The first step in helping ARDEC create and manage dynamic supplier networks was to supplement its existing product design information with information about the product manufacturing process. DSN Innovations and ARDEC created an advanced technical data package (A-TDP) that contained all documents and data needed to manufacture parts, from design to manufacturing specifications in a digital format. Traditional technical data packages only contain information about what to make, not how to make it. Consequently, each supplier undergoes a rigorous qualification process, which typically involves determining how best to make a product.

DSN Innovation’s A-TDP captures key manufacturing data and “tribal knowledge” needed by a supplier when quoting a part including drawings and technical specifications, equipment and machinery, CNC code and process instructions packaged in a way that eliminates the need for each responding vendor to re-create the information in an RFP. The A-TDP significantly reduced the Army’s supplier qualification effort by allowing them to more quickly source manufacturers with the right equipment, processes, and capabilities.

The next step was to configure the supplier network by identifying suppliers with the capacity and capability to match the A-TDP manufacturing processes. This step represented a fundamental shift from a “qualified supplier” to a “qualified process” and delivered a dramatic reduction in time and cost. Another benefit was a significant increase in agility (the ability to quickly assemble and reconfigure the supplier network based on process needs).

Once identified, suppliers needed to view all technical data easily, including the A-TDP, regardless of their current systems or software. This was accomplished using DSN Innovations’ JobSight Collaboration module, which allows all supply chain participants to securely view and collaborate around any information—from detailed specifications to 3-D models.

As the infrastructure foundation, JobSight is a suite of software tools that facilitates coordination and collaboration across the extended enterprise, regardless of platforms. Another module is JobSight VisAbility, a simple Web-based interface that provides instant visibility into each stage of both the manufacturing and shipping processes at each supplier.

Unlike most supply chain software that only offers shipping information, JobSight VisAbility provides the entire picture of critical manufacturing processes on a clear, easy-to-read dashboard.

Visibility into the supplier network’s manufacturing process not only provides instant information updates from all supply chain participants to ensure greater productivity but also ensures early warning information of problems before they impact the production schedule. The infrastructure also is equipped to facilitate compliance with export control regulations.

Overcoming organizational and cultural barriers is crucial to the success of any project, particularly those that span multiple suppliers and government agencies. The third key component was to effectively drive adoption.

Although new skills, methods and tools are needed to navigate and manage in the AME environment, a successful AME environment also requires trust, shared goals and “orchestration,” instead of traditional “command and control,” hierarchical supply chains. ARDEC partnered with DSN Innovations as a trusted, third-party “orchestrator” to solve supply chain challenges through an infrastructure of services and software solutions. The collaboration was the unifying theme to create an agile manufacturing supplier network that facilitated approaches to operational decision-making and coordination and the metrics needed to measure results.