A knowledge-based provisioning system prototyped for use by the RAF Logistics Command to support their consumable parts procurement process
Expert Provisioner is a knowledge-based provisioning system prototype, designed to support RAF Range Managers in the procurement of consumable supplies. The system consists of a graphical user interface to display the procurement item requisition information and a consultation style interface to a knowledge based system.
RAF Wyton houses the central supplies procurement centre for the
RAF. 500 Range Managers are responsible for processing orders
valued at over 1.2 billion pounds. The RAF wishes to have a better
understanding of their purchasing commitments as well as a improving
the consistency and quality of purchase decisions. By linking
into existing procurement information and providing a knowledge
based decision aid, Expert Provisioner allows the RAF to know
exactly what has been bought, what it has cost and why it is needed.
The aim is to reduce the uncertainty of procurement budgets near
financial year-ends, wastage through over-ordering, taking advantage
of price breaks for large orders and maintaining consistency of
order processing. Logistics Command at RAF Wyton commissioned
AIAI to develop a prototype knowledge-based system. Expert
Provisioner was successfully evaluated by end users and a full
production system developed.
As a technology transfer organisation, AIAI was able to
provide training through which RAF staff could understand more
about AI-based technologies and how they could be applied to Expert
Provisioner. AIAI then worked with the RAF to develop the prototype
system and again supported the RAF personnel to develop the knowlege-based component
of the actual production system.
Expert Provisioner is a knowledge-based provisioning support system. Its goal is to support RAF Range Managers process procurement orders for consumable supplies. It is a consultation based system whose start point is an electronic purchase order form and whose end point is a recommendation of whether to buy the item or not, its cost and due delivery date. Purchase recommendations are made based on many factors including forecast demand, unit costs, shelf life and existing stock levels. The system removes much of the mundane work in order processing as well as potential for misinterpretation of information. The system is designed such that the user remains in control throughout the consultation and can, if desired, override decisions.
The prototype system interfaced to two forms of electronic purchase information. The R001 form represents the purchase requisition information.
The information resides in Access databases and is accessed by the knowledge based system, which was constructed using NASA's CLIPS rule based tool. The prototype system runs on PC's under Windows 3.1.
Last updated 21st August 1997
by John Kingston