Deputy Secretary of Defense Said Close to Signing Key CALS Memo
Mike McGrath, Director of the DoD CALS office disclosed recently that
the
Deputy Secretary of Defense William Taft IV is close to signing an
important
CALS memorandum to all Secretaries of Military Departments and Directors
of
Defense Agencies. The memo, which has been awaited with great anticipation
by
defense contractors and military services, calls for CALS to be implemented
in
plans for weapon systems and equipment that will reach production in
1990 and
beyond.
-----
Lepisto: Budget Cuts to Increase Demand for CALS
"Budget cuts are certain to apply to the DoD program for Computer-Aided
Acquisition and Logistics Support (CALS)", said Bruce Lepisto, Deputy
Director
of the DoD CALS Office. "However, it is expected to increase, not decrease
demand for CALS compliance". Mr. Lepisto made these and other remarks
at a
recent meeting sponsored by the Society for Computer Aided Engineering
of
Rockford, IL.
-----
Navy Tougher on CAD/CAM Contract Compliance
The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) and integration problems
nearly caused an unprecedented IBM contract default for a CAD/CAM system.
The
contract in question (no. N60530-86-C-0301, dated Aug. 29, 1986) was
terminated on Feb. 27, 1987, citing 16 contract performance deficiencies.
IBM later settled the dispute by paying $50,000 to the Navy! The Navy,
in
return, rescinded the termination and cancelled the contract, wiping
the
default from IBM's record.
-----
Army Releases New CALS Draft RFP
The Army Information Systems Selection and Acquisition Activity has
released
the revised Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) for the Army CALS system.
The
DRFP (No. DAEA26-88-R-0002) will establish the baseline for the evolutionary
modernization of the process for the capture, storage and processing
of
logistic technical information required to acquire and support weapon
systems.
-----
New CALS Implementation Handbook to be Reviewed at Meeting
The long-awaited version 1.1 of the CALS Implementation Guide for Weapon
Systems Acquisition will be reviewed at a special public meeting at
the US
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD, 26 April, 1988. This
CALS
handbook is seen as a critical development in CALS use in DoD Contracts,
since
it contains specific language requiring delivery of CALS-compliant
data. The
handbook guides government specification developers and contract officers
in
asking for the correct formats for each type of contract document data
deliverable.
----
CALS ISG/Design & Integration Task Group Starts R&M Mechanical Study
Arlington, VA. Larry Griffin of the DoD CALS office and Joe Meredith
of
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. and Co-Chair of the CALS
Industry
Steering Group (ISG)/Design & Integration Task Group held the first
meetings
of the Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Mechanical and Hydromechanical
Study Committee. The R&M Mechanical Study will pattern itself after
the CALS
R&M "Summer Study" on Complex Electronics whose final report has
just been
drafted. The objective of the R&M Study group is to recommend to
DoD the
approaches and options available to implement R&M for Mechanical
and
Hydromechanical systems.
----
NSIA Software Committee Sponsors CALS Software Task Group
The National Security Industrial Association (NSIA) Software committee
sponsored a special agenda at their annual membership meeting in Fort
Lauderdale to discuss formation of a CALS Software Committee. NSIA
also serves
as secretariat for the CALS Industry Task Group.
-----
Context Announces First Products to Support CALS MIL-STD-1840A
Beaverton, Ore. Context Corporation, a Mentor Graphics company, has
announced
its first software product targeted for compliance with CALS MIL-STD-1840A.
It
may be the first announced commercial product that will enable organizations
to
comprehensively meet rigorous Department of Defense (DoD) requirements
for
electronic delivery of new weapons systems documentation.
----
SEA Announces New R&M/CAD Relationships
Systems Effectiveness Associates, Inc. (SEA) announced a series of new
business relationships with several CAD vendors and Hardware suppliers
designed to integrate R&M analyses with CAD/CAE electronic design.
The CAD/CAE
vendor relationships permit the vendors in many cases to offer SEA
R&M
software interfaced to their own proprietary products.
-----
NCGA INTEGRATE '88 Demonstrates IGES, CGM, and TCP/IP
The National Computer Graphics Association (NCGA's) annual meeting contained
a rare public demonstration of integration of graphics systems using
the
Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM). CGM is the format preferred by CALS
for
encoding vector data for technical illustrations. CGM is developed
and
maintained by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X3H3
committee, and is called out for use in MIL-STD-1840A and other CALS
documents. It is also specified as an application profile in TOP Version
3.0.
---
CALS Calendar
CALS Report
Vol. 1 No. 2, May 1988
Costello Says Budget Cuts Will Accelerate CALS
Robert B. Costello, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, indicated
in a
private interview that the budget cuts for the Department of Defense
will
cause the CALS program to accelerate. Dr. Costello is widely acknowledged
as a
prime advocate of reshaping defense departments and industry along
automated
paperless lines.
----
New CALS Implementation Guide, Standards, and Updates Released
Version 1.1 of the MIL-HDBK-CALS "CALS Program Implementation Guide"
was
reviewed at a special public meeting in Gaithersburg, MD, 26 April,
1988 along
with four new CALS standards and updates to another. The meeting was
a joint
DOD/Industry conference to provide an update on the CALS program plans
and
status, and to introduce the most recent core requirement documents
to enter
the review and coordination process.
----
IGES/PDES Meeting Reviews IGES Version 4.0
(Washington, DC) The Spring meeting of the IGES committees produced
an
endorsement of the latest version of the Initial Graphics Exchange
Specification (IGES) with final approval expected at the July meeting
in
Denver. IGES is a set of geometric and structural entities designed
to encode
Engineering drawings in a neutral file format for transfer of product
definition data among CAD/CAM systems and application programs. IGES
is the
CALS format preferred by MIL-STD-1840A for encoding a product data
model of a
design.
----
IGES/ PDES Testing Project Demonstrates IGES Verification Testing Methodology
The important IGES Verification Testing Methodology was demonstrated
publicly
using Auto-trol Technology Corp (ATTC) hardware and software. The verification
testing methodology is an important step in setting up an independent
verification procedure for CAD/CAM, CAE system's IGES translators.
CALS will
depend heavily on independent verification of vendor's claims in qualifying
IGES translators.
-----
NBS Releases List of Software to Support the Use of IGES
A growing number of software tools are becoming available to assist
users in
data exchange via the IGES format. Applications range from plotting
of files
to data compression techniques to verification of conformance to the
specification. A more detailed list of software categories includes:
Plotting of IGES data files.
Verification of conformance to specification.
Verification of conformance to application
subset.
Prediction of intersystem data exchange completeness.
Comparison of two supposedly identical files.
Data compression of files for telecommunication
or archive.
Editing of files for error correction or documentation.
Creation of IGES test cases.
----
IGES/PDES Starts Product Logistics Definition Committee
Rick Basharah of Rockwell International's Air Force IDS project convened
the
organizational meeting of the IGES/PDES Product Logistics Definition
Committee. IGES and PDES/STEP have historically focused on the description
of
design configuration and physical performance, rather than logistic
support.
However, PDES/STEP was intended to be a richer product model, rather
than a
mere encoding of a geometric drawing. Due to the increased interest
in
logistics driven by DoD's CALS program, many firms are turning their
attention
from the geometric-oriented models currently developed in IGES and
PDES to the
more complex models describing implementation and support.
-----
NIDDESC Working Group Introduces Structural Data Model
The Navy/Industry Digital Data Exchange Standards Committee (NIDDESC),
meeting
in Arlington, VA, reviewed a number of important accomplishments, including
the new structural protocol:
"Reference Model for Ship Structural Systems"
The structural protocol is the first product data model for structures
as
applied to naval architecture. NIDDESC is a cooperative, cost-sharing
effort
of the Naval Sea System Command and the Marine Industry through the
National
Shipbuilding Research Program. The NIDDESC Working Group is Chaired
by Dan
Billingsley, of NAVSEA.
---
Palmer Calls for Major Enhancements to MIL-D-28000
Mark E. Palmer of the US National Bureau of Standards, called for the
enhancement of MIL-D-28000 to require Application Protocols to enhance
the
current Application Subsets. Application Protocols are formal data
transfer
procedures negotiated and used by sender and receiver for use in a
particular
application. Palmer made his comments at the meeting of the IGES/PDES
Application Validation Committee, which he chairs. MIL-D-28000 is the
CALS
standard for delivery of product data models: It currently requires
each
application making delivery in IGES to use a small subset of entities
to
encode its engineering data. These Application Subsets are defined
for
Technical Publications, Engineering Drawings, and Electrical Products.
In the
April CALS review in Gaithersburg, Brad Smith announced that inclusion
of
application protocols has been adopted as a "long range goal".
-----
EDI Prepares to use CALS Data
The CALS Report has learned that EDI is being considered as one major
mode of
procurement using CALS data. EDI refers to the use of an ANSI standard
format
(X12) to encode and transmit business transactions. It specifies formats
for
such transactions as request for quotations, response to quotations,
purchase
orders, and invoices. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is preparing
to make
direct use of CALS date delivered to DoD. One segment of these transactions
is
being developed to contain the digital product data delivered in compliance
to
CALS requirements.
-----
GAO Releases Report on NAVY CAD-2 Acquisition
Responding to a letter from Bill Chappell, Jr., Chairman, Subcommittee
on
Defense Appropriations, the General Accounting Office issued a report
critical
of the Navy's planned acquisition of Computer Aided Design/Computer
Aided
Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) equipment and asked us to review the Navy's
management
of the acquisition. The acquisition is the second major one for the
Navy and
is known in the industry as CAD/CAM II or simply, CAD-2. Because the
Navy is
in the process of transferring responsibility for the program to Read
Admiral
Harry Quast's ADP Information Resources Management program, a release
date for
the request for proposals is not certain.
----
Editorial: What's Missing from PDES
Many industrial groups, including the CALS community, are counting on
the
Product Data Exchange Specification (PDES) to encode a fully functional
model
of a product. There is certainly tremendous pressure to make PDES a
success.
However, PDES in it current form is not adequate to meet its own goal.
----
CALS Calendar
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 3, June 1988
McGrath: Service Funding for CALS Shows DoD is Committed
"The fact that despite the close scrutiny each services' CALS request
received, their requests were generally funded shows that the services
and DoD
are serious about implementing CALS." said Mike McGrath, Director of
the DoD
CALS Policy Office. McGrath made his comments at the April CALS review
at the
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD. His remarks closed
a full day
of presentations on CALS and the efforts of the service, industry and
professional groups contributing to its development.
---
CALS Implementation Guide Emphasizes Contract Language, Criteria
The new Version 1.1 of the MIL-HDBK-CALS "CALS Program Implementation
Guide"
emphasizes contract language and decision criteria requiring CALS compliance.
The handbook was reviewed at a joint DOD/Industry/NBS Conference in
Gaithersburg, MD, 26 April, 1988 along with four new CALS standards
and
updates to another and an update on the CALS program plans and status.
The
guide provides both government and industry contract negotiators a
concrete
basis for meeting CALS compliance. However, the absence of more detailed
implementation guidance, particularly in how to receive and make use
of CALS-
compliant deliverables still troubles many within the services.
---
New Standards Introduced for Raster Documents
Two new draft standards were introduced for handling documents stored
as
raster images. A raster image of a document encodes the appearance
of a
document by dividing it into thousands of picture elements (pixels
or pels)
and recording a 1 or 0 depending on whether the pels were mostly black
or
white. Raster images can be easily obtained by scanning a document
photoelectrically and computing a raster representation. Tiling is
the
subdivision of a larger image into several smaller images and is required
to
examine the images on limited memory workstations.
The two new standards:
MIL-R-RASTER, "Raster Graphics Representation in Binary Format, Requirements
for"
TRIF 2.X, "Tiled Raster Interchange Format (TRIF)" (provided for the
purpose
of assisting in the coordination of MIL-R-RASTER for Type II [Tiled
Raster
Graphics] Data)
describe standard methods of orienting and scanning the document, compressing
and tiling the raster image.
----
SGML Specification to cover both Content and Output Format
The new draft CALS Specification:
MIL-D-28001, "Markup Requirements and Generic Style Specifications for
Electronic Printed Output and Exchange of Text"
is now available for public comment. The complicated specification covers
both
the tagging of a text document for content and output, and the definition
of
generalized document types.
-----
CGM Standard Seen as Near-Term Format Vector-Data Exchange
Dan Benigni, a computer scientist with NBS, described the Computer Graphics
Metafile (CGM) exchange format as a near term solution to exchanging
vector
data, despite it limitations. The draft CALS requirement for CGM is
given in:
MIL-D-CGM, "Digital Representation for Communication of Illustration
Data: CGM
Application Profile"
CGM describes a document as a "picture", that is, vector and text information
but limited in the data associations important to engineering applications.
Initial Graphics Exchange Specifications (IGES) can encode more associations,
but requires detailed conventions be negotiated to transfer all data.
Raster
formats encode a document as an "image", that is, small picture elements
(pels) of light and dark color depending on whether anything can be
seen in
that location. Raster images of text loose character and font information
and
lines lose all geometric identity. At present time CGM only supports
an
uncompressed raster encoding and its too inefficient to use a replacement
for
MIL-R-RASTER.
-----
MIL-D-28000 Amended to Add N/C Subset, Application Protocols
A new amendment to CALS IGES requirements contained a set of detailed
changes
to:
MIL-D-28000 "Digital Representation for Communication of Product
Data: IGES
Application Subsets"
The changes were announced by Brad Smith, Chairman, IGES/PDES Standards
Group.
The changes add a new IGES subset Class IV to support transfer of NC
Manufacturing data, updates for use of IGES version 4.0 and a statement
of
intent to move towards use of application protocols.
----
MIL-STD-1840A Revised to Cite New Requirements
The primary CALS Requirement,
MIL-STD-1840A, "Automated Interchange of Technical Information"
has been revised to concentrate on generalized delivery of digital data,
moving detailed format requirements to other documents. In particular,
Appendix A (Raster Data Requirements) was deleted, while providing
for the
identification of raster file types in an existing header record. It
also now
provides the capability to specify "page image" files in raster format.
-----
PDES Inc. reaches Critical Mass with Seven Members
W.B. (Brad) Rigdon, General Manager, McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Information
Services Co. and Director of PDES, Inc. announced that the PDES Cooperative
has reached the required membership to incorporate. The PDES Cooperative
is a
three year project to accelerate the development of the Produce Data
Exchange
Specification (PDES). PDES effort has previously continued on a volunteer
basis by the IGES/PDES project.
---
CALS Test Network to Do Validation Testing
"CALS Test Network is preparing to perform validation testing of CALS
standards", says Mr. Melvin S. Lammers, of the Air Force Logistics
Command.
Mr. Lammers made his comments at the April CALS review meeting. The
Air Force
is the lead service on the CALS testing network with support from Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL).
-----
Services Close to Repository Systems
All four DoD services are on track with development of their planned
document
repositories, they reported at the April CALS meeting. The repositories
are
considered to be infrastructure improvements vital to receiving and
using the
CALS digital data expected from DoD contracts. EDCARS/DSREDS developed
by the
Air Force and Army, respectively, will automate the management, storage,
distribution, and revision of engineering drawings. The Navy/DLA planned
EDMICS will extend the repository concept even further to an automated
data
base of engineering drawings.
-----
RAMCAD Meeting Emphasizes AI, Products, and Education
The 4th RAMCAD Technical Interchange Meeting reviewed the status of
the
Reliability And Maintainability in Computer-Aided Design (RAMCAD).
The RAMCAD
meeting reviewed research results from industy and academia.The RAMCAD
Meeting
theme, "RAMCAD - A New Dimension", was in support of the Joint Policy
Coordinating Group (LRDT&E) Sub-Panel on Reliability And Maintainability
in
Computer Aided Design. It was co-hosted by the San Diego Chapter of
the
Society of Logistics Engineers District 9 Chapter 7, and the San Diego
Engineering Societies.
----
Rosetta Technology Announces Design Review Product Based on IGES
Rosetta Technology, Inc. has created three product called PreVIEW, PrePARE,
and PrEDITOR, which permits product data to be passed between various
disciplines during the design phase, using Initial Graphics Exchange
Standard
(IGES) as the data format. The producsts access CAD databases generated
from
the IGES files for modification, then outputs either the entire database
or
just changes for further use. The technique can be used to review and
"flavor"
IGES files for use by another CAD/CAM/CAE systems. IGES is preferred
by CALS
for the delivery of product model information, but requires that specific
subsets of entities be used for specific applications, regardless of
the
entities used in the source CAD system.
----
IEEE/PDES Cal Poly Task Team Extension Releases Demo Database
The IEEE/PDES Cal Poly Task Team Extension has released Version 2.00
of their
PDES Demo Database. The IEEE/PDES Cal Poly Task Team Extension Demo
Database
is written using dBASE III Plus relational database software (compiled).
You
will need to have an IBM PC/XT/AT/PS2 or compatible with graphics adaptor
(CGA/EGA/VGA) to run the demo. The database is populated with real
data from
the PDDI project.
----
CSA Integrates Logistics & CAD Product Model Data for NAVSEA CALS
Construction Systems Associates, Inc. has used IGES and Numerical
Control Data to build an integrated product data model for a
ship's engine room. The 3-D digital model was built to
demonstrate that a product model could be used not only for
design data management, but could serve thoughout the ship's
lifecycle to plan maintenance and other logistics tasks.
-----
SAE to Develop Spec For Logistics Data Indexing
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Computer Integrated Technical
Systems (CITS) Committee has decided to develop a formal specification
based
on the concept of Logistics Data Indexing. Logistics Data Indexing
(LDI) is a
standard schema designed to structure and identify logistics data and
permit
its integration into a common single source logistics data base. The
conceptual design for LDI was done by TRW under contract to the Naval
Air
Systems Command. The SAE CITS Committee believes LDI can benefit all
transportation systems, including those purchased by DoD.
----
Special Thanks
The CALS Report thanks the Honeywell/Military Avionics Division
for their order of 21 subscriptions and General Electric/Aircraft
Engine Division for their order of 11 subscriptions.
----
CALS Calendar
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 4, July 1988
Arcieri Says Biggest CALS Issue is Weapon Systems Profit Structure
Joseph D. Arcieri said that the biggest issue that will result from
CALS
requirements will be the way in which contractors recover their profits
in
procurements. Mr. Arcieri is Director of the DoD Defense Systems Plans
and
Analysis Office. Arcieri made his comments at the recent East Coast
CALS
Meeting sponsored by the Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE).
-----
Army CALS RFP now expected in July
The long awaited Army CALS RFP is now expected about July 1, 1988. The
allowed
time for contractor proposals was sixty days in the last draft of the
RFP.
Army CALS is considered vital to the implementation of the CALS infrastructure
because the project will define the ADP architecture necessary to integrate
logistics and design. Release of the final RFP was delayed by the recent
Taft
restrictions on overtime. The current FY '88 budget problems should
not affect
the award of the Army CALS contract, which occurs in FY '89.
--------
Air Force Approves Funding for AFTOMS Program
The Air Force Technical Order Management System (AFTOMS) has received
program
approval of approximately $240 Million for FY' 89-93. The announcement
was
made by Col. Eugene Tattini, Director, Plans and Programs, AF Systems
Command.
Tattini made his comments at the recent East Coast CALS Meeting sponsored
by
the Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE). AFTOMS will be developed
for
general administration, acquisition, management, ordering and distribution
of
Technical Orders (Tech Orders or TOs). The AFTOMS Automation plan was
developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Transportation Systems
Center (TSC) in Cambridge, MA, under the direction of Dr. Robert Smith.
The
study was prepared by TSC as part of the Air force CALS program.
----
EDI, MODELS, CALS form DoD Business Technology Triad
Jack Bartley, CALS Communication Liaison, said that EDI with MODELS
and CALS
form a triad of technologies for transfer of business and technical
data
between industry and DoD, and within DoD. Bartly made his comments
at the
recent NBS conference, "EDI: Bringing it Together in Government" in
Gaithersburg. Modernization of Defense Logistics Systems (MODELS) is
a program
to upgrade the business procedures and software used by the Defense
Logistics
Agency. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a standard (ANSI X12)
format for
encoding business transactions. "DoD has formalized its commitment
to use EDI
X12 with a memo issued by William Taft IV on 24 May," Bartley said
later.
------
NBS Publishes List of CALS Technical Studies Completed in FY 1987
The US National Bureau of Standards has released a list of the
Technical Studies Completed for the CALS Program in Fiscal Year
1987. The studies are compiled into four volumes. All volumes are
available through National Technical Information Service (NTIS),
703/487-4650
-----
Government PDES Task Group Reviewing Product Definition Standard
The Government PDES Interagency Task Group has been established to guide
government policy on the Product Data Exchange Standard (PDES). PDES
is the
long term CALS standard for encoding product definitions. The Government
PDES
Interagency Task Group is chaired by Gary Denman with technical lead
by Gerry
Schumacher, both of Wright-Patterson AFB. The task group was formed
with
assistance of Russ Shorey of OASD.
------
An Analysis: CALS Data Delivery Intensifies Data Modeling Debate
The long term CALS requirement to deliver product definition data has
fueled a
long-standing argument over conceptual data modeling. Conceptual data
modeling
refers to methods used to design and document product data models in
a way
both sender and receiver can understand. CALS intends to require delivery
of
or access to a rich database of information defining functions and
features of
designed products: A product conceptual data model will describe the
contents
of that database and how it can be accessed. Such information models
may
become part of the contracts which require data delivery.
-------
CALS Strategic Plan White Paper Issued by EIA Panel
An Electronic Industries Association (EIA) white paper on CALS
strategic planning has been drafted by an EIA CAD/CAM/CALS
subcommittee panel. The panel (Panel 3) met during the Nov. '87
EIA meeting in Savanna Georgia: The white paper summarizes its
findings. The panel was co-chaired by Dick Summers,
Westinghouse; David Schucker, TRW; Karen Lewis, Planning Research
Corp. and Major Eric Ross, HQAFSC/PLX. The panel's report
presents a "straw man" defining CALS requirements, goals,
implementation and specific cost benefits to both industry and
government. Separate service and DLA plans already exist and
planning continues at the Department of Transportation's
Transportation Research Center in Cambridge, MA.
-----
SME/CASA Offers support for Product Definition Activities
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)/Computer and Automated
Systems
Associated (CASA) is providing support to the CALS activities in ways
unique
to its manufacturing background. The recent SME meeting on Product/Process
Definition Data Implementation was the first of its kind. It including
speakers, 57 people participated (17 Speakers) from over 40 organizations
(Govt, contractors, academia, consultants, and vendors). It was organized
by
the CASA Product Definition Subcommittee of the CASA Technical Council,
chaired by Rob Carringer.
------
INFOLAB Announces New Tool For NIAM Conceptual Modeling
The INFOLAB at Tilburg University has announced the Reference and Idea
Language (RIDL). RIDL was designed to manipulate and define information
structure and contents of the NIAM conceptual modeling methodology
of Dr. G.M.
Nijssen. The NIAM methodology (Nijssen Information Analysis Methodology)
is
widely used by the Product Data Exchange Standard (PDES) community
to define
product data. The RIDL is a "natural" language containing an extensive
set of
statements and commands allowing full control over the information
flow
between the Conceptual Information Model and the user.
------
Control Data Introduces First NIAM - IDEF1x Software Bridge
Control Data Corporation has announced a new micro-based software product
that
provides the first direct link between Control Data's NIAM information
modeling technique and the U.S. Air Force's IDEF1x information modeling
standard.
-------
IDEF Modeling Techniques Supported for International Use
Dan Appleton Company (DACOM) has announced international support for
their
IDEF/LEVERAGE products. The Air Force developed IDEF0 and IDEF1X modeling
technology for business activity and data modeling. DACOM's IDEF/LEVERAGE
products are commercial versions of these techniques. Government funded
technology is usually restricted to domestic use for a certain period
of time.
The government released IDEF0 and IDEF1X for international use in 1985.
DACOM
also will offer training programs to aid manufacturers in installing
and using
these methodologies.
-------
XYVISION Announces Agreement With SOBEMAP For SGML Parser
Xyvision, Inc. has announced an agreement with SOBMAP of Brussels, Belgium,
for the licensing of the SOBEMAP Mark-It SGML Parser Translator. The
SGML
parser will be incorporated into Xyvision's CALS Document Exchange
product.
----
CALS Calendar
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 5, August 1988
DoD could make GOSIP manditory by 1990:
The Department of Defense policy directive requires Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) two years after publication of the GOSIP FIPS
standard.
The GOSIP FIPS standard is widely expected to follows the June, 1988
release
of the NBS GOSIP document almost immediately. That puts the transition
to
GOSIP at mid or late 1990. Although the CALS Communication Subcommittee
has
selected OSI, today's CALS implementor can use either OSI or TCP/IP.
-----
NBS Proposes Federal Standard for OSI
NBS is asking for comments on a proposed Federal Information Processing
Standard (FIPS) which adopts the Government Open Systems Interconnection
Profile (GOSIP). FIPS are developed by NBS for use by the federal government.
GOSIP has had two rounds of comments in the last year. Version 1.0
of GOSIP is
expected to be issued as a FIPS standard this summer. DoD has identified
GOSIP
as a co-standard with TCP/IP, used in the Defense Data Network (DDN).
NATO
allies are more focussed on GOSIP, viewing TCP/IP as a "US" standard.
------
U.S. Air Force/Industry Coalition Demonstrates OSI Integration
The U.S. Air Force led an industry coalition in a successfule demonstration
of
Open systems Interconnection (OSI) at the SME Enterprise '88 Event
in
Baltimore. The demonstration used the show's Manufacturing Automation
Protocol
(MAP) and Technical and Office Protocols (TOP) to simulate Air Force
weapon
systems production coordination among prime contractors and subcontractors
for
design, production and logistics support.
-----
CALS Information Integration Group to Develop CALS Data Dictionary Structure
Carol Tierney of General Dynamics/Land Systems and Chairman of the CALS
Information Integration Working Group outlined plans for her subcommittee
to
develop a CALS data dictionary structure. "We will try to define at
least the
major structure of CALS data." A completed data dictionary usable by
all
contractors is seen as vital to CALS implementation.
----
CGM Expert development needed for CGM CALS profile
Lofton Henderson, President, Henderson Software, outlined the development
work
being done to produce a CALS profile for Computer Graphic Metafile
(CGM). CGM
is a vector and format preserving excange format for pictures and
illustrations. It lacks the semantic detail of IGES and other product
definition formats, but permits editing, refonting, scaling and other
revisions. "CGM specifices complete syntax but has incomplete semantics,"
said
Henderson, "It could define multiple correct pictures of single CAD
DB." It is
gaining wide acceptance as a low-level drawing transfer format.
-------
Pechersky Sees Positive ROI for CALS Volunteers
The CALS Report has interview Paul N. Pechersky, Corporate Director
of
Management Information Systems at E-Systems, and co-chairs the Digital
Information Interchange Working Group of the CALS Industry Steering
Group.
Paul was interviewed at the completion of a series of task working
group
committee meetings at the National Bureau of Standards in mid June,
1988.
-------
CALS Industry Steering Group
--------
GCA Shaping SGML Development, Validation
Graphic Communications Association (GCA) is an association of diverse
firms in
the graphic communications industry which facilitates the adoption
and
management of new technologies for mutual benefit. The GCA GENCODE
committee
was formed to solve the problem of transferring text from one publishing
system to another. CGA GENCODE Committee was responsible for SGML about
12
years ago. The committee's work was assummed by the ASNI X3V1.8 committee
(SGML), who developed the standard. Accepted by ISO in October of 1986,
SGML
is still a major focus for GCA, which provides SGML development, tutorials
and
co-sponsored events.
------
MRSA to Simplify LSAR for CALS Integration
The CALS Report has learned that the US Army AMC/Materiel Readiness
Support
Activity (MRSA) is planning a major revision to the structure of Logistics
Support Analysis Record (LSAR) data. MRSA is the DoD organization which
supports the Joint Services LSAR ADP software. The LSAR master file
format
defined in MIL-STD-1388-2A is the standard format for LSA data delivery
in DoD
contracts.
-------
MRSA Lists 39 Validated LSAR ADP Systems
The US Army AMC/Materiel Readiness Support Activity (MRSA) now lists
39
validated LSAR ADP systems. MRSA validates, but does not certify LSAR
software. Validation confirms that software produces correct outputs
from test
inputs, certification implies that internal algorithms are correct.
MRSA
validation is required to use a particular LSAR software product on
a DoD
contract.
----
CALS Calendar
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 6, September 1988
Deputy Secretary of Defense Taft Signs Memo Implementing CALS
William H. Taft, IV, Deputy Secretary of Defense, has signed a memorandum
implementing CALS in plans for new weapon systems and related major
equipment
items. The memorandum was addressed to the Secretaries of the military
departments and the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency. The memo,
which
was expected last April, was intensively reviewed throughout DoD and
relevant
agencies of the Federal Government, causing delay. A full copy of the
memo is
enclosed in this issue.
-----
Navy Secretary Ball Calls RAMP Technology "Revolutionary"
Secretary of the Navy William L. Ball, III, termed the Rapid Acquisition
of
Manufactured Parts (RAMP) program "a revolution" in manufacturing technology.
Secretary Ball made his comments at the Dedication of the RAMP facility
in N.
Charleston, SC in July. The RAMP program will build the first Computer-
Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) facility which uses PDES data to direct
manufacturing steps. Unlike most CIM cells, the electrical or mechanical
parts
can be general in nature, rather than belonging to a narrow family
of similar
designs.
-----
SCRA to Host PDES, Inc. Project
The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) has been officially selected
as
the host contractor for the PDES, Inc. R&D project. The objectives
of PDES,
Inc. are to develop validated specifications (information models) and
verification and validation software for the communication of digital
product
definition within a heterogeneous computing system environment. The
PDES, Inc.
project will accelerate the work on PDES by developing parsers and
applications: Software will be shared by stockholders while application
information models will be submitted to the IGES/PDES project for
consideration as standards.
------
PDES Ad Hoc Group Frustrated in Correlation of Information Modeling Methods
An ad hoc committee formed within the PDES Logical Layer Committee,
to study
practices which could improve translation of one PDES data model format
into
another was terminated after only one session. The committee felt that
the
investment of resources was greater than they could commit to on an
ad hoc
basis. PDES information models are expected to play a significant role
in CALS
data base definition and queries. PDES formats, standards, and techniques
are
expected to replace IGES for product model data delivery.
----------
Interview: Adams Sees New Industry Supporting CALS Compliance
Charles R. Adams is President of West Coast Information Systems, Inc.
of
Walnut Creek, CA. WESCO is the firm writing MIL-R-RASTER and is also
under
contract to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories to develop the
platform
for CALS RASTER testing.
-------
European CALS Meeting a Success
Delegates gathered in Frankfurt, West Germany in June to review CALS
standards
and requirements and their impact on NATO government forces and defense
establishments. The Conference was sponsored by Battelle's European
operation
headed by Bodo Rudiger.
-------
Multi-Association Task Group Asks Emphasis on R&M Contract Requirements
The Multi-Association (AIA, EIA, NSIA) Task Group on IR&D/B&P
has asked the
CALS Integration Task Group for more emphasis on Logistic Requirements
in
procurement contracts and new categories of IR&D. The recommendation
came in
response to a call by the CALS R&M Summer Study on Complex Electronics
for
more IR&D attention to R&M/CAD issues. The report of the CALS
R&M Summer Study
on Complex Electronics "Integration of R&M Into The Automated Design
Process"
was circulated to the appropriate committees of EIA and to the Multi-
Association Task Group on IR&D/B&P. The two groups bristled
at DoD
interference with "independent" R&D, a continuing sore point with
government
contractors, and with DoD intrusion into methodology. The recommendation
for a
contract requirement, arms-length approach contrasts with the directing
and
guiding nature of the CALS integration strategy.
------
STS Awarded FEDLINK/Army Contract for Automatic CALS SGML Markup
STS Information Systems, Inc. has been awarded a $600,000 task order
contract
by the Army Publishing and Printing Agency in support of the 400-S
program.
This is the first Computer-aided Acquisition and Logistics Support
(CALS)
compliant contract that will demonstrate the flexibility of the CALS
standards
for a non-weapon system.
------
Apollo Forms CALS Solution Group
Apollo Computer, Inc. has announced formation of a CALS Solution Group
at the
TechDoc Twelve Conference in San Diego. A seminar coinciding with the
meeting
outlined how the group is combining resources to meet CALS requirements.
A
second seminar will be held at the time of the NBS EXPO in October.
A
November seminar is being planned for the Boston area.
--------------------
IDEEL Targets DoD RAMCAD/CALS Initiatives
Automated Images demonstrated the integration of design engineering
and
predictive analysis processes with its IDEEL product line targeting
the
Department of Defense (DoD) CALS and RAMCAD initiatives. The goal of
CALS is
to automate logistics support processes and shorten the length of the
defense
systems development cycle.
------
First CGM Test Suite Available for CGM Standard
CGM Technology Software has announced availability of the first test
suite for
users and implementers of CGM interpreters software. CGM Technology
Software
is a joint venture of Peter R. Bono Associates, Inc., and Henderson
Software.
The CGM Test Set Volume 1 (TM) is designed for use by software developers
to
test their ability to correctly interpret and display picture files
conforming
to the ANSI Standard Graphics Metafile (ANSI/X3.122; ISO 8632).
-------
TOP Spec Supports CALS Product Data Exchange with IGES Application Profile
MAP/TOP Users Group has recently released Revision 3.0 to the Technical
and
Office Protocol (TOP) Specification to support CALS Product Data Exchange
(PDE) using the IGES Application Profile. The TOP Product Data Exchange
Subcommittee made the changes to the TOP spec to be aligned with the
CALS
requirements of MIL-M-28000 and to extend PDE capabilities for international
use. The changes included increased functionality and IGES subsets.
-------
CALS/ISG Acquisition Task Group Formed Under H. J. Coreale of McDonnell Douglas
Mr. Correale recently accepted chairmanship of the CALS Industry Steering
Group Acquisition Committee which consists of the following working
groups:
Contract Definition, CALS Benefits, Industry Survey and Contract Methodology.
At the present time, Dick Richards is heading up the CALS Benefits
working
group activities and Dick Summers has conducted a survey of CALS capabilities.
-------
Order Government Specifications & Standards by Phone
Emergency requests for specifications and standards may now be ordered
through
Navy's new automated Telephone Order Entry System (TOES). This
service allows
you to place an order or follow-up on a previously placed order directly
into
the Navy Print On Demand System (NPODS).
------
EDITORIAL: Readiness and the CALS Information Architecture
----
CALS Calendar
----
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 7, October 1988
------
Costello Identifies Strong Industrial Base as Deterrent
In an important report and keynote address on the subject, Under Secretary
of
Defense (Acquisition) Robert Costello has identified the need for a
strong US
industrial base as a clear deterrent to war and failing that, essential
in
fighting it. The report, entitled, "Bolstering Defense Industrial
Competitiveness," lists 15 recommendations, some of which are already
being
implemented. The recommendations and progress were reiterated in a
keynote
address at the American Defense Preparedness Association Conference
on North
American Defense Industrial Strategy. Industry preparations to be CALS-
compliant in data deliverables and R&M/CAD concurrent engineering
are viewed
as one component of an overall strategy of strengthening industry's
quality,
efficiency, and mobilization capabilities. Said Costello, "The defense
industry is a benefit to a peacetime economy ...<rather than>...a
drain on the
economy."
------
Defense Industrial Network Using CALS-type Data
The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) has developed Defense Industrial
Network (DINET),a system which permits mutual impact studies of design
choices
and the supplying industrial base. Danal H. Dennison, Program Manager,
explained that DINET uses the parts breakdown of a weapon system and
ties it
to another contractor/subcontractor breakdown to assess the capability
of the
US industrial base to supply vital parts and materiel during various
scenarios. The system was demonstrated at the American Defense Preparedness
Association (ADPA) 1988 Conference on Defense Industrial Strategy.
-----
CALS Task Group Reviews Industry Comments on CALS Standards
CALS Industry Standards Working Group has reviewed extensive industry
comments
on the CALS Standards currently released for public review. These standards
are:
MIL-STD-1840A, Change Notice 1
MIL-D-28000, Amendment 1
MIL-HDBK-CALS (draft)
MIL-D-CGM (draft)
MIL-R-RASTER (draft)
TRIF 2.X (draft)
Over 27 companies and professional organizations returned comments on
the
standards. The two-day review was chaired by George F. Jenkins of Vitro
Corporation.
------
An Analysis: SGML and ODA/ODIF Impact CALS Standards Unevenly
The only controversy which arose out of the industry task group review
of the
CALS standards is the apparent collision between the ISO 8879 Standard
Generalized Markup Language (SGML) representation of documents required
in
MIL-D-28001 and ISO 8613, Office Document Architecture (ODA) representation
implicit in MIL-R-RASTER and TRIF. Because of these differences in
approach,
it seems that SGML and ODA will influence CALS standards unevenly and
perhaps
in contradiction.
-------
CALS Security Task Group Sees Existing Security Methods OK for Phase I
The CALS Security Task Group has reported to the CALS Industry Steering
Group
that Phase I CALS standards require no modifications to impose levels
of
security typically found in current practice. This level of security
requires
a total document be secure, if any diagram, component, paragraph, or
other
entity in the document is secure. The task group sees more complex
security
requirements, and thus, changes to CALS standards, arising when CALS
Phase II
integration and access is required.
-------
SRI Security Expert Says Some CALS Access Could Compromise Secure Data Bases
Dr. Matthew Morgenstern of Standford Research Institute told the CALS
Security
Task Group that some types of data base access could compromise security,
even
if queries were restricted to unclassified data. Dr. Morgenstern made
his
comments during and following a briefing on Security problems related
to data
inference and aggregation for the CALS Security Task Group. Morgenstern
said
that an intruder could use his knowledge of data relationships in the
data
base application to reconstruct or "infer" the missing data. DoD has
been
worried that data which is unclassified in small pieces might need
more
security if aggregated together. Inference of missing data adds a new
dimension to the security problem.
------
TECHDOC 12 Dominated by CALS MIL-M-28001 SGML Standard
TECHDOC 12, the Graphic Communications Association (GCA) annual review
of
technical publishing technology, was dominated by the growing interest
in CALS
and its use of SGML in MIL-D-28000. CGA is a long supporter of the
SGML ISO
standard. TECHDOC has become a forum for using SGML in tech pubs.
------
Navy Discloses Successful Automatic SMGL Markup Demonstration
The US Navy has successfully demonstrated automatic SMGL markup using
existing
commercial hardware and software. The demonstration results were reported
at
TECHDOC 12 in San Diego. The demonstration may be the first automatic
SGML
markup of a DoD manual starting with the paper document.
-----
EIS Project Develops Object Oriented Data Exchange Language
The Air Force Engineering Information System (EIS) has developed an
Object
Oriented Data Language (OODL) for encoding engineering design information
for
data exchange. Although OODL is initially used for transfer of electrical
information, it is general and can be used in any discipline. EIS is
a CALS
project expected to contribute new standards for data exchange and
CAE
software integration.
------
MIL STD 454 to Require VHDL for Application-Specific Micro-Electronics
The forthcoming, MIL STD 454 will Require VLSI Hardware Definition Language
(VHDL) for Application-Specific Micro-Electronics. Requirement 64 of
that
standards requires the delivery of a functional description of application-
specific mirco-electronics encoded in VHDL for delivery to DoD. MIL
STD 454
covers all electronic hardware: Requirement 64 covers micro-electronics.
MIL-
STD-454 is scheduled to be effective 20 September, 1988 and is currently
being
published.
------
GOSIP Approved as New FIPS Standard
The Secretary of Commerce has approved a new standard, which is being
published as FIPS PUB 146, Government Opens Systems Interconnection
Profile
(GOSIP). This new standard supersedes FIP PUB 98, which is withdrawn
from the
FIPS series. Federal Information Processing Standards Publications
(FIP PUBS)
are issued by the National Bureau of Standards after approval by the
Secretary
of Commerce. This step is important because DoD is committed to use
GOSIP two
years after its publication as a FIPS standard (see CALS Report, August,
1988).
---------
European Consortium Plans Secure CALS Network
A Consortium of European defense contractors, vendors, and universities
is
planning a long-term development program for a European Integrated
Information
Services System (EIISS) for European Secure Computer-aided Acquisition
and
Logistics Support (ESCALS). According to Consortium Co-ordinator, John
Beer of
Sydney Communications Ltd., EIISS ESCALS development will begin with
a sub-
system Pilot Demonstrator Project as part of a European Community Information
Service (PDP.ECIS).
------
PDES Logistics Definition Committee nears completion of Planning Model
The PDES Logistics Definition Committee is close to completion of a
high level
IDEF planning model of product logistics information. IDEF Planning
models
begin with enterprise functions (IDEF0 model) and develop a corresponding
information structure and content (IDEF1x model). The IDEF0 model identifies
Input, Control, Output, and Mechanism (ICOM) information and processes,
IDEF1x
defines the information structures. Information items identified in
one model
are then refined in another and vice versa. In this way, the planning
model
evolves into an accurate information model within a given discipline.
------
GE and Context present LSAR Report/Tech Pub Integration at TECHDOC 12
At the recent San Diego TECHDOC 12 show, Ron Harlow from GE Huntsville
and
Bruce A. Foster of Context presented their implementation of a CALS
compatible
Electronic Technical Publishing (ETP) system. The system was
integrated with
the Logistic Support Analysis Record (LSAR) data base summary reports.
It
represents one method of integrating commercial technical publication
system
with the output of LSA activities.
----
XEROX TO Acquire Crowntek/CCA Unit Specializing in Database Software
Xerox Corporation and Crowntek announced the signing of a definitive
agreement
by which Xerox would acquire a Crowntek unit that specializes in the
research
and development of database software systems. The unit is the Advanced
Information Technology Division (AITD) of Crowntek's subsidiary, Computer
Corporation of America (CCA). Financial terms of the agreement
were not
disclosed. Xerox said it expects to complete the acquisition
in the third
quarter. The acquisition seems to indicate a Xerox strategy of supporting
more
intelligent and integrated documents of the type envisioned for CALS.
-------
Five Unisys UNIX OS-Based Microcomputers Qualify for First-Day X/OPEN Compliance
First-day X/Open brand compliance for Unisys U 5000 Series and U 6000
Series
UNIX OS-based super microcomputers was announced by Jerry L Peterson,
vice
president of Unisys Entry Level and Department Systems.
----
CALS Calendar
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 8, November 1988
Katzen: Costello and I will be looking for CALS Compliance
Jack Katzen, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Production and Logistics),
OASD,
promised the personal interest of Robert B. Costello, Undersecretary
of
Defense (Acquisition) in CALS compliance, particularly in data sharing
and
integration, and concurrent engineering. Concurrent engineering predicts
the
demand for logistic resources of a design concurrently with its physical
performance. Data sharing between integrated software tools is seen
as vital
to making such performance predictions concurrent.
-----
Concurrent Engineering Dominates CALS EXPO '88 Technical Discussion
The Phase II emphasis on shared data and concurrent engineering dominated
the
technical program at the sellout CALS EXPO '88. Phase I of CALS emphasized
standards for data exchange and delivery. The standards are now viewed
as
enabling technologies, permitting Phase II efforts to proceed.
------
Consensus: Today's Commercial IGES Software Not Compliant With CALS
Several respected industry and government presenters at the CALS EXPO
indicated that commercial IGES translators lack features needed for
full
compliance with CALS MIL-D-28000 IGES subsets. The remarks were made
by
several who spoke from direct project experience with IGES, in sharp
contrast
to many positive endorsements by other speakers.
------
Sellout CALS EXPO '88 Pleases DoD, Vendors, and Attendees
Enthusiasm was evident at the sellout CALS EXPO '88. The CALS EXPO '88
was
held in Gathersburg, MD and hosted by National Institute of Standards
and
Technology (NIST), formerly NBS. The program was three days of presentations
and briefings, running simultaneously with demonstrations of service
efforts
and commercial products in a separate exhibit.
-------
NIST Establishes National PDES Testbed
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Defense
Department's Computer-Aided Acquisition and Logistic Support (CALS)
Office
announced that NIST will develop a National PDES Testbed facility.
The
facility will test implementations of the Product Data Exchange Specification
(PDES) and is expected to speed the development and use of PDES in
computer-
integrated design, manufacturing, and logistics processes. PDES is
under
development by a diverse group of government agencies, academic researchers,
private companies, and an industry-funded cooperative called PDES,
Inc. Many
PDES experts have noted the need for uniform testing of results from
all
groups. The announcement was made at the 1988 CALS EXPO.
-------
CALS International Task Group Formed
The CALS Industry Steering has formed an International Task Group to
facilitate international cooperation on CALS issues. The task group
recognizes
that US requirements for defense purposes must be coordinated on an
international basis.
-------
CALS Small Business Committee Formed
A small business committee has been formed by the CALS Industry Steering
Group
to assess the impact of CALS concepts and standards on their products
and
business practices. The committee is a response to industry and DoD
concerns
that CALS implementation may adversely effect small business, unless
proper
safeguards are put in place.
-------
NIST Preparing Draft FIPS for MIL-M-38784 Compliant ODA Profile
A profile for Office Document Architecture (ODA) has been drafted for
use as a
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) by National Institute
for
Standards and Technology (NIST). The profile will comply with MIL-M-38784,
which details to layout and appearance of military technical manuals.
The CALS
standard MIL-M-28001 Appendix C (Output Specification or OS) is also
designed
to comply with the same standard. In some organizations (e.g. CCITT),
Office
Document Architecture is called Open Document Architecture.
-------
ANSI Committee to Harmonize Electronic Product Definition Standards
With help from the Electronic Industry Association (EIA) the American
National
Standards Institute (ANSI) has established an ad hoc committee to consider
the
need for harmonization of electronic product definition standards.
At the
first meeting in May, it was agreed to establish a limited scope, as
hoc
committee to address the overlapping electronic product definition
standards
problem, to identify those problems and to develop a recommended plan
for
harmonization. The ANSI committee will coordinate with ongoing CALS
efforts in
the same area.
------
Air Force/Industry Coalition Demonstrates IISS at CALS EXPO '88
The Air Force/Industry Coalition used their IISS research system to
demonstrate the integrated use of commercial CAD/CAM/CAE tools on distributed,
heterogeneous hardware, software and product data. The Air force is
participating in CALS from both a user of the technology and as an
accelerating force for the implementation of the CALS standards. The
Air
Force/Industry Coalition demonstrates the integration of design,
manufacturing, and logistics support systems. Although patterned after
the
demonstration at Enterprise '88 (see CALS Report, August, 1988, p 4)
it
stressed CALS, rather than OSI standards. The end-to-end demonstration
was a
snapshot of the status of current technology for CALS' current and
future
standards.
-----
Air Force On-Line Information System to Buy CALS Compliant ADP Systems
The Air Force On-Line Information System (OLIS) will promote the
commercialization of CALS compliant hardware and software by direct
buying of
commercially available products. Selected R&D tasks will be used
to fill any
gaps in technology. OLIS will complete the spinoff of certain Air Force
CALS-
related development programs and incorporate other interoperability
standards.
--------
Congress Told CALS Will Improve Industrial Base Response
DoD foresees benefits through improved responsiveness of the industrial
base
by development of integrated design and manufacturing capabilities,
and by
industry networks to build and support weapon systems based on digital
product
descriptions. DoD made their comments in their annual report to congress
on
Computer-aided Acquisition and Logistic Support (CALS). According
to the
report, implementation of CALS is already leading to a major impact
on the way
DoD and Industry conduct business.
------
CALS Oversight Scope, Budget Changed for FY 1989
The scope of CALS steering group oversight was changed for FY 1989 in
several
ways. A number of projects related to line maintenance and procurement
were
lost, while all work on concurrent engineering were gained. The change
in
scope resulted in a smaller budget attributed directly to CALS.
------
McDonnell Aircraft, XYVision to Test MIL-STD-1840A with Air Force/CTN
McDonnell and Xyvision, Inc., announced at the CALS EXPO '88 that they
will
transmit a large technical manual to the Air Force with evaluation
by the CALS
Test Network (CTN). The test is one of the first commitments to CTN
testing,
and is distinguished by the size and complexity of the document to
be tested.
Test results are scheduled for release in the first quarter of 1989.
----
IRDS Guide Published
An application guide to the use of the Information Resource Dictionary
System
(IRDS) has been announced by NIST. The guide, NBS Spec. Pub. 500-152,
"Guide
to Information Resource Dictionary System Applications: General Concepts
and
Strategic Systems Planning". The guide explains how an Information
Resource
Dictionary (IRD) can be used to support information management activities
throughout the life cycle of a system.
-----
Errata
----
CALS Calendar
CALS Report Vol. 1 No. 9, December 1988
PDES Logistics Application Model to Implement Full MIL-STD-1388
According to Rick Bshara, Chairman of the PDES Logistics Subcommittee,
the
final PDES Logistics application model should contain the data and
relationships now in MIL-STD-1388 2A. Bshara was questioned at the
recent
IGES/PDES meeting at W. Palm Beach, FL. As reported earlier, the PDES
Logistics Committee was completing a high-level planning model at that
meeting. The completed high level planning model is available for public
comment.
------
IGES/PDES Approves PDES Document for Review
The Edit Committee of the IGES/PDES project approved a PDES/STEP document
for
consideration by the International Standards Organization (ISO) at
its
upcoming meeting in Tokyo. ISO consideration and adoption is consideration
important for CALS because DoD prefers to adopt international standards.
ISO
adoption of the document as a total approach is hoped for. PDES development
in
the US will continue and may be published as a separate ANSI standard.
-----
IGES Test Suite Ready for Beta Testing
The IGES/PDES Testing Committee has finished work on a suite of technical
documents. The suite was readied at the recent IGES/PDES meeting at
W. Palm
Beach, FL. The completion of the test protocol is important to uniform
testing
of IGES translators and eventual certification of testing laboratories.
------
IGES/PDES Project Creates Dictionary Committee
The IGES/PDES Project has created a Dictionary Ad Hoc Committee to control
the
terms and documentation used in PDES. The committee, chaired by Joan
Tyler of
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) began work with
a two
day workshop in September.
-------
MIL-M-28001 Review Recommends Registry of Service-Unique Applications
The Industry Steering Group Standards Working Group has recommended
registry
of Service-Unique applications of MIL-M-28001. The move came in response
to
comments on MIL-M-28001 by NAVSEA. If included in the final version,
it would
be a major tightening of the value of MIL-M-28001 for contractual use.
------
MIL-M-28001 Output Specification Completion Restrained in Wait for DSSSL
The objectives set for Appendix B (old Appendix C) Output Specification
may be
loosened in hopes that the ISO standard, Document Style, Semantics,
and
Specification Language (DSSSL) will be finalized. The Output Spec (OS)
was the
original reason that MIL-M-28001 was delayed in its release. The OS
will now
be an English language commentary that is optional to the user. The
OS will
be a machine-readable tags but will not be a fully validated tag set.
The
decision was made during recent task group reviews of industry and
government
comments.
-------
Battelle, Advanced Technology, SAIC named NIST CALS Contractors.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded
CALS
master multiple contracts to three firms:
Battelle Memorial Institute
Advanced Technology
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
The three firms will bid competitively as NIST CALS Contractors on various
CALS tasks during the year.
------
Mechanical R&M Study Group Report Close to Completion
The R&M Mechanical Study Group (RMMSG) is nearing completion of
its study
report. Mechanical Reliability and Maintainability considerations differ
from
those of electronic systems because electronic systems consist of
standardized, off-the-shelf components that have relatively predictable
and
independent failure rates. Hence, the report will differ from the preceding
complex electronics study completed earlier.
----
SQL Test Package Available From NIST
A package of tests to help users and vendors determine compliance with
a new
Federal Information Processing Standard Publication (FIPSPUB) 127 for
the
Database Language SQL is available for purchase from NBS. SQL
is a voluntary
industry standard language used to develop database management system
applications. FIPSPUB 127 requires federal agencies to implement
SQL in
relational database management system applications acquired or developed
after
August 3, 1988. The test suite will help both users and vendors
meet the
standard. Database management systems can save time and money
by making data,
application programs, and trained users "portable" from one system
to another.
The NBS test package includes six types of tests in three programming
languages -- C, FORTRAN, and COBOL.
-------
Meadlock Favors Any Standard Imposed on All Vendors Equally
James Meadlock, President and Chairman of the Board, Intergraph Corporation,
said that he would agree to any single data exchange standard as long
as all
vendors were required to use it. Meadlock made his comments at Autofact
'88 in
Chicago. The position endorsing IGES or any other universal standard
comes
from a company which so dominated certain application areas that its
own
proprietary format, Standard Interchange Format (SIF), still serves
as the de
facto data exchange format for those disciplines. "We've accepted the
fact
that many of our customers want IGES translators," said Meadlock, "and
we
satisfy their needs."
------
Murrin Says Concurrent Engineering a "Direct Answer" to Foreign Competition
Prof. Tom Murrin, Chairman of DoD's new Defense Manufacturing Board,
called
concurrent engineering a "direct answer" to the threat of foreign competition.
Murrin made his comments in a plenary session speech at Autofact '88
in
Chicago. One of the major new initiatives in DoD is concurrent engineering,
which is part of CALS Phase II.
-----
SME Plans to Develop Manufacturing Engineers as Integrators, not Specialists
As a result of a broad study of their profession, the Society of Manufacturing
Engineers (SME) will refocus the image and career of manufacturing
engineers
to be general integrators of manufacturing, design, and management
systems.
The report, entitled Profile 21, was released at the SME Autofact '88
in
Chicago. SME commissioned the study to define the future direction
of the
profession. The new direction is of interest, because it reflects a
growing
industrial interest in concurrent engineering which would integrate
design,
manufacturing and other discipline analyses.
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AIA Panel to Assess CALS Impact on MIS
An Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) panel has been formed to assess
the
impact of CALS access on the traditional Management Information Systems
(MIS)
function. The panel was formed as part of the Digital Information Subcommittee
of the Information Technology Committee (ITC). The subcommittee is
chaired by
Paul Pechersky, who also chairs the CALS Digital Information Interchange
Subcommittee. The panel is chaired by Mr. Jan Heise, of Harris Corporation.
The ITC is composed of the Chief Information Officers of AIA Member
Companies.
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AutoFact '88 Session Highlights CALS Benefits to All Manufacturers
The appeal of CALS is broader than defense weapon systems, concluded
a panel
at Autofact '88. Autofact '88 is considered the premier conference
and
exhibition for Manufacturing automation technology. Ivan J. Blum, VP
of D.
Appleton Co., chaired the session, attended by over 150 manufacturing
professionals.
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Deere Tech Services to be Systems Integrator for AutoFact '89 Exhibit
SME has selected Deere Tech Services to be the systems integrator in
the
"Partnership for Integration" exhibit to debut at AutoFact '89 in Detroit.
The
partnership for integration exhibit team will coordinate 20 or more
industry
suppliers of computer communication, factory automation, software and
related
services to build an 8000 sq. ft., working, state-of-the-art CIM facility.
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Big 8 Accounting Firms Review CALS Incentives
In a special briefing following Autofact '88 in Chicago, the Big 8 accounting
firms reviewed the CALS objectives and strategies. The Big 8 accounting
firms
have both accounting, tax and management consulting expertise. They
provide
these services to both government and industry. Ivan J. Blum, VP of
D.
Appleton Co., organized and chaired the meeting, entitled, "CALS Benefits
Strategy & Implementation Conference."
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COS and SPAG Announce Cooperative Agreement on OSI Testing
Brussels, Belgium - September 15, 1988 - In a display of trans-Atlantic
harmony, the US based Corporation for Open Systems (COS) International
and the
European based Standards Promotion and Application Group (SPAG) Services
SA
met today in a first ever joint Board of Directors meeting. At a press
briefing after the meeting, COS and SPAG announced actions designed
to
accelerate the introduction of OSI-MAP/TOP 3.0 products worldwide.
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ASYST Technologies Introduces Relationally-Based Central Repository
ASYST Technologies has introduced THE INTEGRATER tm Central Repository
Facility, the first relationally-based repository that provides instant
access
and sharing of all systems development specifications for the entire
data
processing department. The central repository concept selects software
from a
single collection through its specification. A central repository makes
software more accessible and reusable and is helpful to computer-aided
software engineering (CASE) methodologies. CASE technology is often
viewed as
an alternative approach to conceptual information modeling for systems
engineering, though its application has been primarily software.
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Editorial: CALS Phase 1 is a Fait Accompli
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Letters to the Editor
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Standards Ordering Points
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CALS Calendar