Ustranscom press release (Aug. 5, 2005): AMC and DLA establish new information interface to improve distribution processes.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Mobility Command and Defense Logistics Agency have launched an information technology solution that will help provide earlier visibility of inbound cargo destined for troops overseas. The new interface will improve information flow between DLA's Consolidation and Containerization Points (CCPs) information system and the one used at Air Force aerial ports.

The new solution allows information in DLA's Distribution Standard System (DSS) to interface with the Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES), improving the information flow between CCPs and aerial ports of embarkation (APOEs).

DLA and AMC are working to optimize the delivery of equipment and supplies through an initiative facilitated by the U.S. Transportation Command in its role as the DoD's Distribution Process Owner (DPO). The AMC-Defense Distribution Center (DDC) Air Cargo Consolidation Integrated Process Team (IPT) was formed to reengineer processes that have a positive effect on customer wait time, item availability, velocity, and demand on strategic transportation assets to benefit deployed forces.

An increasing number of DoD air shipments are consolidated and loaded on an air pallet (termed a 463L pallet). When the 463L pallet is ready for onward movement, it is considered capped and receives a Status Code "C." This new interface then allows the capped cargo to be almost immediately visible to GATES users at the aerial ports. This alerts the airmen at the APOE giving them greater visibility as well as the estimated time of arrival.

The CCP will send two additional updates through DSS to GATES: the first, when the truck destined for the aerial port is completely loaded, and a second when the truck actually departs the CCP facility.

The interface makes information available to everyone from the Air Clearance Authority to the load planner and speeds the process for aerial port cargo handlers as well as those responsible for planning the airlift missions.

Now planners here at the Tanker Airlift Control Center can see the amount of cargo inbound to the various APOEs and adjust airflow to gain efficiency and effectiveness. The airmen at the APOEs gain efficiencies because they do not have to upload data into the GATES terminals, and load planners are able to enter the planning cycle earlier.

This information interface between DSS and GATES is one of many initiatives aimed at improving the distribution system to deployed warfighters.