The project
BAE SYSTEMS have been contracted to design, build and demonstrate the new Type 45 Destroyer. The contract includes the initial in-service support and options for long term Contractor Logistic Support and so BAE SYSTEMS have a keen interest in reducing the whole life cost. BAE SYSTEMS have a vision of offering the ships and related services to MoD and better integration of IT systems will be play a key role. Thus the Type 45 team are piloting a Support Data Management System (SDMS) that will integrate in-service support systems around new support scenarios.  

Eurostep involvement
Eurostep undertook a short study project by interviewing the team members and reviewing documentation. The study concluded that although the vision and initial work on SDMS was excellent, BAES could take advantage of technical work being progressed by the UK MoD Warship Support Agency (WSA). Eurostep went on to assist in piloting SDMS. By providing awareness of the WSA data requirements and data model and by defining a database schema that the SDMS team could use as basis for their pilot implementation.

The benefits
The benefits for BAE SYSTEMS were
• Reduced risk of the initial pilot due to Eurostep's independent comparison with latest industrial practice
• A quicker pilot implementation by use of IT system integration skills, data models and implementation schemas
• Assisted requirements capture as Eurostep were able to acted as a technical bridge between the WSA requirements and the BAE SYSTEMS implementation

Want to know more?
Eurostep is active in the marine industry in this project, through its projects with the WSA and through Eurostep Marine Standards Association (EMSA). Eurostep also has other product support related project the Product Life Cycle Support project and work with customers in the Oil and Gas industry. For more information please contact Rob Howard, Eurostep Limited, +44 (0)1745 582008, or visit www.eurostep.com