* Software to manage equipment maintenance
Many, many years ago, when PCs were a lot newer to the world and I was slightly younger (I claim reverse dog years), I remember my father came up with the idea of software to manage equipment maintenance. Coming from the aircraft industry, he knows a thing or two about large-scale engineering maintenance. Being busy with other things, I failed to get around to researching the market and, well, I wish I had.
Now such a product is available in various implementations and the latest platform is one of the most interesting: As a Web application.
The Enigma 3C Platform (3C apparently stands for “content, commerce, collaboration”) from Enigma (see editorial links below) is pretty much what my father envisioned but with common browser access. The product is J2EE n-tier server application using XML formatted data and you can see screen shots in the product brochure.
There are three modules: Enigma 3C Doc, Enigma 3C Catalog, and Enigma 3C Collaboration.
The Enigma 3C Doc module is for automating the creation and deployment of a product encyclopedia, which combines service manuals, service bulletins, technical updates and other product information into a single coherent database.
The Enigma 3C Catalog does for illustrations what the 3C Doc module does for documents. It is designed for incorporation “into parts, service and support processes and being integrated with existing back-office systems at manufacturers, customers and channel partners.”
The third part, Enigma 3C Collaboration, provides collection and distribution of “new methods, best practices and emerging problems.” This allows users to attach notes and comments directly to the service information and catalogs created through the other modules to provide an ongoing and evolving knowledge base.
The modules are coordinated through a workflow system and Engima also supports regular PC-based browsers as well as wireless and standalone distribution of content via CD ROM and the ability to print any and all content. There’s even an SDK for integration with other software.
Implementation is done through systems integrators and there are some very impressive clients including Japan Airlines, KLM, Volvo, Mazda, Bobcat, Ingersoll-Rand, and the U.S. Navy.
Enigma has just announced that it has struck a long-term agreement with United Airlines. Enigma says United will use the Enigma 3C Platform to deliver critical service and parts information for the airline’s entire fleet of aircraft in real time to the company’s 5,400 Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) around the world.
My Dad will be impressed.
Footnote 1: Engima is another company that wants you to register before it gives you any more detailed information – in Enigma’s case, this is for access to the module fact sheets and the detail of any of its “Resources.” Tell me why you would put a speed bump in the way of my interest? Why should I give you my details so you can sell to me when I have no idea whether I am interested in what you have to sell? Can someone explain why this is a good idea?
Footnote 2: When you look at Enigma’s PDF-based brochure note that there is content that isn’t found on the Web site – for example, the screen shots. Why would you create useful sales material that is really easily found? Why would you disable the ability to copy text from your PDF brochure?
