ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE AND NAVAL AVIATION

With the Department of Defense (DoD) community facing declining budgets, reductions in workforce, and a shrinking business base, re-thinking of traditional methods of doing business is necessary. As part of the larger Federal government initiative, DoD has adopted Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to improve its mission effectiveness and reduce operating costs. EDI is the paperless exchange of business information using standard, transaction-based formats. The EDI standard details how to format electronic messages that transmit information usually found on purchase orders, invoices, and other documents. The benefits of EDI to Naval Air Systems (NAVAIR) are more than just reducing paperwork, eliminating data entry errors, and receiving more timely data. EDI is a methodology to streamline functional processes; increase visibility of requirements to commercial activities; increase productivity through reduced cycle times; reduce material inventories, and develop electronic linkage from Navy information systems to DoD trading partners. This paper examines the technology of EDI, its uses, benefits, and explores some of the opportunities for EDI applications in the NAVAIR community such as: maintenance and engineering; procurement; and financial management.