Scalability and Reusability Methods for Intelligent Tutors and Job Performance Aids for the Maintenance of Reduced Manning Ships

The technical objective of our Phase II effort is to more fully research and create the architecture of a repair and maintenance job performance capability and to build a prototype based on an actual system or sub-system. The final prototype will be betatested with representative end users and relevant content. Beyond the beta test, our Phase II work will also identify similar systems, missions, scenarios, training needs and functions that the job performance system will support.Beacon Interactive Systems' prototype will be a collaborative web services platform that seamlessly offers the end user access to information when, where and in what format is needed. It will be based on a web front end utilizing java and specifymiddleware and backend components utilizing technologies such as XML and content approaches such as SCORM. Beacon Interactive Systems is proposing to design and prototype a collaborative repair and maintenance solution for HM&E activities. The solutionwould be an intelligent job performance work environment that offers contextual access to the correct information for the proper personnel as it is needed in the performance of critical tasks. Once fully deployed, the solution will link the chain ofcommand, individual sailors, ships, depots and OEM's to the web of data and knowledge necessary for the timely and efficient maintenance and repair of ships systems. We envision a distributed computing environment that reduces workload and increasesperformance and efficiency by helping get the job done. The structure of the solution includes many areas of functionality, including:- Reduced workloads while enabling a higher quality of repair and less rework- Management of information overload through just-in-time knowledge presentation- Secure collaboration across boundaries- A high level of decision support and reporting- Knowledge capture and organizational learning from feedback- Seamless integration and system interoperability with other computing systems- Effective management of COTS refresh issues- Management of the data and information sharing needs driven by the outsourcing of repair and maintenance work to third-party vendors and the original equipment manufacturersBeginning with the US Navy and the DD(X) acquisition program, we expect to conduct a two-fold approach to the market place. First will be Governmental Agencies and Prime Contractors, primarily within the Department of Defense. At the same time, we expectto target certain private industry sectors that would benefit in ways that are similar to the US Navy. The initial commercial markets to be targeted include transportation, equipment and device manufactures, and infrastructure suppliers. Over time, wewill expand our vertical market offerings and target additional opportunities. Our goal is to enable our target companies to leapfrog to new capabilities without going through a cycle of custom developed solutions.