as loan of equipment to persons and flight operations support

Defense and Public Security (D&S) Logistics Use Cases

The image shows the front page of the Our Daily Times newspaper, with a headline about Zetland Defence setting up a forward aide supply post in South Sudan. The main image shows a military helicopter in flight against a background of trees and foliage.

Your morning newspaper can inform you of an imminent military mission. The consequences of such a headline include formation, grouping, training, supplying, deploying, and sustaining of a temporary force under significant time pressure. In this context, it is important that your IT system becomes an enabler, not a bottleneck, of such a mission.

A D&S Logistics Use Case (2):

Mission

The Forward Aide Supply Post (FASP) supplies humanitarian aide and relief to civilians affected by an ongoing escalation in South Sudan.

Equipment

2 Heavy Lift Helicopters, 4 Transport Helicopters, Trucks, APCs, Rifles, Helmets, and so on

Manning

15 Administration officers, 12 helicopter pilots, 30 Technicians, 35 drivers, 60 Soldiers, 10 Local Civilians
1st Helicopter Regiment and 311th Heavy Infantry Brigade are responsible to staff the Activity

Maintenance

NATO East Africa Maintenance Facility will provide maintenance for Ground Equipment.
For the helicopters, FASP will include line maintenance capabilities, all heavier maintenance will be performed in Zetland.

A D&S Logistics Use Case (3):

Costs

FASP operating costs must be collected and separable from the daily activities of 1st Helicopter Regiment and 311th Heavy Infantry Brigade.

Logistics Support

Weapon Systems and Weapons, as well as their spares will be supplied from NATO Sudan Central Storage.
Unfulfilled requests are to be forwarded to Zetland Central Army Depot.

Level of Service

Humanitarian relief for the civilian population is not welcomed by the fighting parties. Road robbery and mortar attacks make complete losses of shipments a probable event. Recovery from such events in terms of resupply is to be aimed at 96 hours.

Move to Area of Operation

Forward Group including Camp Security to arrive by contracted transport at T+2d.
Helicopters and their personnel will make an own move by T+6d.
Logistics Supply Personnel to join on T+10d, along with initial stocking of aid.

A Major Challenge: Transform your IT into an operational enabler, not a bottleneck:

System Setup Activities:
- Reflect FASP organizational structure
- Create FASP Logistics Structure (MRP Areas/ Storage Locations)
- Define Personnel, but also Material Authorizations
- How FASP will be resupplied?
- How FASP will supply and manage its aide?
- Maintained Objects (trucks/ equipment…) and responsibility to carry out maintenance
- Planning of the physical move into the operation area
And… How to perform all that in time even for rapid deployments?

The image shows a pyramid-shaped diagram representing the different levels of a data management system. At the top is Configuration, which is described as changed rarely, IT/Consulting Personnel Only, Release-Controlled, and available by transporting. Below that is Master Data, which is described as changed timely, top users, governance procedures, and immediate availability. At the bottom is Transactions, which is described as changed continuously, all users, and mass volumes.

An enterprise information system usually manages 3 tiers of formatted data: Configuration, Master Data, and Transactional Data. While Configuration changes require specialized personnel and meticulous testing, Master Data is available to be changed directly in the productive environment.

The image shows a pyramid-shaped diagram representing different levels of data management. At the top is Configuration, which is described as only rarely necessary in operational scenarios, enabling enhanced agility. Below that is Master Data, which covers areas like controlling, company codes, FM area, plants, MRP areas, storage locations, warehouses, organizational units, cost centers, and funds centers. At the bottom is Transactions, which covers material movements, maintenance orders, requisitions, invoices, and other related data.

By treating some of the Logistics Organizational Levels, such as Storage Locations, as Master Data, the Defense and Security system enhances agility and reduces dependency on IT personnel and release strategy when performing typical organizational changes. This is a major enabler of agility and organizational flexibility to support rapid reorganizations and operational scenarios.