SOFTWARE cant additional efforts for incorporating and managing this information. Some of these entities have dedicated departments for supplier management, which illustrates the huge amount of effort this task requires. In other cases, shipyards serve as a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) entity and, subsequently, are confronted with the same challenges as an “operator”. They request the technical documentation from the owner/operator and, on occasion when not readily available, they have to directly contact the OEM. CONCLUSION Manufacturers, operators and shipyards should continuously analyze their workflows across the entire supply chain to ensure quality processes are being implemented and efficiencies are being achieved. The critical functional area of developing and maintaining technical documentation should be one of the targeted areas. With some simple and very cost effective Process and System improvements, many benefits can be realized. Manufacturers can rest assured they are continu-
ing to do as much as possible to deliver the highest quality product to the market, at the lowest cost and with the lowest possible risk to the business. Product quality is inextricably linked to “branding.” As Warren Buffet says, “It can take a lifetime to build a reputation and only 15 minutes to destroy it.” CEO’s and CFO’s can be confident they are improving and ensuring profitability of their businesses, reducing liability and delivering on the promise of customer success. Maintenance Directors are assured of delivering on their promise of continuous operational efficiency, improved workflow, adherence to operational standards, achievement of the highest safety measures for their employees and customers, and maximum utilization rates for their vessels. Maintenance crews and mechanics can be sure they have all the tools and processes necessary to perform their critical jobs, efficiently and without error. In our next article in MARINE LOG, we’ll explore a variety of approaches to overcoming these challenges and achieving improved product quality and profitability, and reduced liability. The article will introduce cost-effective technologies
that are currently being embraced in the marketplace, which will enable these process improvements. We’ll also explore how they can extend to and deliver real, measureable benefits to multiple functional areas of your respective business —regardless of whether you are a shipbuilder, ship operator or shipyard—big or small. The cornerstone of this will be Shipdex, an industry standard protocol for the development and exchange of quality technical documentation. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Falk Aupers is a Senior Consultant with Corena. Aupers is an experienced consultant, trainer and project manager in international projects regarding structured technical documentation. His experience includes extensive work with many global manufacturers, OEM’s and MRO’s across multiple industries and with many international Defense Ministries. One of his specializations is S1000D, the international standard for technical documentation development and publication, from which the constantly growing Shipdex protocol is derived. ML
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