Revised System Provides Quality Data for Defense Logistics

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 9, 2004 -- No matter how fast an organization's computers operate or how versatile its systems are, their worth still depends on the data they process. That is why the Defense Logistics Information Service here recently implemented a major redesign of the Quality Database system, to significantly reduce the amount of time needed to review and rectify data that might need "cleansing."

"We look at data as the 'DNA' of logistics information," said Elaine Chapman, chief of the DLIS Data Integrity Branch. "Effective logistics information systems are as dependent upon quality data as the human body relies on healthy genes."

The QDB redesign is meant to contribute to the Defense Logistics Agency's Business Systems Modernization program, which seeks to re-engineer business practices to provide better service to customers. According to Chapman, anyone who notices a problem with Federal Logistics Information System data, regardless of where it appears, can "challenge" the data.

"The Data Integrity Challenge Program is designed to allow any customer, vendor, DLA employee to challenge DLIS maintenance actions taken as a result of automatic permissions or authorities granted for QDB projects. The beauty of the system is that absolutely anyone can use it," Chapman explained. Our goal is for challengers to receive a status update the next business day or learn of the resolution of the question.

Quickly resolving each challenge is important because the data has to be right for Defense Logistics Agency activities to get "the right item, to the right place at the right time." According to Annette Smith, program manager, the revisions to QDB will allow those reviewing data to coordinate, track and disseminate data quality cleansing efforts in a more efficient fashion.

"Processes that used to take long periods of time will now happen much more quickly," Smith said.

Smith explained that the new system should make data reviews easier for item managers, equipment specialists, catalogers in DLA. The reviews are made easier because the QDB redesign allows individual actions to be closed out that previously would have remained open until all actions could be completed for the associated National Stock Number. The change prevents some actions from being delayed while one action is pending, thus making available logistics data timelier as well as more accurate. According to Smith, all of the Business Systems Modernization data cleansing projects will be filtered through this new tracking system.

The new system will have the same easy, secure and 24-hour access offered by other DLIS Web-based services. Requirements will be routed directly to catalogers and customers will no longer have to rely on e-mail servers.

Data quality experts at DLIS worked well into a Friday evening, putting in the extra time to ensure everything loaded properly. Catalog Workload Tracking system users will automatically be registered. Access is automatically being granted by DLIS because those who typically use the CWT system will need to use QDB as well. Anyone else who wants access will have to register.

Registration forms are available online from the DLIS Web site at http://www.dla.mil/dlis and selecting the "Library" link and locating the link there under "QDB Registration Form." There are separate forms for government employees and contractors. A data challenge form is available under the Library link as well in the "Other Forms" section. Submission instructions are included with each form.

A users group meeting was hosted by DLIS from Feb. 24 to 26 in Battle Creek to distribute more information about the changes and gather customer requirements and feedback for enhancements. The information gathered will be included in the next task order to upgrade QDB. The conference also introduced new users to QDB and to some of the data quality concepts and goals it supports.

DLIS, a subordinate command of the Defense Logistics Agency, has the mission to create, obtain, manage and integrate logistics data from a variety of sources for dissemination as user-friendly information to meet or exceed the needs of DOD, Federal and international logisticians.

DLA provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the U.S. military services and several federal civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., the agency is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations.

For more about QDB, visit the DLIS Web site or call the Customer Contact Center at (877) 352-2255.

SOURCE Defense Logistics Agency

Web Site: http://www.dla.mil http://www.dla.mil/dlis