ADOPTING STEP FOR IN-SERVICE CONFIGURATION CONTROL

This paper shows the potential of STEP,(1) as it is today, to represen t product data to support a range of engineering requirements. STEP is designed to enable data exchange between computer applications used t hroughout the product life cycle. The resulting architecture of STEP, and the methodology to produce the exchange data models, are explained briefly. The exchange data models of STEP are documented in Applicati on Protocols. Emphasis in this paper is on the Integrated Resources, t he conceptual data models from which all of the STEP exchange models a re derived. These resources are not well understood and hence their va lue is not widely appreciated. A case study for the MoD(N) concerning information support for the in-service configuration (logistics suppor t) of naval equipment allowed the authors to use the Integrated Resour ces and hence demonstrate the potential of STEP. The data model which was produced is presented in this paper. It met the requirements of th e MoD(N) and was simple and flexible. The authors conclude that this w ork confirms the feasibility of a STEP-based approach to the developme nt of information systems to support in-service configuration control. More importantly, it demonstrates the unexploited value of the produc t data framework and the detailed data models already in STEP which ar e used in an area not yet covered by any STEP Application Protocols.