Check it: Capt John Halstead OIC FLMS team (rear) supervising Sgt Tony Earwaker, Cpl David Cuthbert, and Cfn Alex Bartels all of 10FSB as they search for work previously recorded for a Landrover.

Deployable logistics

FOUR blokes exitedly huddled around a computer can only mean one thing ... a successful trial at 10FSN of a stand-alone data entry system allowing the recording of information by Q-Stores and workshops when the Standard Defence Supply System (SSDS) is not connected.

The Forward Logistic Management System (FLMS) will allow units to continue recording

logistics transactions when communications are unavailable. FLMS team OIC Capt John Halstead said the system could be used instead of manual accounting procedures currently employed by deployed units.

“FLMS processes goes a long way to ensuring that stores accounting and maintenance operations in the field are aligned as close as possible to that conducted in barracks,” Capt Halstead said.

“Information can be recorded on a laptop by a unit on exercise or an operational deployment, with screen transactions that look and feel similar to SDSS.”

OC Logistic Support Company 10FSB Maj Piers Cambridge, who took part in the trials, said the program was needed for use in the field, but also had applications in the barracks environment.

“For example, I can now send a tradesmen to the Q-Store to fix or inspect weapons in the armoury, and he can take FLMS on a laptop and print and record inspection reports as he goes, rather than doing them after the event,” Maj Cambridge said.

“The program was also very beneficial in the management of the workshop RPS in the field, and I see this as a quantum leap forward from re-establishing a paperbased system once deployed.”

Capt Halstead said the FLMS team recognised the benefit of user input from the trial.

“Good feedback from users has identified some minor modifications that will be result in a new version release in the future,” he said.

10 FSB has moved on from the practical live unit data entry trials and has deployed a forward repair team with FLMS capability in support of a driver’s course.

The team of five defence members has begun training personnel at 3 Bde, with an expected delivery of the system and training courses to reach the three main brigades by June.