The Gateway

Since 2003, MC4 has largely coordinated the fielding of 30,000 ruggedized systems to 750 units throughout 14 countries by way of pen, paper, and a flurry of phone calls and emails. Ironic, considering our mission focuses on streamlining processes through digitization.

During the past six years, MC4 has tracked the continuous movement of MC4 equipment to and from theater using appropriate, yet outdated, methods. To some degree, this has led to some miscommunication between PMO staff and MC4 members in the field responsible for coordinating fielding efforts to deploying units.

In December 2008, we began utilizing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools and resources to evaluate the supply chain processes, uncovering solutions that would improve our asset visibility and coordination efforts. In May 2009, we rolled-out new business processes, reducing communication pitfalls and significantly improving our fielding and tracking processes.

First, we redefined roles and responsibilities to handle Government Furnished Property (GFP) and produced a new, documented process for ordering GFP. Next, we ditched our notepads and pens in favor of the Army’s Web-based property accountability system, Property Book Unit Supply Enhanced (PBUSE).

I’m proud to say that through LSS-driven improvements, we have improved our total asset visibility and accountability of all GFP to and from theater. Making this change will result in better coordination between our program office, Army partners and most important—the users.

The 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion (MMB), one of two battalions that will be responsible for overseeing the medical mission in Iraq, included MC4 in their deployment preparations during a certification exercise last month.

Led by unit Commander Lt. Col. Keith Rigdon, members of the 61st MMB became certified in the use of MC4 to better familiarize themselves with the battlefield EMR and medical logistics systems they will use and support downrange.

This is an example of the pre-deployment training MC4 offers. To coordinate pre-deployment training for your unit, complete the training request form on the MC4 Web site.

Hooah to the unit for taking the extra initiative to employ the “train as you fight” model prior to boots hitting the ground!

On July 16, the Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) in Tobyhanna, Pa., opened their Depot Maintenance of the Future (DMOF), a 10,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility used to support many ongoing military missions worldwide.

TYAD’s role in the MC4 mission is to image MC4’s ruggedized laptops, servers and other systems with electronic medical record (EMR) and medical logistics software, and then to ship the systems to designated units. TYAD personnel also provide MC4 repair assistance, as needed.

The modernization of this new facility means that our systems will not only be included in one of the most cutting-edge integration facilities the Army has to offer, but a more streamlined approach to system integration and repair.

In the new facility, TYAD personnel devised a method to image up to 24 MC4 laptops at the same time. This saves considerable time and resources compared to one or more people feeding a disc into each machine and monitoring the prompts. Even the heart of the MC70 handhelds, the SD cards, can be formatted in bunches.

The facility also has a unique, flexible workspace that includes conveyor belts to ease the movement of equipment and computer terminals at every workstation for immediate access to technical documentation. Depending on the mission and workflow, staff can adjust the tools and workstations to get the job done faster and better.

I’m excited about this effort and look forward to seeing high returns—delivering systems quicker and more efficiently to deployed medical forces.