Configuration Management Information System (CMIS)

WHAT:

The primary objective of the Configuration Management Information System (CMIS) is to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) community with a standard Automated Information System (AIS) to support Configuration Management (CM) activities.  The CM activities supported are:

• Configuration Identification - Cross references all Configuration Item (CI) technical data (specifications, drawings, parts, National Stock Numbers),
• Configuration Control - Automates Engineering Change Proposal (ECP)/Request for Deviation/Request for Waiver process; flags proposed and pending changes, including impact to baselines/product reports,
• Configuration Status Accounting - Freezes and compares engineering configuration baselines; records changes to items; track multiple baselines, and
• Configuration Audit - Records audit results and identifies baseline deltas.

Secondary objectives of CMIS are to provide an open system that can communicate effectively with other AIS, a system that is portable across multiple hardware platforms, and a system that reduces data redundancy existing in today's information support environment.

CMIS allows users to control current and historical baselines for a given weapon system, as well as visibility of modifications installed on or removed from a serial numbered item. 

CMIS provides visibility of the impact of a proposed change to a configured item's baseline by drawing/part number. Approved changes are then incorporated in an automated means.

CMIS interfaces with the Joint Engineering Data Management Information Control System (JEDMICS) to provide the capability to view digitized images of engineering drawings and technical data. This visibility affords a CMIS user visibility of engineering and technical data required to build, procure, maintain, overhaul, and repair the configured item.

MEARS is a GOTs product used to complete the CMIS.  One of the requirements of CMIS was to provide an automated change control process.  MEARS provides this functionality.  MEARS is a web-based application accessible via the Internet.  MEARS software is divided into four functional areas: create, review, system utilities, and data base mapping facility.  The Create function provides its users with the capability to create a comprehensive ECP on-line, attaching a variety of electronic documents and several file formats for drawings.  The Review function allows a predetermined hierarchy of ECP reviewers the capability to review the ECP on-line, make comments, and recommend a vote toward approval or disapproval. Review also provides the Approving Authority the capability to disposition the ECP in an automated mode providing for a virtual CCB.  The System Utilities function allows restricted users to create hierarchies for weapon systems as they are integrated into the MEARS environment.  It also provides for the addition of new users into the system.  The Data Base Mapping facility further enhances the System Utilities function by mapping to open database architectures for the purpose of populating the ECP data into that database.

Objectives

Develop a system to support DoD Configuration Management (CM).
Provide an interface to the JEDMICS drawing repository for image retrieval.
Provide the ability to create, distribute, review and disposition electronic engineering change control data.
Provide the logistics community information concerning pending configuration changes, so as to preclude the purchase of obsolete parts.
Web-CMIS will provide the above functionality in a web-based application that is conducive to a virtual office scenario.

CMIS represents a joint development effort involving user functional configuration management expert representatives from each Service and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), as well as systems professionals from the development contractor. The result is a system that was designed with user participation to ensure that the final product meets user needs and is based on advanced automation concepts and technologies.

WHY:

Benefits Summary

CMIS provides a number of benefits to the Materiel Management community. The prime benefit is the capability for all personnel (engineers, manufacturers, contractors, logisticians and procurement personnel) within the configuration management process to interact through a common database.

Tangible Benefits

Saves time by providing on-line ECP processing
Provides real time on-line view of CI platforms by serial/tail number
Provides engineering and parts configuration baselines and current configuration
Minimizes logistics support structure
Provides modification accomplishment status
Provides information on which platforms can be quickly modified for selected missions

Intangible Benefits

Provides on-line access to user-friendly, accurate configuration management product data via Web-application interfaces and on-line help.
Improves accuracy of the information maintained in the database by safeguarding change authority to the data
Provides the same up-to-date view of CI data for supply, maintenance, engineering and program office personnel

WHO:

CMIS is under the Marine Corps CSSE/SE ORD, Wholesale Supply/Maintenance/Readiness Annex.

Users will be comprised of Item Managers, Equipment Specialists, Planners/Estimators, Engineers, QA specialists, Artisan Supervisors, Weapon Systems Program Managers, etc.

WHERE:

CMIS users will be located throughout the USMC including the following sites:
MCLB Albany; MCLB Barstow; Blount Island Command, MARCORSYSCOM, PM-LAV Warren MI

HOW:

For information concerning the uses of CMIS, contact the CSA Section email box at mbmatcomconfigmngmnt@matcom.usmc.mil

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