The EDIAT project developed a re-configurable cost of downtime model tied directly into the Air Force's existing FEMS systems for rapid tool reconfiguration of the tool. The model was developed using KBSI's SMARTCOST® tool, and was integrated into the Pathfinder ERT+ tool.

The EDIAT technology provided the Air Force with a first time quantitative, electronic tool for downtime impact evaluation that was linked to their existing data systems support files (e.g., FEMS). In addition, EDIAT provides complete, documented trace-ability of the cost calculations--a necessity in economic analysis. Overall, EDIAT provided the Air Force with several metrics for determining the "need" for a proposed equipment acquisition. Prior to this project, ALCs have never had the opportunity to account for the cost of the equipment to the ALC--not just the cost to maintain it, but the total cost of its downtime to the Air Force.

Pathfinder Benefits

In addition to the transition of actual research technology into production application, a major focus of Pathfinder was to discover ways to make this transition efficient, rapid, and affordable. In this respect, the Pathfinder project acheived innovative methods and technology for making the US's vast asset base of research results more productive.

In addition, Pathfinder's rapid implementation cycle enabled simultaneous creation of commercializable products. The KBSI SMARTCOST® product that existed before the start of the effort was extended significantly. A new product, SMARTSTAT®, evolved from the need to apply robust Monte Carlo simulation techniques to the implementation of cost and benefits estimation models. Recognizing the value of the rapid simulation of process execution costs, we also developed a built in simulator for the KBSI PROSIM® tools.