Identifying and Modeling Platforms to Describe Business Capabilities

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain the definition and concept of Platform Code.
Explain some key business needs for using the Platform Code functionalities.
Explain the differences to other existing Defense and Security object hierarchies.

Platform Code

The image shows a visual representation of three different views of a hierarchy: technology, authorization, and operational. The hierarchy consists of various elements like platform, FMPO, capability, material, and equipment. The image also includes a separate diagram with a triangular shape with smaller triangles inside it.

The Platform Code provides another Technological view in addition to the existing views. These views are ways of organizing technical objects. The Authorization View is used to structure the Flexible Material Planning Objects and the Operational View is used to structure the capabilities. The newest view in the Defense and Security system is the Platform code, which structures technologies. While the same FMPO can be fulfilled by different technologies (for example, AK-47 vs M-4 vs G-36), one technology in different configurations can fulfill different operational needs (for example, a medevac jeep vs. a reconnaissance one). Structuring technologies can help the military arrange its engineering organization or help with economic analyzes in order to support refurbish or buy decisions.

The image shows a laptop screen displaying various financial data visualizations, including bar charts, line graphs, and other data analysis tools. The dashboard appears to provide detailed operational income information over time.

Definition

The term "platform" is a collective term for material, equipment, hardware, and software which in (material) combination or individually represent an independently usable function.

By definition, a platform refers to a system and all of its supporting material components that, in a group (or individually, as appropriate), represent an independently usable capability.

A platform may be a fleet of all weapon systems of a type, including all repairable parts, spare parts, and inventory.

Purpose of the Platform Code

Rapid and effective application of capabilities to achieve objectives requires focused management and a comprehensive view of readiness.

Provide a 360-degree view of a platform throughout its lifecycle (acquisition, sustainment, decommissioning), including management of projects, budgets, maintenance, inventory, financials, and procurement.
Provides a readiness view of the platform to support military planning.

Key Business Needs

The image depicts a hierarchy of elements across four different views: operational, authorization, NATO reporting, and technology. The hierarchy includes elements such as capability, FMPO, RIC, platform, material, and equipment. The image uses geometric shapes and labels to convey the relationships between these elements from different perspectives.

It is important to understand why another object was introduced with the PC and where the difference is from the other Defense and Security objects.

As with the Capability, the FMPO and the RIC, it is also possible to set up a hierarchy for the PC (optional).

All of these objects are directly or indirectly linked to the material master, but they cover different requirements and processes.

The Platform Code is used to map the technical view of weapon systems or capability carriers. All the material used in the individual Platform Codes is allocated. This material includes all NCG, but also spare parts and replaceable parts (rotables).

The image shows a hierarchy of platform groups and individual platforms. The top-level element is Platform Group, which contains three sub-elements: Platform AAA, Platform BBB, and Platform CCC. Below the Platform Group element, there is another Platform Group element that contains the same three sub-elements.

The Defense and Security Solution provides the possibility to enable the definition of a platform group hierarchy
Platform Groups are considered Master Data, not Customizing
There is no restriction on the number of platform group levels

Some military organizations are already using or are planning to use platform group hierarchies to structure the Platform Codes and use the structure for reporting purposes.

Therefore, the Defense and Security Solution provides the possibility to enable the definition of a platform group hierarchy, where at the lowest level the actual Platform Code is assigned.

Only Platform Codes can be assigned to the business objects that are described in the following figures, but not Platform Groups.

Differences to Existing Defense and Security Object Hierarchies

The image shows two windows of a software application. The top window displays a table with information about various platforms, including their names, IDs, characteristics, and other details. The bottom window shows an assignment record with information such as the business object, assignment, and assignment date.

Here is an example how the Platform Groups are represented in the system.

The platform has broad relevance in the defense business context, for example:

The image contains six panels, each with a different role and responsibilities related to platform management. The roles include Project Manager, Budget Manager, Operating Planner, Maintenance Manager, and Supply Manager. Each panel lists the key responsibilities and information needs for that role, such as costs, budgets, maintenance activities, and inventory management.

What is the maintenance history of the platform?

Select the relevant functional locations / equipment based on the platform code.
Call up the notification and order history for the selected technical objects.

What are we spending on maintenance for this platform? What is our spare parts consumption to maintain the platform?

Select the relevant functional locations / equipment based on the platform code
Call up the order history for the selected technical objects
Look up the cost of the work orders
Look up the spare parts consumption history from the work orders

What is the lifecycle cost of the platform?

Based on the platform code, select and analyze funded programs.

Can we improve our planned maintenance for the platform?

Based on the platform code, select the functional locations and equipment of the platform
Find the order history for the selected technical objects
Look at the average time to repair
Adjust the planned working time in the maintenance instructions

The image depicts a hierarchical structure with a triangular shape at the top, representing a higher-level system or concept. Below the triangle, there are four boxes labeled Project System, Logistics, Controlling, and WBS Element, Material, and Cost Center, indicating the subcomponents or elements that make up the overall system.

In order to fulfill the need of analyzing the technical platform impact on various areas of ERP processes, it can be linked to the following objects.

This figure describes which objects can be linked to a platform code.

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