Spare parts management at complex technology-based organizations: An agenda for research

This paper explores the applicability of sophisticated models and technique s for spare parts inventory management within a highly technology-driven en vironment, viz. the Royal Netherlands Navy. In particular, we discuss the s tructure of the so-called VARI-METRIC models, a set of tools that has been designed for decision support in spare parts management, initially in a mil itary organization. These tools aim at a high availability of complete tech nical systems, as opposed to more classical inventory management approaches , that are primarily directed towards a high availability of individual ite ms. Unfortunately, the VARI-METRIC models suffer from a series of limiting assumptions that are not satisfied in most technology-based large organizat ions. We identify these shortcomings and suggest a research agenda to deal with these issues. Important extensions include the study of capacitated sy stems, and the study of hybrid product structures, consisting of both repai rable and consumable parts. When consumption and condemnation occur (i.e. n ot every broken part can be repaired), the operational availability of syst ems during their exploitation period becomes a function of the allocated re supply budgets. This highly important field, relating issues such as mainte nance policies, spare parts repair and resupply, to concepts of life cycle management, seems unexplored so far. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.