No abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe aspects of content sharing within e‐maintenance, with a view to merging the two areas of maintenance and ICT in a content management perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is an explorative literature study covering aspects of ICT. The analysis is founded on theories related to maintenance and maintenance support. The conclusions of the study are corroborated by experiences from earlier software development and testing.FindingsMost existing contributions to the e‐maintenance debate seem to suffer from too wide a gap between data processing and knowledge management. This tendency can be due to too great a focus on data collection, without any clear identification of the stakeholders' requirements. Hence, a mature e‐maintenance solution should focus on the enhancement of service‐oriented information logistics based on content sharing for an output‐based information strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the needs of content format and transformation content, which includes data format, data structures and data type for objects that are relevant for the maintenance process. Hence, further research could include aspects of infrastructure and service architecture, which are on a higher level of an e‐maintenance solution.Practical implicationsThe paper contributes with knowledge that supports decisions about content format in the development of an e‐maintenance solution. This can in turn support a reduction of maintenance‐related hazards through the improved use of ICT.Originality/valueThis paper describes the importance of content management within the e‐maintenance approach. Hence, the paper has implications for both practitioners and researchers as described above.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe a taxonomy for an eMaintenance management framework (eMMF) based on a service-oriented approach, in order to facilitate the development of information and communication technology (ICT)-based maintenance support services aimed at actors within the maintenance process related to complex technical industrial systems. Design/methodology/approach -To fulfil this purpose, a case study of a modern multi-role combat aircraft is selected as an appropriate research strategy and supported by a literature study. Empirical data are collected through interviews, workshops, document studies, and observations. A framework is developed and evaluated using a prototype within the studied case. The study is performed in close cooperation with the aircraft's type certificate holder and the customer representative and operator in one country. Findings -The proposed eMMF aids in the identification and development of ICT-based maintenance support services tailored for specific maintenance actors and their activities.Research limitations/implications -To further test the usefulness of the proposed framework, a larger scale application must be performed. This can involve additional stakeholders or a larger part of the technical system in the selected case, or another case dealing with complex technical industrial systems. Practical implications -The proposed framework supports the identification of required information services that support the maintenance process, which in turn supports the development of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) aimed at proper maintenance information logistics. Hence, people working with information logistics for maintenance purposes can use the framework as a support tool. Originality/value -The proposed framework combines a process and service-oriented approach, which facilitates the development of SOA-based information services by giving valuable input to more traditional system-oriented approaches.

Little is known about of how software embedded in complex industrial technical systems is maintained. In this paper, we identify industrial maintenance process steps and position software maintenance activities within them. We do this in the context of JAS 39 Gripen, a multi-role combat aircraft developed by Saab.

No abstract