Providing Engineering Solutions To Optimize Through Life Management And Reduce Cost Of Ownership

A Rolls-Royce and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) owned company, Data Systems & Solutions combines Rolls-Royce world-class engineering expertise with SAIC leading Information Technology products and services to deliver high integrity software solutions for business, mission and safety critical systems. This profile outlines the capabilities of the Data Systems & Solutions Software Engineering Services Division:

Capability
Data Systems & Solutions provides system solutions and services that allow organisations to manage the through life cost of high value assets via:

• Data Capture and Information Extraction
  Providing secure data capture to obtain real-time asset performance, providing tools to validate raw data & extract information vital to maximising operational efficiency and minimising management costs.
• Real-Time Information Interaction using Internet Technologies
  Improving the quality and speed of access to personalised asset management information through user-friendly, web-enabled interfaces.
• Support for Business and Engineering Process Improvement
  Increasing the detail and reliability of information presented to operators, to help improve their ability to analyse, forecast and report events and so provide a more informed and responsive service to their customers.
• Improved asset utilization by targeted maintenance
  By providing data mining, analysis, forecasting tools and predictive support services customers can target planned & preventative maintenance actions to avoid in-service failure and improve asset utilization.
• Manage and reduce spares holding
  Data Systems & Solutions provide customers with information to spares status and tools that allow operators to forecast spares requirements, which can reduce inventory levels and so reduce through life costs.

Operating in Defence
Data Systems & Solutions has extensive experience in developing high integrity software, Internet-based tools and system solutions to meet the unique demands of the UK Defence market. Solutions include:

• Turbine Engine Monitoring & Ground Support Systems (GSS)
  Data Systems & Solutions are experts in the development of high integrity onboard aero-engine monitoring and ground support software systems to provide real-time performance, control, and health and usage and maintenance support. The onboard engine monitoring and ground support systems record, store and process vast amounts of engine control, configuration, performance, vibration, oil debris and life-usage data to optimize in-flight performance, provide cockpit alerts and support ground maintenance analysis, planning and asset management.
• Electronic Warfare Systems (EWS)
  In early 2000, Data Systems & Solutions established its Electronic Warfare Systems capability to deliver world-class solutions to the EWS support community. From its secure facilities it has developed a number of EWS components for major systems. Data Systems & Solutions also provides defence prime contractors with on-site systems engineering and consultancy support.
• Engine Health & Usage Monitoring Systems (EHUMS)
  Through its Health & Usage Bureau Data Systems & Solutions can offer the full range of integrated Engine Health & Usage Monitoring Systems and services, including performance, vibration, oil debris and critical component life prediction analysis, diagnosis and reporting to enhance flight safety, reduce maintenance costs and optimise aircraft availability.
• Internet-Based Information Management Systems
  Data Systems & Solutions is at the forefront of web-based engineering and business critical support systems. With emphasis on its high integrity software systems pedigree, Data Systems & Solutions develops hosts and supports secure and highly available websites to meet the business critical and operational needs of its civil and military customers.

Data Systems & Solutions was selected by Roll-Royce to develop its major customer portal www.aeromanager.com to offer a range of aftermarket services including, general and technical support information, engine leasing and online repair & overhaul and engine health monitoring.

• Service Data Manager (SDM)
  Data Systems & Solutions is developing Service Data Manager to enable Roll-Royce to improve its worldwide infield product support and to extend its future aftermarket services. The case study below provides more details on this system.

Delivering Tangible Results
Data Systems & Solutions has experience at working closely with customers, to define and implement system solutions that provide the facilities that help customer manage & reduce Through Life Cost. The following case study illustrates how Data Systems & Solutions has worked with Rolls-Royce to provide a system solution that allows the company to manage & reduce the cost of its aftermarket services.

CASE STUDY - Monitoring system offers a ‘sixth sense’
A NEW computer system, known as Service Data Manager (SDM), will break new ground in improving the support of Rolls-Royce products in the field and the development of future aftermarket services.
SDM governs a large database of detailed product information, updated and accessed globally, together with tools to predict future service support needs. It aims to apply a consistent data monitoring solution across all business units.

The database combines the latest engine event reports from customers and Rolls-Royce engineers in the field with existing product history and build standards. The web-enabled system provides a user-friendly input facility, which automatically validates data to ensure that Service Representatives, Repair and Overhaul and Customer Support Staff can get hold of reliable product information in real time.

The volume, breadth and availability of information will improve forecasting of engine problems; SDM uses data analysis tools as a ‘sixth sense’ to predict when parts will need replacing and where engine problems are likely to occur. This intuitive technology means we can react more quickly to events in service.

Being able to plan the maintenance of our products will aid life cycle costing and planning of Repair and Overhaul services. Also, more focused spares control promises reduced inventory levels and better delivery performance.

Service Data Manager will greatly improve the management of engines in service, increasing reliability and efficiency. This will help Rolls-Royce to improve its position in offering a total service to Customers.

‘This is a pivotal development which enables Defence to launch its new concept of Mission Ready Management Services (a business development strategy which aims to move Defence from a product focus to one of total customer service) by improving the way we work with our customers and partners throughout the product life cycle,’ said Ian Brackenbury, Director e-Business – Defence Aerospace.

Richard Goatman, Director of Business Improvements and IT within Civil Aerospace, said, ‘SDM will provide a vital platform in the development of Rolls-Royce as a service provider to the customers that fly our engines.’

The energy behind the SDM rollout is a project team involving Rolls-Royce, Data Systems and Solutions (Data Systems & Solutions is a joint venture specialising in engine monitoring) and EDS. The pilot was launched in August 2002. Improved tools and changed working practices will be delivered into Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace later in the year, with Energy and Marine versions planned in 2003/2004.

Neil Berry, Project Executive – Service Data Manager said, ‘The SDM project is an excellent example of how Rolls-Royce, Data Systems & Solutions and EDS have worked together as an integrated team in a very challenging programme to provide the businesses with the richly functional software they need to manage an increasingly complex business.’

Expect to hear a lot more about Service Data Manager as Rolls-Royce works towards a more responsive and profitable aftermarket business.

Data Systems & Solutions also offers a range of related consultancy and support services, including:

• System Engineering & Software Services
• Business & Engineering Process Improvement
• Predictive Analysis & Engine Health Monitoring (EHM) Reporting Services
• Platform, Critical Main Equipment & Component Forecasting Services

For more information contact:
David Selway
Business Development Manager
Tel: 0117 317 3917
Email: david.selway@ds-s.com
www.ds-s.com

 

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