The KCHR tool fully automates the function of monitoring parts through the repair, order, receipt and reassembly of shop replacement units (SRUs). The actual kits being monitored contain all of the necessary parts for a rotor assembly and are housed in numbered storage cabinets. Through the tool, anyone can determine the status of all the associated parts at any given time, which leads to better communication. When parts come arrive, KCHR is accessed, and it gives the invoice, kit and cabinet number where the part should go. The old manual process took more than twice as long.

The kitting process begins after the teardown of an engine when the technician fills out a parts sheet, identifying the current status of all parts. The parts sheet along with all serviceable parts are then turned over to the parts support group. From this point, the parts management technicians (PMTs) create both a physical and electronic kit. They then use the information from the parts sheet to order items condemned during disassembly. As the routed parts return from the backshop and ordered parts are received, the PMT, with the help of KCHR, places the parts in the appropriate kit. The parts support group and the GE Rotor Shop constantly monitor the status of the kits. The information provided by KCHR allows the PMTs to determine which kits should be rolled out to the floor for assembly. KCHR allows the shop visibility into the real-time status of all kits and parts within the kitting area providing the schedulers and planners with vital information needed in their decision-making processes.

KCHR was responsible for an immediate $25 million reduction in shop inventory, and it provided management and shop-level workers with much needed visibility into the status of all kits, including parts within the kits, in the shop. With real-time, web-based visibility of critical parts-related information within each shop and across the depot, Management now has an advanced knowledge of potential parts problems before they arise. Also, schedulers and planners are now able to make better-informed decisions based on the information provided by KCHR. There was also a 40% reduction seen in lost production time due to the tracking of part orders and identifying parts sent to the backshops. Additionally, parts are now tracked down and parts issues are resolved prior to their becoming a problem.