June 6, 2019
What is operational readiness maintenance (MCO)?
Maintenance in Operational Condition (MOC) is a preventive strategy aimed at ensuring the availability and proper functioning of materials, equipment, and infrastructure throughout their life cycle. In other words, it involves inspecting, maintaining, and even repairing them. MCO encompasses the replacement of defective parts, fault diagnosis, documentation, training, and more. Its applications are numerous and span all sectors of activity (defense, transportation, energy, construction, retail, etc.). However, today, the term is primarily used in the defense sector, where the availability and proper functioning of equipment are of the utmost importance.
MCO Software: An Essential Tool for MCO
There are many software programs available for managing equipment maintenance, operations, and repairs (MOC). In fact, MOC can involve more than 10,000 pieces of equipment, which is why rigorous, computerized tracking is necessary. These software programs make it possible, among other things, to plan maintenance operations in advance, create backups of completed tasks, and perform product updates…
RFID: For More Efficient MCO Management
RFID facilitates the efficient management of MCO. In fact, one of the requirements for effective equipment tracking is to identify each item with a unique code. With RFID, all equipment can be equipped with an RFID tag, allowing it to be assigned a unique identification number. Using fixed RFID re readers —such as a gate—or mobile re readers like PDAs, tablets, or smartphones, it is possible to identify multiple pieces of equipment equipped with tags in just a few seconds. It is also possible to record in the tag’s chip any maintenance activity performed on the equipment on a given date. Up-to-date maintenance procedures can be stored there in digital format. In addition, RFID is adaptable to a wide range of environmental and mechanical conditions: outdoor environments, extreme temperatures, chemicals, and more. There are tags designed to withstand specific conditions with lifespans of several decades.
MCO Software & RFID Technology
CMO software and RFID technology work hand in hand. In fact, some CMO software is specifically designed to use RFID technology. Fixed RFID readers s or mobile terminals used by field operators transmit the information contained in the tags attached to assets, infrastructure, or equipment. This data is then processed by the software.
Whether in the defense, transportation, or energy sectors, it is essential to detect technical and mechanical anomalies very quickly. The quality, reliability, and safety of equipment are major concerns that cannot be overlooked. As infrastructure becomes increasingly complex, the implementation of RFID technology coupled with MCO software facilitates the tracking and sharing of information. For example, in the military and civil aviation industries, aircraft and equipment are identified using high-capacity UHF tags that store maintenance procedures. This enables error-free identification, maintenance, repair, and tracking of overhauls.
As a result, RFID helps optimize the maintenance of materials, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure they remain in operational condition.
Do you have an MCO transformation plan? AXEM Technology can help you choose the tags and readers that are right for your business.